Rugby's slow start to the season hadn't caused any panic among the more experienced members of the side but a first win for the season on Saturday has been tipped to provide a huge boost for the younger players.
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Rugby got its RSL-Whitney Cup campaign up and running in thrilling fashion on Saturday, defeating Macquarie by just one run in a match which was in the balance right up to the final ball.
The Shepherd father-and-son duo of Glenn and Lawson was key in the win, as the former made 70 not out to help his side get out of trouble and post 8/207 while the latter picked up two vital wickets early on before returning to bowl a near-perfect final over when Macquarie needed just four to win.
"We've been close but to now know you can do it, that's the biggest thing," Glenn Shepherd said after the win.
"We've had opportunities and a few of us older blokes with that bit more experience knew we weren't far away."
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Glenn described Lawson's final over "as a pretty big effort" given the teenager hadn't bowled in the innings since his new ball spell.
"He was a bit short early on but it turned out to be masterstroke from 'Hilly' (Rugby captain Jacob Hill)," Glenn said.
"They only needed four but he bowled six very quick balls and they were nice and full.
"At the end it was just all about cutting off what we could and building pressure."
Earlier in the match it was Rugby who was feeling the pressure.
Ben Strachan did the damage with the new ball for the Blues, picking up the key wickets of Hill (12) and Ben Wheeler (24) on his way to finishing with 3/20 from his eight overs.
When the older Shepherd came to the crease it was 4/102 and a partnership was key.
Aidan Bennewith (18) departed next over but in Nathan Munro there was support.
"We'd lost a few but it was a good pitch to bat on," Shepherd said.
"We just worked on turning the strike over and knowing the fours would take care of themselves.
"We just had to manipulate the field a bit and it worked out. Nath and I put on a nice little partnership.
"We were both buggered but it was good to see."
Shepherd hit five boundaries and three sixes in his knock of 70 not out while Munro's 22 also proved valuable.
Macquarie's run chase began well as Jason Green and Rickey Medway took nine from the first over but Lawson Shepherd had the last laugh.
The teen tearaway removed both and when fellow youngster Darcy Chewings knocked over Strachan (8) Rugby found themselves on top.
But the shifts of momentum hadn't stopped there and in Myles Smith the Blues found someone to get themselves back on track.
Smith produced a fine knock and kept the scoreboard ticking over on his way to making 79.
Munro (1/49) removed him and while Hugh Sienkiewicz (38) kept the Blues firmly in the hunt they fell agonisingly short.
Lawson Shepherd only allowed two off the final over when four was needed and a late run-out sealed Rugby's breakthrough win as Macquarie finished at 7/206.