Wanderers v Springsure

Wanderers Tour 2023

23 August 2023 at Springsure

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.

An early (ish) departure from Emerald took the nomads to Springsure and a match versus the Springsure “Ringers”, but first a group of keen youngsters received some quality coaching from Brad Murphy, Lance Roudenko and the Wanderers tourists. 13 year old, Rory Petersen was conscripted to play for Wanderers and acquitted himself well throughout the day.

Facing arguably the best bowling and fielding team of the tour, Wanderers struggled early. Partnerships got started, but were snuffed out before they could take hold. Consequently Wanderers found themselves at 5/119 at the second drinks break. With 17 overs to go, Lance Roudenko joined Chad Soper in a what proved to be a match-turning partnership. Having taken 40 from 50 balls, the pair put the foot down to add 63 from the next 51 balls and guide Wanderers to a competitive 221. The partnership featured exemplary running between wickets and included 40 singles, 8 twos and two 3s. Soper was eventually out in the last over of the day, for 94 from 102 taking his tour tally to a team-high 511. Roudenko’s 42* from 46 added to a collection of valuable lower order knocks which included a trio of not outs and a tour average of 140!

Wanderers needed to bowl well and they did. Jack Gardiner and Jamo Allan traded wickets in the 7th and 10th overs. Then, four wickets in five overs (three to Gardiner and one to Allan) had Springsure reeling at 6/55 at drinks. Gardiner’s 4/18 from 10 overs (4 maidens) took him to the top of the tour bowling stats with 14 wickets at 12.50 Robbie "Buckets" O'Keeffe picked up wickets in the 23rd and 26th overs, including a screamer of a C&B. Alex Dwan mopped up the last two to seal a victory by 92 runs.

Wanderers President, Brad Murphy presented Craig Harms with an award for opposition player of the match and went on to thank organisers and Wanderers tourists for contributing to a successful tour. Springwood skipper, James O’Keeffe also thanked Wanderers for coming out to Springsure and providing players with the opportunity of a game.

Springsure treated Wanderers to a sumptuous dinner at the Springsure Golf Club which was lauded by all.

Well done to all.