By David Marshall
This weekend saw a range of results for the Wandin Cricket Club, with strong performances and areas to improve as they head toward the end of the year. Let’s dive into the action across the four senior teams.
1st XI: Battling the Ladder Leaders
The 1st XI faced a tough assignment, travelling away to take on top-of-the-ladder Ainslie Park. Winning the toss, Wandin elected to bat first. Bryce Edwards, in stellar form, opened the batting but was without his usual partner Jamie Atkinson. With a reshuffled order, the innings got off to a shaky start as wickets fell regularly around Bryce, leaving Wandin struggling at 4 down early.
A crucial partnership developed when Joel Galvin joined Bryce at the crease. Joel played with confidence, crafting a solid 25 before being dismissed, and while Captain Rick Painter chipped in with a gritty 13, the team struggled to build partnerships. Bryce, adapting his typically aggressive approach to anchor the innings, carried his bat deep, scoring a well-earned 60 before being dismissed in the penultimate over. Wandin finished with 151, a total that would demand disciplined bowling to defend.
With the ball, Wandin started strongly. Taylan Hall (1/54) struck early, claiming the first wicket with the score on 19. Ainslie Park then built a solid partnership to reach 70 before a flurry of wickets, with Joel Galvin (2/22) and Mitch Kogleman (2/18) both striking twice, bringing Wandin back into the game. At 6/131, the game was in the balance, but a composed partnership from Ainslie Park’s lower order saw them chase down the target with 10 overs to spare.
The match highlighted ongoing struggles in the middle order, which will be a key focus as the team prepares for the second half of the season.
Women’s 1st XI: Fighting Spirit in Tough Conditions
The Women’s 1st XI faced a strong North Ringwood side in an away T20 match. Losing the toss, Wandin was sent in to bat on a slow outfield, with North Ringwood’s fielders applying pressure from the outset. Charlotte Edwards and Gayle Burgi got the team off to a steady start, but Charlotte’s dismissal for 10 while trying to lift the scoring left Wandin needing to rebuild.
Olivia Edwards showed intent with a quick-fire 13 off six balls, but when she fell with the score on 56, the remaining batters found it challenging to accelerate. Bee Cuddon held her ground, finishing unbeaten on 16, but Wandin’s total of 81 left plenty to do with the ball.
The bowlers came out firing. Olivia Edwards struck early, removing a North Ringwood opener with the score on 7. Steady partnerships kept the opposition ticking along, but Wandin’s attack continued to fight. Charlotte Edwards (1/11) and Lisa Vanderzee (1/22) chipped in with key wickets, while Tilly Pearce delivered an exceptional spell, taking 2/7. Nyree George kept the pressure on, conceding just 8 runs in her two overs.
Despite the valiant effort, North Ringwood passed Wandin’s total with a couple of overs to spare. A stronger total could have turned this into a much tighter contest. With improvements in running between the wickets and building partnerships, the team will be ready for the next encounter.
2nd XI: Top Spot Secured
The 2nd XI played host to St Andrews, third on the ladder, in what was a critical match for ladder positions. Losing the toss, Wandin was sent in to bowl, but the team was up for the challenge.
Jason Kneebone (1/18) struck early, removing an opener with the score on 19. The turning point came in the next over when Ethan Alderman produced a spectacular caught-and-bowled to dismiss their main batter, who was averaging over 100 this season. From there, regular wickets kept St Andrews in check, with contributions from Jarrod Dobson (1/14) and Julian Polido (1/20). Pick of the bowlers was Ethan, continuing his dominance, finishing with 3/19 from 7 overs, supported by tight bowling from Dave Thorne and young Jed Leckie. St Andrews was restricted to 137, a total Wandin fancied chasing.
The opening pair of Dave Marshall and Dave Thorne laid a strong foundation, putting on 79 for the first wicket. Marshall departed for a well-made 24, but Thorne kept the momentum going, accelerating the scoring and reaching a run-a-ball 68 before being dismissed. Jarrod Dobson smashed 32 off just 21 balls, and with support from Matty Owens, the team comfortably passed the target with 14 overs to spare.
This dominant win pushed the 2nd XI to the top of the ladder, setting up a tantalizing top-of-the-table clash next week.
3rd XI: Building Momentum
The 3rd XI travelled to Yarra Junction brimming with confidence after their first win of the season last week. Bowling first, the team delivered a solid all-around performance. Wickets were shared among the bowlers, with Trent Richards (1/49), Gordo Gosland (1/26), Peter Vaughan (1/37), and Archie Brown (1/26) all chipping in. Leigh Curwood, returning to the club for his first match of the season, bowled superbly, conceding just 18 runs in his 6-over spell. Was great to see Leigh back in the whites at the club. Young debutant Kai Lowrie also impressed, showing promise in his 2-over spell.
Chasing 199, Wandin’s batters built partnerships at key moments. Peter Vaughan (17) and Gordo Gosland (50 retired) gave the team a strong start. Paddy Laws added a quick 29, hitting his first ball for six—then did something his teammates have never seen before – he blocked a ball. Myles Rayner (37) and Captain Greg Foden (30 not out) continued the momentum, and contributions from Ralph Peet (11) and Leigh Curwood (20) saw the team home for their second consecutive win.
The 3rd XI is hitting their stride, and with games against lower-ranked sides coming up, they are primed for a late-season charge toward finals.
Looking Ahead
The weekend showcased the highs and lows of cricket. The 2nd XI continues to dominate, taking top spot on the ladder, while the 3rd XI’s back-to-back wins signal a promising resurgence. Both the 1st XI and Women’s 1st XI showed fight against tough opponents, with lessons to build on as the season progresses.
A big congratulations to all players for their efforts, and as the final games of the year approach, there’s plenty to be optimistic about across the club. Go Wandin!
