Wanderers v Tambo

Wanderers Tour 2023

19 August 2023 at Tambo Cricket Ground

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.

18 August was a travel day dropping in at Muckadilla (The Mucka Pub), Mungallala (Club Hotel and a game of cricket with Alex and Jess of the Mungallala Primary School) and Morven (Sadlier’s Waterhole Hotel) on the way to Tambo (Tambo Mill Motel, Royal Carrangarra Hotel).

It was back to cricket on Saturday 19th, with some coaching for local kids followed by a 35 over contest v Tambo. Wanderers were back in their customary batting first position and were off to a good start, taking 35 from the first six, before a couple of quick wickets set the innings back a little. From that point it was the Connor Nowlan and Chad Soper show. The pair thundered their way to a beautifully balanced partnership of 184 from 129 balls bringing up 50 in 47 balls, 100 in 85 balls, and 150 in 112 balls. Both brought up centuries - Nowlan off 75 balls and Soper off 79 balls - before retiring in the 29th and 30th overs respectively. Wanderers going on to post 5/258 from 50 overs. Andrew Turnbull took the bowling honours for the hosts with 2/37 from 6.

In reply, Tambo were 0/3 off two before Dougal Doery and James Webber exploded in the third; smashing 16 before Webber got a top edge to keeper, Chris Leonard, off Matt Williamson. Playing for the hosts, Jamo Allan came to the crease and calmly deposited Williamson over the boundary from his first delivery; Tambo 1/25 from three overs. Allan continued his belligerent start, contributing 30 to a partnership of 41 in 18 balls, before Doery fell victim to another Leonard catch; this time off Shane Wyatt. At 2/60 from 6, Tambo were well in the game. A partnership of 100 from 80 balls between Allan and Tambo skipper, Alex Josefski, kept Tambo in the hunt until the 19th over when Allan reached a sparkling century from 67 balls and retired. From that point wickets fell regularly. Of note was an amazing juggling catch on the cow corner boundary by (ironically) Jamo Allan. Leaping high, dropping the ball and clutching it into his mid-riff/thigh as he fell just inside the boundary. When it’s your day, it’s your day 😁. Connor Nowlan capped off a hot day with the bat with two wickets in two overs and Allan featured again with a catch on the boundary on the other side of the field to dismiss the stubborn Josefski on 48, three overs from the close. Tambo getting to 7/215 from their 35 overs. Connor Nowlan’s 2/12 from 4 was the pick of the bowling figures. Chad Soper with 1/20 from 5 and Robert O’Keeffe 1/29 from 7 also bowled well.

Wanderers stalwart and President, Brad Murphy and Tambo’s Alex Josefski exchanged Thank Yous. Brad also presented Alex with a bottle of wine for Opposition Player of the Match.

BIG thanks to Josh Phelps and the crew at Mary and Martha’s cafe for cooking the lunches at late notice.

The Mucka Pub at Muckadilla burned down in 2019, but has been re-imagined into a stylish new venue.

Thanks to Christy for her hospitality.

A brief stop in Mitchell and lunch at the Mitchell Bakery

The remote town of Mungallala has a total of five children enrolled at school. Wanderers were privileged to have a game of cricket with Alex and Jess who were there on the day. Fantastic moments.

The Club Hotel features memorabilia from many previous tours.

The Mungallala recreation ground’s first golf hole dog-legs to the left!