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February 22nd / 23rd, 2025.
Another weekend of cricket down with some glorious weather across the Inner West. Catch up on all the weekend's action below. We'd like to take the opportunity to thank all of the volunteer coaches and managers who not only run their teams but take the time to write a match report each week. We've received plenty of positive feedback on our newsletters this season, so we hope everyone enjoys reading about our teams and players, and their highlights (and occasional lowlights!) each weekend. It's a nice way to stay connected as a club, with games spread out all over the local area each weekend!
This week we feature a couple of Leichhardt derbies, a hat trick, a tie, and plenty of club spirit on display!
IWHJCA Boys Rep Trial Info for 2025-26
Reminder that boys rep trials for the 2025-26 rep season are approaching in March. Registration is required to attend the open trials for your age group (ranging from U12s to U15s), held at the indoor nets at Cricket Central, Silverwater.
For all the details, please view our News post here.
To jump straight to registration, please click here.
Useful related resources:
Around The Grounds: Highlights & Match Reports
Performance of the Round
Wow! Another Wanderers hat trick! This is our third of the season - a hat trick of hat tricks, so to speak...
Archie Buckley (U10 Red) - completed a hat trick in our U10s derby (vs U10 Whites) on Saturday morning. Archie also scored 22* (20 balls), with three fours. Well done fella!
Highlights
Mihrimah Clark (U11 Girls Gold) - 27 (17 balls), 5x fours; 1 for 3 (2 overs)
Elizabeth Coughlin (U15 Girls) - 49* (40 balls), 3x fours, 4x sixes
John O'Connell (U10 Black) - 3 for 5 (3 overs); 2x catches; 17* (15 balls), 1x four
Emmett Hudson (U10 Black) - 3 run outs; 1 for 2 (1 overs); 10* (13 balls), 1x four
Sam Kelliher (U10 Red) - 25* (20 balls), 3x fours; 2 for 17 (4 overs)
Finn Gadsby (U10 White) - 28* (24 balls), 3x fours; 3 for 12 (5 overs)
Austin Kelly (U13 Black) - 3 for 7 (3 overs). 1x catch
Anton Martin (U13 White) - 33 (70 balls), 4x fours
Bede Russell (U15 White) - 2 catches, 1 run out; 17 (19 balls), 1x four, 1x six
Will Berkelmans (15 White) - 2 catches, 1 run out; 2 for 27 (3.1 overs); 19 (28 balls), 1x four, 1x six
Jack Phillips (U15 White) - 3 for 23 (4 overs); 1 catch; 32* (47 balls), 5x fours
Lachlan Shadforth (U15 Gold) - 43 (45 balls), 7x fours
Oliver Lista (U17 Black) - 67 (31 balls), 9x fours, 3x sixes
Henry Wakeling (U17 Black) - 54* (32 balls), 8x fours, 1x six; 2 for 22 (5 overs); 2 catches
Match Reports
We had to kick off this week with the following match report from U12 Red's coach Dan Fitzpatrick, who is a true wordsmith and always adds an entertainment factor to his match reports - great work Dan! Enjoy!!
U12 Red: LWCC (6-96) def. Concord Briars Maroon (95)
Ep:13 - Redwards Park
The horn of Blackmore rang loud three times this week due to thinning ranks on our Reds' slow march into Mordor (Concord) to take on their U12 mixed Briars at Edwards Park. Answering the call - three battle hardened rangers in Archer, Jacob and Kurtis, all of house Wanderer, joining our merry band of Bagginses.
Choosing to bowl first in sodden conditions, we started well, with some early wickets and a sensational catch from Jacob off Kurtis taking out what was likely the king Briar. Leg spin triplets Leo, Noah and then Jacob were clinical, each grabbing early wickets. A chill of sorts descended though at the 15 over mark, with a flood of wides (~30) and stout Briar batting causing heads to drop until the boys knuckled down and took the final wickets, Ollie S, Charlie and Jacob getting the job done. In the end the Briars had notched up a sundry-boosted 95, a target that would take a little getting.
