Emerging Old Students cricketer Oscar Lambourn credited his match-winning spell of bowling to a touch of luck as he ripped through Notre Dame-St Brendan’s to claim staggering figures of 6-18.
The talented top-order bat was called upon to help his side defend its first innings total of 8-175 and after not contributing a large score with the bat — made it a priority to get his side over the line with ball in hand.
The fair-haired teenager covered in zinc ripped apart the Tigers’ batting order as he steered Students to a comfortable 41-run victory at Kialla.
“A bit of luck. I just walk in and hope it lands on the wicket and spins,” Lambourn said with relief.
“I’m mainly focused on my batting, but as soon as I don’t do well with the bat I’m keen to get in the field and do my best.
“When I’m thrown the ball I love it and I try to get as many wickets as I can to do something well for the team.”
With the Tigers looking to build a partnership after an early wicket, Lambourn spun his way into the history books.
His first wicket came in his second over, but it was his third over that really turned heads.
Lambourn collected a stunning double-wicket maiden which slumped the Tigers to 4-50, not long after he collected his fourth scalp and catapulted his side into a commanding position.
Once his spell ended the Tigers were able to rally again, but Sam O’Brien called upon his strike bowler and two balls into his new spell he struck again — this time dismissing the dangerous Gemma Boyd (21 runs).
His sixth and final wicket came in his seventh over which delivered him his career-best bowling figures and a player-of-the-match medal to sit alongside his premiership silverware.
After a handful of premierships, all with his junior club, Lambourn believed Sunday’s under-16A decider ranked chief amongst the rest.
“We’ve lost a couple of times to Notre, it’s always us against them and it’s good to get a win, especially being our last junior game together,” he said.
“It’s been a long summer, but a really good experience to play at a higher level each week, it’s been a pretty good development for future years.
“I just focus on each game and we’ll see where it takes me.”