Churchie v Wanderers

27 September 2024 at Old Boys Oval No. 1

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 headed west  to Quilpie, via Bowenville, Mitchell and Charleville, then looped back via Cunnamulla, St George, Thallon and Warwick.
Apart from the cricket, the tourists were 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 for the 2025 tour; details to come.

With Churchie Firsts hosting visiting McLean College (Auckland) on the main oval, Wanderers took on a Churchie First XI aspirants squad. Conditions were overcast and chilly with start of play delayed till 10:30 due to overnight rain. Grounds staff did a great job to have grounds ready for play.

Batting first, Souths’ Sam Geyer and Wynnum Manly’s Jordan Kingdon (46) got Wanderers off to a great start with a 123 run partnership from the first 22 overs. Geyer went on to 111 from 101 balls including 9 fours and 5 sixes to provide the platform for a formidable 297 from a full 45 overs. For Churchie, Charlie Conway bowled beautifully to concede just 8 runs from four overs. Henry Peters picked up 2/23 from 4 and brother Angus 1/10 from 3. Rafa Schroor and Shoubhit Jain also picked up wickets. Sam Drinnen pouched a couple of good catches in the field. The heavens opened just as Wanderers completed their innings, players and officials scampering toward School House, a magnificent venue for a sumptuous lunch.

Play recommenced just before 2:30pm. Churchie were under the pump early as Valley youngster, Carson Thorne, helped himself to wickets in the first and third overs. Sam Drinnen and Liam Stieper added a solid 56 for the 3rd wicket; Steiper top-scoring with 35 from 49 balls. Prince Lucky (2/16) and Nissan Saroya (1/9) bowled beautifully in tandem, conceding just 24 runs for 3 wickets from 13 overs. Noah Vojinov came in for a bit of “stick” in a partnership of 38 from 37 between Shoubhit Jain (18) and Will Souter (30), but redeemed himself with a couple of wickets and a direct-hit run out. Jordan Kingdon chimed in with 2/16 from 5.3 overs and Kobie Richmond capped off a sparkling 23 from 12 at the end of the Wanderers innings with superb ground fielding and two catches.

Big thanks to umpires, Grant Ebbers and Br. Chris Pritchard and well done to all for defeating the weather and completing a full game of cricket… May there be more.