‘Guests first’ proved a good strategy though as Archer and Jacob rattled off 30 as openers and with Archer then batting us to 45 until retiring, leaving Kurtis as anchorman. The long grass, tight bowling and some controversial / sketchy / (garbage?) square leg umpiring then saw the game turn quickly against us by drinks. Fear rippled through the party, huddled in the shade with their wet socks. The Concord Nazgûl had arrived. Would our streak survive? Would our fathers be proud of us? Do we even like cricket?
The beating war drums grew louder immediately after drinks with another 2 wickets for not many runs. Stern under fire though, Kurtis’ retirement brought some safety and brought Ted Oakenshield and Archer together in a whirlwind finish, thrashing the ball around and running fast to knock over the last 30 or so runs in about 15 furious balls and both finish on 24 not out.
Sensational stuff, and many thanks again to Archer, Jacob and Kurtis providing excellent bench strength and showcasing some club spirit. Welcome back anytime.
U13 Girls: LWCC (4-106) def. Randwick JCC Belles (5-105)
Well done girls on winning a nail bitter!
Our bowling was okay, some good chat in the field led by Zoe. We took some good wickets but we just couldn’t get the last one. Sofia R had started it off with a wicket with her first ball, but Connie was the pick of the bowlers.
For batting, Cate hit some sweet shots to open the innings. Liv set the pace and Sophie, Sharanya and Charlotte adopted the tone with vigour. Carmen, Sophie and Zoe kept their concentration.
Zoe, Liv, Sofia C, Sofia R, Sharanya and Charlotte all retired after their first 13 balls. Eva was looking to do the same thing and push the run rate on, but got a peach of a ball on the stumps.
Sharanya hit a super cover drive for four towards the end which turned things around. Our running between wickets put pressure on the opposition fielders, and we snuck in the win. It was a thrilling finish, winning with one ball to spare!
Enjoy the victory and thanks to Mike for umpiring; Jen, Anthony and Christine for scoring.
A true team effort on and off the field!
U10 Derby: LWCC Red (112) def. LWCC White (106)
Part I - Whites
With the February sun beating down on the home of Cricket at Blackmore Oval, the mighty Reds and ever improving Whites battled it out with smiles on their faces. After Maxwell Anderson won the bat flip for the Whites and sent them in on a greentop, the Reds top order looked solid. A direct hit run-out in the third over and some tight bowling from Adam Spurrs and Rafi Mayes ensured that at the drinks break it was evenly balanced. The Reds then put on an energetic partnership with some epic running between the wickets. The Reds finished up on 112 and the Whites appreciated the goodwill gesture of an extra fielder during their innings (no dropped awkward dropped catches occurred!).
With 24 balls each to face the Whites had time on their side! Adam Spurrs batted bravely against some hostile bowling from young Archie who picked up a hat trick (nice one Archie!) with Axel Frew achieving a new PB with 9 including two fours through mid wicket. Maxwell Anderson continued his recent good form with a crafty and composed 9 as well and then Rafi Mayes (18) and Finn Gadsby (28) took it upon themselves to close the gap. Alas, after a 30-odd run partnership our brave Whites fell six runs short of the Reds fine total. From a coaches' perspective it was one of the most enjoyable games of the season with sportsmanship on both sides all-class.
Go forth and conquer into the finals young Reds! We will see you again next year!
Part II - Reds
HAT TRICK!!! HAT TRICK!!!
Captain Archie won the to toss and elected to bat first….
Sam top scored with his and the teams highest score of the year so for with 25. Archie was close behind with 22, with both batsmen managing to get an impressive three boundaries, with Sarah Kelliher taking credit on the sidelines, playing a game of backyard cricket with them the night before – on her birthday no less! Contributions across the board: Jeremy, Alexander and Rohan five runs each and Finn 11, got the team to 112 run first innings total.
LWCC White knew the run chase was on if they could just keep their wicket losses to a minimum. LWCC Red however came out revved up from the first over. Finn had a maiden, Sam ended with two wickets across four overs, Jeremy, Alex and Rohan all kept the economy rate low.
