RUGBY Union certainly doesn't have the fastest bowling attack in the Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket competition, but this season they are proving that there's no need for speed.
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At the midway point of the season three Rugby bowlers sit in the top five wicket takers list - Jeremy Thackray, Percy Raveneau and Sam Macpherson.
It is Thackray, who laughs that he doesn't have the pace to cause headaches, who tops the list with nine victims at an average of 9.78.
Topping the BOIDC list is not something he has previously done, but for Thackray it is more about doing a job for his team than any individual recognition.
"It's probably not my goal, I just aim to bowl well for the team. Obviously I'm happy I'm bowling well, but that's just a thing that's happened I suppose," he said.
"I feel like I've bowled well in a few games, but I think the last game was pretty average, the one when we had CYMS and they rolled us. But it's felt good, I'm getting it consistently in the same spot and getting a lot of nicks, which is handy.
"I'm definitely not quick enough to cause any trouble, so I just have to put it in a good spot and hope for the best. It's nice to be able to do that for the team, that you're holding up the end and getting a few nicks as well."
Thackray, who also has an impressive economy rate of 2.75 and has bowled 12 maidens, is followed on the list of leading wicket-takers by Raveneau. The slow-medium bowler also has nine victims at an average of 12.67.
Off-spinner Macpherson ranks fifth with eight wickets at 8.38. Thackray said it highlights the value of experience.
"It's nice to see Sammy taking a few wickets. He's had a few years when he's been hit a bit, but he's come out this season and he's thought about his bowling a bit more and what he's doing and he's playing really well for us," Thackray said.
"Percy, he's come through when it's mattered and been really good. He got a four-for against Colts the other week and just takes the wickets when we need it.
"I think we've got a lot of experience, the boys just don't run in and bowl. The whole team's attitude is we know we haven't got the quick bowlers, but either way we can make it hard for the other teams and build pressure and as experienced guys, we can do that well and it's paying off big time.
"It's kept us in second spot so far and hopefully it will hold us in a good spot for the rest of the season."
As Thackray indicated, Rugby currently holds down second spot. The Bulldogs have posted three wins across the four completed rounds, their only loss coming in their just completed two-dayer against Orange CYMS.
Thackray said that record has plenty to do with the attitude of the Rugby squad.
"I think we've taken most of our catches, in the games we've done really well we've taken most of our chances and again that plays a big part, you can't win games if you drop catches," he said.
"Our bunch of guys, we've got a goal and we're all working hard for each other in games, we're all doing the little things right and when we all do those little things right, everything clicks. That's probably the big thing I've noticed with the guys we've got.
"We're happy to be underdogs, I think Pat's have got a better team on paper and I think Cavs have probably got a better team on paper - well maybe not better, but they've got a few really good guys. But we know we've got a great team, we'll just keep doing our thing, we're confident in ourselves and we'll back ourselves.
"We'll keep turning up and making it hard for other teams and we'd like to go a bit better than we last season which was a semi, we'd like to go all the way and I think we've got the team to do it. "
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