Brighton pair Charlie Lowen and Jack Rutter crack centuries against Mt Waverley

BRIGHTON won the toss and batted.

And batted and batted and batted, leaving the Mt Waverley bowlers battered as they piled up 4-350 off 80 overs at Brighton Beach Oval on Saturday.

Englishman Charlie Lowen and Jack Rutter made their first centuries for the club as they collaborated for an 185-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Charlie Lowen used his bat with the same flourish as legendary Melbourne guitarist Charlie Owen, cracking 141 off 191 balls, with 13 fours and 2 sixes.

Rutter, who came up through the Brighton juniors, reached his ton with a two to cover off the second-last ball of the 80-over innings, finishing 101 not out off 106 deliveries. There were 6 fours and 2 sixes for the all-rounder.

Skipper Ricky Damiano contributed 71 from No 3, putting away 10 fours in a 129-ball innings.

Mt Waverley removed Michael Nyary (11) and Charith Cooray (0) cheaply as the ball darted around on a wicket with more than a hint of green, but Damiano and Lowen had a 124-run union for the third wicket, sending the tide running the Tonners’ way at the bayside ground.

It was 22-year-old Rutter’s first century at any level of cricket.

With two overs to go Damiano nipped out to the middle and told him he was on 91.

“Glad he did, because I thought I was on 80,’’ Rutter said.

“I was like, ‘Cheers man’. I was sort of just cruising along, knocking around ones and twos and not really swinging for the fence or anything. Jase McNally was at the other end and he said, ‘I’ll give you the strike and we’ll try to get you there’. Ended up doing it with a single and 4 twos in the last over. Was pretty lucky. I was pretty spent. But, yeah, good feeling. Completely unreal.’’

Rutter has been with Brighton for 14 years, setting out with four seasons at Under 12 level.

He has always been held in good regard, as a bowler and a batsman.

“Everyone keeps saying I’ve got some talent, but yesterday was the best mental application I’ve had in an innings,’’ Rutter, who has just finished an aviation degree, said.

“It was great to bat with (Lowen). He gives you really good insight, keeps you level. He played a massive part in my innings, kept me grounded, kept reinforcing to keep my head.’’

Brighton is celebrating its 175th year and Rutter said the players were determined to make something of it after a few thin years