BEECHWORTH star Jarod Thomson says his side must bowl in partnerships to give it the best chance of winning today’s grand final against Bruck at Norm Minns Oval.
Thomson has formed a potent partnership with Richie Worcester this season, with the Wanderers’ quicks taking a staggering 70 wickets between them.
The recently crowned WDCA bowling average winner — he has taken 37 wickets at 10.65 — said holding up one end on a batsman-friendly pitch would not be enough.
“Teams lose if they don’t bowl in partnerships,” the 28-year-old said.
“You have to keep the intensity on the batsmen.
“You can’t have one guy getting smashed and the other getting maidens.
“You have to put pressure on the batsmen and make them make a mistake.”
Beechworth has prided itself on bowling pressure this season, and it’s reflected in the statistics.
While Thomson and Worcester have taken most of the wickets, Matt Ryan (17 scalps), Jaecob Tolley (16) and Matt Hunt (11) have been an outstanding support cast.
In a show of its bowling strength, Beechworth has restricted its past four opponents to just 126, 122, 119 and 132.
Thomson admitted the Wanderers didn’t know what to expect against Bruck, with the clubs meeting for the first time this season.
“We haven’t played each other so that can be an advantage or disadvantage,” he said.
“We are coming in with a bit of form with the bat and Richie and myself have taken a few wickets.
“Hopefully we can catch them off guard.”
That’s exactly what WDCA representative Thomson has done in his first season at the club.
But relocating from Sydney with his partner hasn’t been easy.
“We both came down unemployed.
“Fingers crossed we got work, and we did.”