Wanderers retain Remembrance Day Mateship Trophy
A Murray Towns cricketing tradition has continued in 2026 with a win for the home side over Tailem Bend.
This story was contributed by Joe Di Santo.
Wanderers have retained the Remembrance Day Mateship Perpetual Trophy after securing a convincing six-wicket victory over Tailem Bend in the Remembrance Round clash at the Showgrounds.
The away side won the toss and elected to bat, a decision that didn’t pay off as Wanderers opening bowlers Tom Watkins and Shane Bown got on top of the Eagles early.
Watkins made the first breakthrough, dismissing Toby Hollis for a duck to leave Tailem Bend at 1/4.
Opening partner Mitchell Hinks briefly threatened, pulling Bown through the covers for a boundary, but Bown responded just a few deliveries later, bowling Hinks for four.
Watkins then combined with skipper Jalen Kowalick to claim another three wickets between them, leaving Tailem Bend in serious trouble at 5/16.
With the Eagles struggling after the opening 10 overs, Billy Buwalda and Isaac Kennett dug in and began rebuilding the innings.
The pair showed tremendous determination, making life difficult for the home side and bringing up a valuable 50-run partnership in the 25th over.
Kowalick eventually turned to Craig Fidge in search of a breakthrough, and the move paid immediate dividends.
Fidge dismissed Kennett for 15 from 51 deliveries, with Jake Rogers taking the catch to end the 52-run partnership and leave Tailem Bend at 6/68.
Fidge struck again in his next over, dismissing Buwalda caught and bowled for a game-high 32 runs from 60 balls.
Wanderers soon cleaned up the tail, with Fidge claiming his fourth wicket before Rogers and Ben Trenorden combined for a run-out to dismiss Tailem Bend for 75 in 30.4 overs.
Watkins and Fidge were outstanding with the ball, with Watkins finishing with 3/5 from six overs, while Fidge produced an impressive 4/6 from just 3.4.
Chasing 76 for victory, Kowalick opened alongside young gun Riley Stapleton.
The pair made a steady start, reaching 0/18 before a mix-up between the wickets led to Stapleton being run out by Brad Kleining for 10.
Shane Bown joined his skipper but was soon dismissed for one, again with Kleining in the action, leaving Wanderers at 2/23 and giving Tailem Bend a glimpse of hope.
Cam Cox joined Kowalick and helped restore control with a valuable 41-run partnership with Cox contributing 18 before being caught and bowled by Toby Hollis.
With Wanderers at 3/64, just 12 runs were required.
Fidge came to the crease and moved to three before Hollis claimed him, with Campbell Schubert taking the catch.
Watkins joined Kowalick, and the pair made sure there were no further interruptions.
He remained unbeaten on seven, while Kowalick top-scored with an unbeaten 30, guiding Wanderers to victory at 4/79.
Hollis was Tailem Bend's best bowler, finishing with 2/7 from three overs.
The six-wicket victory ensured Wanderers retained the Remembrance Day Mateship Perpetual Trophy.
Tom Watkins was voted player of the match and presented with the Di Santo Medallion by retired Lieutenant Helen Di Santo, recognising his outstanding all-round contribution.
His remarkable 3/5 with the ball set up the victory, before he returned to finish the chase unbeaten on seven.
It was a fitting performance for a match celebrating remembrance, teamwork and mateship.
