Wanderers v Roma

Wanderers Tour 2023

17 August 2023 at Colts Oval

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 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 August 2023, the Wanderers Annual Tour will loop around Goondiwindi, St George, Roma, Tambo, Barcaldine, Emerald, Springsure. 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 future tours.

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

Next stop Roma with a short look at Surat on the way. The venue was Colts Oval, a fast and unpredictable outfield. In the previous clash on this field in 2020, 500 runs were scored in a 50 over a side match. This match was to be a 35 over a side affair commencing 1:00pm. Given that the light was an issue at around 5:20 the day before in St George, teams would have to go like the clappers to get 70 overs completed before the gloom intervened.

In a bizarre twist, Wanderers took the field first! A wicket in the first over was a great start for the tourists; Chad Soper taking the edge off Scott Hilton’s bat for Chris Leonard to take the catch behind. Roma skipper, Joe Verney (106 from 66), took over from there; featuring in partnerships of 61 from 63 and 112 from 72 for the second and third wickets - the latter with Ryan Carter who went on to 72 from 53. Roma posted a formidable 6/241 from 35 overs. Chad Soper's 2/28 from 7, including the wicket of century maker Joe Verney, was an impressive return in the face of the onslaught. Jamo Allan also picked up a couple of wickets.

The chase started at 3:30pm with Matt Williamson and James Bidgood setting a solid platform of 65 from 65. A few quick wickets had Wanderers 3/95 before Super Chad and Connor Nowlan smacked 40 from 30 balls. Jamo Allan joined Soper for a run-a-ball 28, but with ten overs to go, Wanderers still needed 82 runs in deteriorating light. Enter Lance Roudenko...Soper and Roudenko added 28 from 22 before Soper, on 45, smacked a full toss straight to cover and watched in anguish as the fielder juggled the ball five times before finally holding on. With 52 needed from 37 balls, Roudenko took charge. Taking 41 from his next 23 balls, in gloomy conditions at best, Lance encouraged, cajoled and whipped his partners into singles, twos and even a three. Chris Leonard partnered Roudenko for 23 from 11 for the 7th wicket and Shane Wyatt 29 from 23 for the 8th wicket; steering Wanderers home for the win with three balls to spare. Yoohoo! Credit to veteran Paul Currin coming in from Chinchilla to take 3/31 for the hosts.

A big thank you to the Roma faithful for their wonderful hospitality and fellowship.

The Cobb & Co Changing Station at Sarat was well worth the look.