There was one over that turned the whole match however. In the second ball of the over, with Archie bowling, the team managed to get a run out. The next ball saw middle stump dispatched. The team were on for a “team hat trick”… which duly followed with another fast ball from Archie! Sarah Kelliher was again up advising it was her input that was paying off! After the team celebration, the crowd then focused again as Archie came steaming in with the chance of securing a personal hat trick… WICKET! Middle stump gone again! Four wickets in a row, team hat trick, Archie hat trick and the Reds never looked back from there.
A day not to be forgotten by those lucky enough to be present…
U15 White: LWCC (6-122) def. by Concord Briars Black (147)
A superb effort to come within 25 runs of the top team, with only nine players in the line up. Jack Phillips had a solid all round performance scoring 32 including five fours, taking three wickets and a catch. Keshav Sachdev was the most economical bowler with 2-10 (5 overs). While it was a respectable batting performance across the team, the difference today was the need for our boys to increase the run rate and take more singles. Finally, a shout out to James Gilchrist for playing his first game with the team, taking a wicket and effortlessly hitting their top bowler for four... you are welcome back anytime 'Gilly'!
U10 Black: LWCC (146) def. Concord Briars Green (83)
Lost the toss and sent into bat on a slow outfield against the team coming second on the table. We lost four wickets to some smart bowling. Well done to all the not out batters and the more often than not, sensible running between the wickets. Special mention to John O'Connell 17* with 113 strike rate. We had 107 runs at our change of innings. We needed to field well against one of the heavy hitting teams. And field well, we did. The energy in the ground to pressure the batters to stay in their crease was top notch. Wickets to Emmett Hudson, Kiran Chandramouli, Dylan Corfield, Ryan Petkovich & Oscar Rawson. And not only starring with the bat but also with the ball John O'Connell, 3 overs, 1 maiden, 3 wickets for 5 runs and nil extras. And just to show off, he took a couple of catches as well. What a game for John. Behind the stumps, Emmett Hudson makes the honour board effecting three run outs and was brave diving all over the place.
The difference between the teams was our sensible batting, bowling and rapid fielding. It proves that just because we play one of the heavy hitting teams, if the opposition batters do not respect their wicket in this unlimited wicket format, that they will get chased down with penalty runs. Congratulations team; your effort areas are there in the results.
U11 Girls Gold: LWCC (111) tied with Randwick JCC Belles (111)
We wound back the clock to 1986 in Chennai and played out a thrilling TIE - 111 a piece!
We batted first and posted a solid score with Mihrimah, Juno and Emily both contributing. Mihrimah’s 27 not out was her highest score. Some lovely drives for four through cover were the highlight.
At half time to score were tight, but with both Emily (an excellent caught and bowled) and Mihrimah bagging a wicket, we thought we were home. But the final pair for Randwick played well and hit the final ball for four to secure the tie.
A thrilling game, played in a great spirit.
U13 Gold: LWCC (6-142) def. Randwick JCC Hurricanes (71)
It was another strong team performance and a comfortable win at picturesque (but dewy) Callan Park.
Batting first started with some wobbles, however. The Wanderers slumped to 3-4 in the third over. There was some 50:50 umpire calls that went against us, namely the LBW that dismissed Larsen and the caught behind to remove Yoris (or did he nick the ground?). Max fell victim to an excellent C&B. The team then stabilised the innings and accumulated runs. Felix was a rock at the top of the order and a great partner for Conor who came in, faced a few to get his eye in, then blasted his way to 30* (20). Linus, James, Archer, Jacob and Kurtis were all steady, all but one retiring after their 20 balls. Linus finished the innings with Felix, upping the tempo perfectly in the final three overs, finishing on 20* (36) and 14* (46), respectively.
The bowling was high quality too. The eight wickets were shared by eight bowlers (Archer, Jacob, Conor, Larsen, Yoris, Max, Eamon, Linus). The catching was the best so far for this team, with two high balls neatly dealt with by Eamon and other tidy grabs by Jacob and Archer.
Three honourable mentions which exemplify the excellent cricket played go to: Felix who was the pick of the bowlers, regularly hitting the top of fourth and fifth stumps like an U14 rep player would want to; the smart captaincy by Kurtis, placing Linus at short fine leg where he hung on to a screamer resulting from a false hook shot off a bouncer from Eamon; and Yoris’s diving attempt, after running backwards, to only just get a fingertip to the ball.
