ROWAN Scott stepped away from cricket after the summer of 2014-15 but as finals roll around each season he starts to miss the competitive challenge and playing alongside his teammates.
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“When finals come round that itch grows even more,” he said. “You miss playing with a really good close bunch of mates.”
Scott was a notable finals performer having carried his bat to score a memorable 154 not out for Bullants in the 2011-12 A Grade grand finals against Rup-Minyip.
He said despite the big score it was a weird feeling after the game as Rup-Minyip successfully chased down a target of 312 with seven balls to spare on the second day.
“I’d had a really poor year with the bat but maybe I’d been saving it all up for the finals,” he said.
Through the regular season Scott had scored just 149 from 11 innings. A score of 51 in the season’s opening round and 42 in the final round inflated the numbers before he hit his straps in finals.
“That year I had fallen into some bad habits technically and I think I’d figured them out by the end of the season,” he said. “It certainly made a difference with my last couple of knocks – I think it was mainly my bat grip.”
He scored 82 in his side’s comfortable semi-final win against Homers before continuing to lift in the grand final a week later.
“I always played the anchor role at the top of the order and it was Ben Anson who came in later to hit some quick runs to really lift our total,” he said. “I accumulated runs mainly through one and twos but mostly just blocked the balls. I suppose it was satisfying but it certainly left a weird feeling.”
You are only ever one batting collapse away from winning a final and anyone can have a good day.
- Rowan Scott
The following day it looked as though the Bullants were in a strong position early. Rup-Minyip needed 152 to win when it lost its sixth wicket before Paul Morgan hit an unbeaten 114 and Dan Schaper managed 47 to help lift their side over the line.
“The great thing about finals is that you just don’t know what will happen,” he said.
“It’s one of the things I really like about cricket – even if you finish fourth you still give yourself a pretty good chance.
“You are only ever one batting collapse away from winning a final and anyone can have a good day.”
While the 2011-12 season did not end favourably for Scott he still enjoyed plenty of success. He won a pennant premiership with Toolondo-Clear Lake in 1995-96 and the side took out A Grade in 2007-08. He was lucky enough to be involved in a third grand final triumph in 2010-11 with the Bullants.
“Those grand final wins were great highlights but it was always just about playing with mates,” he said.
Scott now spends his summers on the golf course after deciding to play all year round. He still thinks more people should be involved in cricket.
“It’s just a great game and a great way to spend a summer afternoon,” he said. “The people you play with become your lifelong friends.
“You’ve always got something in common with them and even though it might be a few years down the track you meet up again and pick up from where you left off – they’re just like an old school friend.
“Otherwise it’s 40 degrees and really hot out in the field and you can think of better things to do.”