Ben Rowles’ drought-breaking century, Louis Cameron hat-trick in Brunswick win

Brunswick’s day started with a drought-breaking Ben Rowles century and finished with a stunning Louis Cameron hat-trick in a critical win over Altona.

Ben Rowles during his time at Camberwell Magpies. Picture: Stuart Milligan

It’s been five years since Ben Rowles scored a century and he couldn’t have picked a better time to break his drought.

Rowles’ maiden ton for Brunswick, together with Louis Cameron’s hat-trick, inspired a 32-run win over high-flying Altona at AG Gillon Oval to keep the Wicks in firmly in VSDCA North-West group finals contention.

Rowles brought up three figures for the first time since 2019 for Camberwell Magpies’ First XI against Melbourne.

The Wicks’ opener smashed an unbeaten 122 not out – including eight boundaries and a pair of sixes – from 146 balls.

“It’s been a long time between drinks for me so it was good to contribute to a really good win,” Rowles said.

Ben Rowles during his time at Camberwell. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“It was our best batting for the year and it’s helped by stringing good partnerships together, Jackson Cooper got a nice 50 and then Hilly was able to get going quickly and did the same thing.

“It’s awesome to play with one of your good mates (Hill) and he was a big factor in me coming across to Brunswick.

“It’s really cool to be playing with Hilly and to have a good partnership with him was special and having Dan Rawson here as well.

“It was good to bounce back and beat one of the top teams in Altona, one of the team we hope to play against at the end of the year.”

Rowles’ opening partner Cooper (53) and Brunswick captain – and fellow former Magpie – Hill (64) ensured the home team posted a sizeable 2-272.

In response, Altona were in early trouble as Dan Houghton (2-28) and Matt Doric (1-35) made early breakthroughs to have the visitors 3-36.

Ben Davies (51) and James Grubb (39) steadied the ship before both fell to David Bonavia (3-32) amid a 4-13 collapse.

The momentum swung again as Mitch Grubb (85) and Connor Brown (43) put on a 121-run eighth-wicket partnership to get Altona within reach of victory.

Louis Cameron in action for Brunswick. Picture: George Sal

However, there would be late drama as Louis Cameron snared a hat-trick to wrap up the match – an accomplishment that almost went unnoticed.

The former Victoria quick bowled Brown with the last ball of his eighth over and then removed Grubb and No.11 Tom McConville in consecutive balls in his next over sparking wild celebrations.

“Louis is a big asset for us,” Rowles said.

“He took a bit of time to get back into his work after a long layoff but ended up getting the last three wickets and no one even noticed it was a hat-trick.

“The last one was a screamer, smashed straight back at him and a one-handed caught and bowled, and everyone was going off for the win and the catch he took.

“It wasn’t until we were sitting around having a beer about an hour later that someone texted him saying congrats on the hat-trick to wrap up the game.”

PREMIER: MATCH-WINNING TON PUTS BRASHER ON VIC WATCH

LEADER: GET YOUR SUBBIES CRICKET NEWS HERE

MPCA: BROTHERS TAKE ALL 10 WICKETS IN LOCAL MATCH

Cameron finished with 3-53.

Despite the win, Brunswick remains in eighth position on the North-South group ladder but just three points behind Preston in sixth and only four from Kew in second.

The Wicks’ finals credentials will be tested this weekend as they travel to reigning premier and ladder-leader Spotswood.

The club then plays arch-rival Coburg, Hoppers Crossing, Williamstown and Ivanhoe in the run home.