Wanderers reclaim Remembrance day trophy over Ramblers

This story was contributed by Joe Di Santo.

Wanderers' resilience and determination saw them claim the Remembrance Day Mateship Perpetual Trophy.

In a thrilling Murray Towns Cricket Association A grade clash against Ramblers at the Showgrounds last Saturday, Wanderers' defeated the Reds by 79 runs.

The annual contest, held during the Remembrance Day Round, was a highly anticipated fixture and lived up to expectations with dramatic moments on and off the field.

Before the game, both teams paused to pay their respects in a moving ceremony led by former Wanderers and current serving Army Reservist, Joe Di Santo, who was joined by ex- Wanderers player and Army Cadet Isabella Doutre, as well as Wanderers Life Member Peter Ansell.

The occasion was further honoured by the sounding of the Last Post by Roger Head from the Murray Bridge Community Concert Band, setting the tone for a respectful and competitive day of cricket.

Ramblers won the toss and elected to bowl, sending Wanderers to bat first.

The Woo Hoos got off to a fast start with opener Ben Trenorden scoring 16 from just 18 balls, but the early momentum was quickly halted when Ramblers' strike bowler, Keynan Harradine, claimed Trenorden's wicket with the score at 18.

In the following over, Harradine combined with Lual Kelei to dismiss Jalan Kowalick, leaving Wanderers at 2/18 and in early trouble.

However, the middle order soon steadied the ship.

Cam Cox (24) and Shane Bown (26) put together a solid 52-run partnership, taking the score to 70.

But just when it looked like Wanderers were gaining control, Ramblers' Matt Thompson, a late addition to the squad, turned the match in his side's favor with a stunning spell.

Thompson took three quick wickets, dismissing Cox, skipper Ben Gilgen (six), and Ben Nagel (two), reducing Wanderers to 5/81.

Enter Kevin Young and Bown.

The pair managed to put on ten more runs before Bown was dismissed, leaving the Woo Hoos at 6/91.

It was at this point Wanderers teenage sensation Bailey Matuhina entered the fray, making an immediate impact with a quickfire 16 off 14 balls before being judged LBW to Kelei, leaving Wanderers at 7/114.

With Ramblers closing in, the partnership between Kevin Young and Brayden Gregory was vital for Wanderers.

The two dug in and frustrated Ramblers, putting together a patient 49-run stand.

Gregory was dismissed for 16 off 41 balls, but Young's unbroken 38 off 85 balls, along with late runs from the tail, propelled Wanderers to a total of 171 in the 43rd over.

Thompson was the standout for Ramblers, finishing with an impressive 6/30 from seven overs, but Wanderers' total still appeared a tough target to chase.

The chase for Ramblers never got off the ground.

In just the second over, Wanderers' skipper Ben Gilgen bowled Patrick Bald for a duck, leaving the Reds at 1/0.

Brayden McDonald, who had been in good form with the bat, joined Riley Vanson at the crease, and the pair steadied the ship with a 22-run partnership.

However, Vanson fell for ten, caught by Cam Cox off the bowling of Jamie Moore, leaving Ramblers at 2/22.

Things went from bad to worse for Ramblers as Keynan Harradine was dismissed for just 4 (9) by Moore, and Matt Thompson, who had been the hero with the ball earlier, could not replicate that success with the bat.

He was dismissed for 18 (30) by Matuhina, and with the score at 4/56, Ramblers were staring down a tough task.

The match swung decisively in Wanderers' favour when Chris Kropinyeri was run out for one, and Matuhina took another two wickets to leave Ramblers at 7/71.

The tail could not withstand the pressure, and Matuhina wrapped up the innings by taking the final three wickets, finishing with remarkable figures of 4/12 off 4.4 overs.

Ramblers were all out for just 92, falling well short of the target.

For Wanderers, Matuhina was the clear standout with the ball, his four wickets helping to dismantle Ramblers' batting lineup.

While there were some nervy moments early in their innings, Wanderers’ ability to recover and build partnerships was crucial, with contributions from Cox, Bown, Gregory, Young, and Matuhina ensuring they posted a competitive total.

Ramblers' Matt Thompson was named the recipient of the Di Santo Medallion for his outstanding individual performance, finishing with six wickets and a brave knock of 18 with the bat.

The Di Santo Medallion is awarded each year to the player who demonstrates the values of courage, leadership, initiative, and mateship—the qualities valued by both clubs.

The Remembrance Day clash was a fitting tribute to the values of comradeship and
competition, with Wanderers emerging victorious by 79 runs.

The win sees the Mateship Trophy return to the Showgrounds after a hard-fought contest, as Wanderers continue to show their depth and resilience in the MTCA a grade competition.

For Ramblers, there will be plenty to reflect on, with a number of positives to take away.

But with the league still wide open, both teams will look to build on the lessons learned from this encounter as the season progresses.