This was a team performing with a high level of maturity, effort and desire. That will need to be on display again next week against competition-leaders Summer Hill.
U17 Black: LWCC (4-197) def. Balmain South Sydney CC Sabres (6-196)
It was an afternoon for batting at the Alan Davidson Oval, and it was the Wanderers U17 Black top order who ultimately achieved the runs to secure the victory. Our Balmain opponents had been the best side in the 17/1 division in 24/25; they chose to bat first and quickly threatened to put the game out of sight, accumulating over 120 runs, for the loss of just one wicket, at the half-way point in their innings.
However, after drinks, Leichhardt captain Oli marshalled his resources wisely and the team bowled and fielded with discipline, so, rather than accelerating, Balmain added only another 70 runs in the next 16 overs. Economy was the target for the bowlers, but Henry’s spectacular diving catch provided a moment of glory. Balmain posted a target of 197 that was daunting, but not unachievable.
Oli and Henry made quick inroads into the total; outstandingly aggressive half-centuries from each of them (20 balls from Oli, 31 from Henry), knocking off over half the runs required. Max and Gus provided steady support, and their unbeaten retirements removed all the tension from the run chase, allowing their team-mates to achieve the remaining handful of runs, with overs to spare.
U15 Girls: LWCC (7-87) def. by RHH Pirates (0-89)
The girls were sent in to bat on a hot afternoon at Queen Elizabeth Park. Beth Coughlin was the standout performer, finishing with 49* off 40 balls, including several sixes out of the park (carefully avoiding the parked cars and nearby houses). Clementine Collier also impressed with a solid 5* off 29 balls in only her second match with the hard ball. However, the Pirates girls' bowling was both fast and accurate, limiting the team to 87 for 7.
In the field, there was a significant improvement in the number of extras conceded, thanks to an exceptional performance behind the stumps by Claire Mather and strong all-around contributions from the bowlers.
Ultimately, Pirates chased down the target with four overs to spare.
U12 Gold: LWCC (97) def. Iron Cove Balmain Tigers (77)
On a picture-perfect Saturday morning U12 Gold took to the field at Campbell Park for an important clash. With the team looking to break their post-Christmas drought and reignite their charge toward the semi-finals, the stakes were high. Coach Jimmy's suggestion of additional training for the squad over past weeks was about to pay off in a big way.
Skipper Oscar Green led from the front, setting a positive and uplifting tone throughout the match.
Batting first after losing the toss, U12 Gold built a solid foundation, thanks to a superb innings from Patrick Thornton. His fluent 28 from 32 balls, including three boundaries, provided much-needed early momentum. Grayson Cranny was equally impressive, displaying patience and control to anchor the innings with a well-crafted 20 from 44 deliveries. After a mid-order slump it was Archer Gannon’s crucial late contribution that made a huge difference to the final tally. His assured 11 not out from 33 balls ensured LWCC finished strong, adding valuable runs to the total, building partnerships along the way and giving U12 Gold a solid total to defend.
Defending 97, LWCC’s bowlers stepped up magnificently, delivering a disciplined and determined performance. Captain Oscar Green led by example, taking two wickets for just six runs in his three overs (3-1-6-2). His energy and encouragement kept the team fired up in the field. Zavier Rodrigues proved to be a key weapon, claiming two vital wickets for 13 runs in his three-over spell (3-0-13-2), applying relentless pressure on the opposition.
Patrick Thornton, fresh from his strong batting display, showed his all-round ability by taking the winning wicket, finishing with figures of 4.2-1-15-1. James Day also contributed with a crucial breakthrough, recording 4-0-15-1, while Will Barratt delivered a tight spell, conceding just nine runs in his four overs and taking one wicket (4-1-9-1). Harry Johnson provided a crucial breakthrough with 1-0-3-1, dismissing a key batter at a crucial moment.
In the end, the team’s combined effort restricted their opponents to just 77 runs, sealing a well-earned victory by 20 runs. The result not only ended the teams winless streak but also gives U12 Gold a huge boost in the race for the semi-finals.
