BGS v Wanderers

30 November 2023 at Brisbane Grammar Playing Fields, Northgate.

Wanderers was formed in Queensland during 1933 by the then Governor of Queensland, Sir Leslie Wilson, with the aim to encourage young people to play and enjoy the game of cricket. Today the Club plays mid-week matches each Summer, mostly against schools in the State's south-east, and undertakes an annual 10-12 day playing and coaching tour of country centres. Tours in recent years have taken Wanderers west to Eromanga, South to Yetman and North to Charters Towers. 

The Club relies upon its own fund-raising resources and sponsors to finance its activities including supporting youngsters in coaching clinics and on tours.

In August 2023, the Wanderers Annual Tour took in Goondiwindi, St George, Roma, Tambo, Barcaldine, Emerald and Springsure. The 2024 tour will head west to Quilpie, via Mitchell and Charleville, then loop back via Cunnamulla, Dirranbandi and Warwick.
Apart from the cricket, the tourists will be edified by stops at various country pubs and tourist attractions. If you are a cricketer, golfer, lawn bowler or just an avid observer/supporter, please visit the Wanderers Club QLD Inc. Facebook page and register your interest.

It was a brilliant day at the Brisbane Grammar Playing Fields, Northgate for the annual clash between BGS and Wanderers. Wanderers “won” the toss and batted. Sam Geyer and Chris (Gecko) Leonard started off slowly, managing just 27 in the power-play, in the face of some tight bowling by Nick Scott and Hayden Scholes of BGS. Gecko retired himself at Drinks with the score on 44, making way for Zanden Jeh.

It was 1/65 when Zanden misjudged one from Cruz Baker and was bowled in the 20th over. Luke Tulacz joined Geyer and the pair added 22 before Geyer (36) edged skipper Isaac Lutz to Sam Wallwork with the score on the dreaded 87. Connor Nowlan joined Valley club mate, Tulacz and the pair set about improving the run rate in explosive fashion. The 50 partnership took just 17 minutes and 32 balls; Nowlan thundering to 42 from 20 balls, before Will Dreissen stuck a hand out to a vicious drive by Tulacz which deflected onto Nowlan’s stumps at the non-striker’s end. Out of his ground, Nowlan could do no more than trudge to the pavilion. Wanderers 3/150 at drinks.

The younger Jeh, Saxon, joined Tulacz and the pair continued to accelerate the scoring rate. Tulacz brought up 50 in the 38th over off just 46 balls and the 50 partnership came up a couple of overs later from 44 balls. Both partners were given lives in the 45th and 46th overs, but Harry Langdon finally held onto one to dismiss Saxon for 36 off the bowling of Will Dreissen a few balls later. Dreissen backed up that dismissal with another from the very next ball and Wanderers were suddenly 5/241 with 4 overs remaining. Luke Tulacz was finally out for a well-constructed 85 from 71 balls in the 48th over, leaving John de Bahl and Arj Sharma to guide Wanderers to a formidable 266 from their 50 overs; bowled in a creditable 191 minutes!

Sam Geyer and Saxon Jeh were equally miserly in their opening spells restricting BGS to 27 from the first nine overs; Saxon with an enviable 2/10 from his four overs; one of those thanks to a smart catch by brother Zanden at cover. Lachlan Elf and Lucas Bryan added 42 for the 3rd wicket before the introduction of Arj Sharma, who enticed Bryan to loft a drive into the hands of Chris Leonard at Mid-on from the 3rd ball of his first over. Three overs later it was 4/68 when Lee Watts also picked up a wicket from his 3rd ball via a Connor Nowlan catch. A fabulous partnership followed! Isaac Lutz and Sam Wallwork hit 50 from 50 balls, then acclerated to 100 from 95 balls. Wallwork reached 50 from 67 balls in the 39th over and Lutz from 60 balls in the 43rd. The 150 partnership came up a few balls later and at 4/220 with seven to go, the 267 target seemed in reach. Zanden Jeh was re-introduced in the 44th with immediate effect, knocking over Wallwork’s stumps first ball. Ten Balls later Nowlan repeated the dose to Lutz and BGS were 6/225. With 30 to get from the last three, the pressure told and a double strike by Jeh in the 48th reduced BGS to 8/238 and an eventual 249; 17 runs adrift of the Wanderers total.

The game was played in good spirit and both teams were grateful of the outing.