TGS v Wanderers
1 December 2023 at Mills Oval Toowoomba Grammar
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.
The day started brilliantly at Toowoomba, but grew increasingly gloomy in both cricket and climatic terms!
It’s fair to say that the Wanderers side was under-strength, but the TGS side was formidable, holding Wanderers to just 99 from 36 overs. Skipper, Lee Watts, was the only one to offer resistance in an all too brief 36 from 38 balls. All the TGS bowlers picked up wickets with Dom Black, Baxter Tzannes and Connor Walker picking up two each. The fielding was faultless with Wanderers made to work hard for every run.
In reply, the TGS batsmen put Wanderers to the sword, reeling in the target in just 9.2 overs. 93 from 45 balls to Connor Walker went well with his two wickets and would normally stand out on any scorecard if not for the 93 from 33 balls by Headley Donges which included 10 sixes and one over of 32! Luke Tulacz was unlucky with the bat for Wanderers, but shone in the field with three very good catches and a run out. Lachlan Drummond toiled bravely with the ball in the face of the Donges onslaught and was rewarded with three wickets. TGS went on to compile a massive 348 from 31 overs before the light deteriorated in the prelude to a magnificent storm which chased the visitors all the way down the range and home to Brisbane!
Wanderers president, Brad Murphy, was magnanimous in his praise for the Toowoomba Grammar lads for their performance and humble attitude. TGS has been a great supporter of Wanderers games and one hopes that the tradition continues into the future.
Well done to all and yes what a magnificent storm!