Bowenville v Wanderers
15 August 2024 at John Bell Oval, Bowenville
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, St George 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.Given the rain encountered on the drive to Dalby, it was a winter miracle that any play was possible on the first scheduled game of the 2024 Wanderers Tour. The tenacity of Cameron Miers and crew in arranging the game and making play possible was a magnificent effort.
Bowenville is a small township about 30km east of Dalby. John Bell Oval is located on a private property (thank you Graham for the use of the ground) and is the home of the Bowenville Cricket Club. This was a real country experience and this writer LOVED it.
As is their wont, Wanderers “won the toss” and batted. An opening partnership of 72 from 83 balls between James Kleinschmidt and Jared Spies, came to a halt when Josiah Burstow got under a high one on the boundary off the bowling of Kaiden Philp. Burstow was the bowler when Ron Faulks stuck his hand up at gully and plucked one out of the air to send Matt Casey on his way. Kleinschmidt, having brought up a quick fire 50 from 57 balls, retired at the same time, bringing the two Dohertys, Hayden and Tom, together. Their 44 run partnership ended with another Faulks catch, giving Fred Bellert his first wicket. A mis-timed pull shot by Hayden sailed high to short fine leg, where Chris “Gecko” Leonard gloved cleanly to give Kaiden Philp a second wicket and Shane Wyatt, with the unenviable task of facing the final ball, became Kaiden’s 3rd wicket in a 5 over spell of 3/33.
Tight bowling by Jared Spies and Om Bhikadiya at the start of the innings put Bowenville under pressure from the outset. Both picked up wickets to have Bowenville 2/22 (Thank You Ritchie!) at the 10 over mark. James Kleinschmidt chimed in with a sensational C&B in the 11th to make it 3/25. Callum Atchison was introduced in the 14th and was successful immediately, thanks to a fine catch at backward square leg by Samson Fox. Callum followed up the wicket with successive maidens and another wicket in his 3rd over (Kleinschmidt taking the catch) to be 2-1. The 5th wicket brought Cameron Miers to the crease to join Dean Sullivan. The pair added a sprightly 59 from just 48 balls to bring Bowenville back into the match. Another Samson Fox catch, this time off the wily Lance Roudenko, brought an end to the Sullivan/Miers partnership. Sullivan batted on valiantly for a match high 74 from 84 balls (seven 4s and two 6s), before a searing James Kleinschmidt delivery scattered the stumps. Jared Spies picked up a second wicket in the final over; Wanderers home by 28 runs.
A few extra overs were bowled to provide some batting to the lower order.
Post-match, many nice words of gratitude were exchanged to cap off a morst enjoyable day of cricket and camaraderie.
The tourists enjoyed a superb feed at the Bowenville Pub. Many thanks to Leanne and her team.
Next stop for the tourists is Mitchell.
