Thomson nabbed 7-16 off nine overs (four maidens) in the best bowling performance to date in Ballarat Cricket Association club firsts.

However, Thomson and his clubmates were unaware of his match milestone – played against Coronet City in a one-dayer in late January – until later, when club records were checked and tallied.

“I knew it was coming, but wasn’t exactly sure when,” Thomson said.

“There are not too many players that have been around the club the whole time I have been playing – no one in the A-grade.”

Thomson only played half a season or so of cricket as a junior and returned to the game later in a short stint with Lucas before moving to Napoleons, joining its firsts in the 1999-2000 season.

Close friends about the club have kept Thomson pulling on the whites each week.

A determination to succeed and some unfinished business keep him sharpening his delivery in the firsts.

Thomson has played in five losing grand finals with Naps-Sebas’ firsts.

The past three summers have seen the team fall short against Wendouree.

So close to premiership glory, Thomson wants to be playing when Naps-Sebas finally breaks its title match hoo-doo.

Although, with Wendouree and Napoleons-Sebastopol looming as likely top-four contenders, it could mean another play-off showdown against the Red Caps.

Thomson said a new-look Naps-Sebas outfit this season, featuring good young talent, had potential to play well again in finals.

“We’re as good a chance as anyone,” Thomson said.

“I’d like to see us perform a bit better with the bat, but it’s really anyone’s game, especially if we pull out our best cricket as a team.”

Thomson has played with a lot of top cricketers along his journey, plenty about Naps-Sebas have been great support, and he looked forward to seeing how the club would progress next.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au