Brisbane Grammar School v Wanderers
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 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.
In July/August 2023, the Wanderers Annual Tour will loop around Chinchilla, Roma, Tambo, Barcaldine, Emerald, Rolleston, Springsure, Calliope. 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.
The Club relies upon its own fund-raising resources and sponsors to finance its activities including supporting youngsters in coaching clinics and on tours.
28 November 2022 at Brisbane Grammar Playing Fields Northgate
Thankfully the thunderstorm forecast for the day had the good grace to wait until late in the day allowing a full day’s cricket at the beautiful BGS playing fields at Northgate.
Wanderers “won” the toss and elected to bat. There was some movement early which resulted in a few wayward deliveries, but the bowlers settled and the first wicket came for the hosts in the 8th over when Rory Johnston edged Lucas Bryan to Alex Spence to make it 1/29. Scotsman, Fin McCreath joined Jordan Kingdon at the wicket and the pair consolidated nicely to guide Wanderers to 73 at drinks (from a spritely 18 overs!).The 50 partnership came up from 71 balls and then accelerated to 100 in 114 balls; Kingdon bringing up his own 50 along the way. McCreath’s 50 came in the 30th over and the partnership advanced to 139 from 159 balls before both batsmen were retired at the second drinks break with the score on 1/168. Patrick Delahunty and Aaron Joby were tied down by tight bowling and alert fielding by BGS, leading to a false shot and the wicket of Joby - caught by Jock Horton off Ashley Batchelor - in the 38th over. Delahunty and Rohan Sharma combined well in a partnership of 44 over the next 9 overs before they were also retired at the end of the 46th. Wanderers stalwarts, Lee Watts and Sheldon Stackpoole, attempted some big shots, but the BGS death bowling was good and Watts was very well caught on the square leg boundary by Batchelor off the bowling of Sam Brown. Rohan Sharma returned to the wicket for the last over and smacked a six and a four to advance Wanderers to a competitive 245.
Despite an early wicket to Matthew Deen the BGS chase started at a rollicking, run-a-ball pace. Skipper, Brad Mackintosh and Oliver Spence looked in great touch. It was a touch of brilliance in Fin McCreath’s 6th over which brought about the break-through - a great catch by Sheldon Stackpoole in the gully! Five balls later, Deen snuck another one through defences and BGS were 3/68. Jock Horton joined Spence and the pair dominated from the outset. The partnership featured some stylish stroke-play and positive running between the wickets. 25 from 31 at drinks blossomed into 50 from 53 balls shortly after; Spence bringing up his own 50 en-route. Horton’s 50 and the century partnership from just 112 balls came up in the 31st over. Throughout this period, Wanderers’ Rohan Sharma completed a superb 8 over spell of spin bowling for just 21 runs, essentially keeping Wanderers in the game. At the second drinks break, BGS needed 60 from 16 overs for the win. A fine outfield catch in the 37th over by Rory Johnston off the bowling of youngster, Aayan Latif, ended Horton’s innings and the 135 run partnership. Spence completed a fine century from just 110 balls an over later, but then the wheels started to come off for BGS. Bouyed by the wicket of Horton, young Latif settled onto a perfect length and the batsmen struggled to pick the spin. His next five overs returned 4/6. An LBW in the 39th over was quickly followed by two wickets (Bowled and LBW) in the 41st to have BGS floundering on 7/218. The retirement of Oliver Spence on 103 also meant that there were new batsmen at the crease. The 8th wicket and Latif’s 5th (another LBW) fell in the 45th with BGS on 229, still needing 17 runs. Oliver Skerle and Lucas Bryan were up to the task however and guided their team past the target at the end of the 47th over.
A very entertaining day’s play. Players gathered for a group photo with some gracious words of thanks exchanged. Oliver Spence received the Wanderers award for opposition player of the match.
Wanderers next game is 1 December on the range against an always formidable Toowoomba Grammar School.
