Local cricket clubs to clash in Remembrance day round

This story was contributed by Joe Di Santo.

This weekend it's Remembrance round in the Murray Towns Cricket Association, which will see Wanderers host Ramblers in the A-Grade at the Showgrounds.

Wanderers will again host the annual Remembrance Day Mateship Perpetual Trophy, from 12.30pm.

The Woo Hoos will be looking for redemption after last year’s defeat to Mannum stopping their three-year reign.

The comeback kids from Le Messurier Oval will be looking to ambush Wanderers hopes and dreams by becoming the second away club in the MTCA to hold the trophy.

Both clubs are showing some promising form early in the season, so this game has the potential to go down to the wire.

The Reds have had a good start to their season since their return to A Grade.

So far, we’ve witnessed some brilliant individual performances from the of likes of Brayden Smith, Bayde Ellis and captian Riley Vanson.

Not to be outdone the Woo Hoos will be looking to steady the ship and will be relying on the inform trio of Ben Trenorden, Tom Watkins and past Di Santo Medallion recipient Cam Cox.

The annual match is in its fifth year; each year the Wanderers Cricket Club host a different club within the MTCA, giving an opportunity for all clubs within the association to participate.

The origins of this game date back to 2016, when the Murray Bridge RSL used to host the ANZAC Sports Carnivale, co-ordinated by former Wanderers player, Joseph Di Santo.

Since 2021, the Wanderers Cricket Club and the Di Santo family have collaborated each year to honour and acknowledge all volunteers that work tirelessly for their clubs as well as all veterans.

In particular, Wanderers acknowledge their veterans who have played for their club since being established over 50 years ago.

These include the club’s inaugural President- Lionel Norton; Vietnam Veterans, Peter Tuxford and Gary Daniel, as well as current serving veterans Ben Bittner, and Charles and Joseph Di Santo, just to name a few.

The player that is deemed man of the match, will be awarded the Di Santo Medallion.

The medallion is named after the Di Santo Family for their contribution to the Australian Defence Force and the game of cricket in the local area.

The Di Santo Medallion is judged on the old Australian Army values of courage, initiative, leadership, and teamwork.

The medallion doesn’t necessarily go the player that scores the most runs, takes the most wickets or takes the most catches.

It can be awarded to a player that does something inspirational, such as taking an important catch at the critical point in the game, a player that takes a few quick wickets to swing the momentum of the game, or even a player that has fielded well, saving boundaries to help keep the score down.

The umpires, the Di Santo family and both team captains pick their best three players from each team, the votes are tallied up and the recipient is then decided.

Both Wanderers and Ramblers are calling out to all past players and the wider community to get down to the Showgrounds.

Proceedings will get underway at 12.30pm with a brief ceremony.

Wanderers will be hosting a quiz night to take the night out, everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy a fun night.