By David Marshall
This past weekend was nothing short of extraordinary for Wandin Cricket Club, with all four senior teams securing victories—a feat that hasn’t happened in years. It was a weekend filled with standout performances, gritty determination, and plenty of moments to celebrate. Here’s how the matches unfolded:
1st XI: A Comfortable Win on the Road
The 1st XI travelled to Warranwood, eager to continue their strong form. Winning the toss, Wandin elected to bat first, and the dynamic opening duo of Bryce Edwards and Jamie Atkinson once again showed why they are quickly becoming the club’s version of Langer and Hayden. The pair put on a brilliant 117-run stand, with Bryce scoring 57 and Jamie contributing 52, setting a solid platform for the innings.
However, the middle order struggled to capitalize, with wickets falling regularly every 10 runs or so. Despite the hiccups, Jarrod Dobson provided the late-innings firepower, smashing an unbeaten 33 off just 24 balls to push the total to a competitive 220.
Taking the field, Wandin’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance. The Warranwood batters found it tough to score freely as the run rate required climbed steadily. Taylan Hall was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/21 from his 8 overs. Although Dan, Rory, and Koges didn’t claim wickets, they bowled tight lines, piling on the pressure. Dobby chipped in at the death, finishing with 2/44, though a few dropped catches denied him an even better return. Warranwood was restricted to 169, giving Wandin a relatively comfortable win. Improvements in middle-order batting and catching could make this side even tougher to beat.
Women’s 1st XI: A Dominant Performance
The Women’s 1st XI played at home against Chirnside Park in what proved to be a lopsided affair. Facing a side short on numbers, Wandin seized the opportunity to experiment and rotate the squad. The bowling unit was in fine form, with all bowlers delivering impressive spells. Kirwan Peluso (1/8), Lisa Vanderzee (1/4), and Natalie Lowe (1/3) kept things tight, but it was Kate “Hurricane” Johnstone who stole the show. After her batting heroics last week, Kate shone with the ball, claiming a stunning 3/1.
There were highlights beyond the bowling figures. Lexi Marshall, bowling for the first time in a game of cricket, landed her very first delivery on target, sparking a fantastic run-out with Tilly’s sharp throw to Lexi’s end. The team’s catching and fielding was exceptional, and they have now been booked in to show the men a thing or two about fielding. Chirnside Park was dismissed for just 27 runs.
In reply, Wandin faced an early setback when Natalie Lowe was run out without facing a ball—a cruel moment in cricket. This brought Lexi to the crease for her first-ever innings. While she didn’t score any runs, every one of her eight balls she faced was cheered on by her teammates as if she smashed it to the boundary. Lisa Vanderzee (4*) and Kerry Peet (10*) calmly guided Wandin to victory in the sixth over. It was a dominant win and a great confidence booster for the team.
2nd XI: A Hard-Fought Victory
The 2nd XI hosted Yarra Glen and was sent into the field after losing the toss. A disciplined bowling effort saw regular wickets fall throughout the innings. Jason Kneebone (2/39) and Hamish Lamont (3/24) led the charge with early breakthroughs. Returning from injury, Ethan Alderman bowled exceptionally well, conceding just 8 runs from his 4 overs and picking up a crucial wicket. Junior player Manny Vallence, a late replacement, impressed with figures of 1/11. The standout, however, was Dave Thorne, with 3/18 from 5 overs. Yarra Glen was bowled out for 135—a total that seemed within reach.
However, the chase wasn’t smooth sailing. The top order faltered early, and at 4/66, the game hung in the balance. Ben Galante was the early anchor in the top order making a well-crafted 34, but his dismissal left Wandin at a precarious 6/87. Jack Dowthwaite dug in for well-made 21, but went out to a blinder of a catch leaving us still nervous on 6/87. Captain Julian Polido then stepped up to release the pressure, smashing 25 off just 15 balls in a crucial partnership with Ethan Alderman (22*), who batter with excellent temperament got us to 123 before Julian went out. Their efforts brought the team to the brink of victory, and Wandin eventually crossed the line, eight wickets down, to secure a hard-fought win.
3rd XI: Toppling the Ladder Leaders
The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly the 3rd XI’s thrilling match against ladder leaders Croydon North. Bowling first, Wandin faced a fast-scoring opposition. Tim Thorne struck early, triggering a flurry of wickets to leave Croydon North at 4/66. The game remained evenly poised as the opposition rebuilt with small partnerships. Tom Day (2/36), Gordo Gosland (1/44), and young gun Jed Leckie (1/38) all chipped in, but it was Tim Thorne’s exceptional 4/32 that stood out. Croydon North posted a challenging total of 222.
The chase required resilience and teamwork, and Wandin delivered. Archie Brown (20) and Pete Vaughan (50*) provided a solid start with a 34-run opening stand. Pete’s first half-century for the club was a pivotal moment. Tim Thorne, batting at No. 3, retired on 50 to keep the momentum going. Despite a few stumbles in the middle order, Ralph Peet (22) and Sam Loly (19) added a crucial 36-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
As the game came down to the wire, Wandin found themselves at 8/207. With Tim Thorne returning to the crease, the experienced batter held his nerve and guided the team home in the final over, finishing with a match-winning 67. It was Wandin’s first win of the season and a monumental result against the top side.
A Weekend to Remember
This weekend was a celebration of everything great about Wandin Cricket. From dominant bowling performances to gritty run chases, each team contributed to a historic weekend at the kennel. The 1st XI continued their strong form, the Women’s XI put on a clinic, the 2nd XI showed resilience under pressure, and the 3rd XI pulled off a stunning upset.Congratulations to all players, and supporters who made this weekend so special. The club is buzzing with momentum, and with performances like these, the future looks incredibly bright.