With renewed confidence and growing momentum, U12 Gold have laid down a marker for the remainder of the season. If their performance on Saturday is anything to go by, this team is more than ready for the challenges ahead.
U13 Derby: LWCC Black (2-111) def. LWCC White (110)
Part I - Blacks
Here we go! Black v White. It was always going to be a fun game, we love these inter-club battles.
So Blacks won the toss, which seemed to suit both teams, happy days!
A good start for the Whites’ game with 48 runs coming before the first 3 wickets. Some good opening spells from Linus Starkoff (2 for 12 off 4), Ronav Auti (0 for 7 off 3) but the run out was the first wicket, courtesy of Ronav Auti. Followed was Xavier Rohanek (1 for 16 off 4) and Sam Spiller (0 for 2 off 3), Xavier claiming Archer Hudson with a great catch by Lachlan Ash. Sam a very miserly 2 runs from his 3 overs with no extras. Well done Sam. Good bowling contributions from Noah Kelly (0 for 8 off 2), Barnabas Ford (0 for 8 off 3) and Will Goldrick (1 for 10 off 2).
Austin Kelly stole the show with 3 wickets in one thrilling over, figures of 3 for 7 off 3 reduced the Whites to 6-60. At that point we thought we had them all out for 75, but they batted on well to post 110, all out. Sharp catches to William Goldrick (1), Sam Spiller, Lachlan Ash (2) and Austin Kelly (1) - fantastic fielding efforts from Harry Condon (0 for 11 off 2) and Dylan Don Paul, who also bowled two overs conceding only 4 runs.
Batting started smoothly with Lachlan Ash 12 (20) and Barnabas Ford 17 (20). Both not out. Sam Spiller lost his wicket for 6 after looking steady. Xavier Rohanek (who the opposition nicknamed ‘Megatron') went about his business and smashed 29 off 20, not out. Changed the mood of the game, and set it up nicely for the Kelly brothers to bat for some time. Noah 9 (16), who unfortunately ended on the last ball before drinks!, and both Austin and Ronav 10 (12 ) each not out. Blacks got the runs nice and efficiently in the 18th over for only the loss of 2 wickets.
The team displayed good discipline in the field, kept their eagerness strong until the end of the innings on quite a warm day.
A good win played in strong competitive spirit between two great Leichhardt Wanderers teams. Well done boys.
Part II - Whites
A depleted Whites team took on top-of-the-table occupiers, LW Blacks, in what was ultimately a tough day in the sun at Callan. With a couple of absences, we also had two sick individuals who were super brave by showing up and giving it a go anyway - fantastic team spirit (more on this later).
Openers Anton and Eamon got us off to a steady start against some high-quality bowling, with survival the main focus. After Eamon was run out for our first wicket, a super over by opposition bowler Austin saw three further wickets fall in the one over with some fantastic catching. At 6-60 we were looking shaky, with an early afternoon on the cards. But as the Whites have done all season, they dug deep, with a gutsy middle-order partnership between Yoris (11 of 50 balls) and Oliver (9* off 32) - the latter bravely overcoming the illness he'd had all week to face up to his old team. This was followed up by Jack (1 off 4) who also faced up with the bat despite sickness. Well done to both lads, Oli and Jack, for giving it their all for the team, in tough circumstances. Anton came back to the crease from retirement to play his best innings of the season, finishing with 33 off 70 balls. This stretched our total to 110 runs - an impressive result given not only the depleted ranks but also against some of the best bowling in the comp. We were proud of the way the boys once again dug in when facing an uphill battle.
Ultimately however, the Blacks are where they are on the ladder for good reason and they took care of our total in 18 overs. A little disappointing, as the Whites didn't bowl or field as well as we know they can. We only collected the two wickets: a catch to Yoris off the bowling of Conor and a catch to Conor off the bowling of James L. A couple of dropped catches at crucial moments let us down in the field and we were probably a little unlucky not to jag Xavier LBW off a peach from Archer - the big-hitting batter went on to blast his way closer to our total.
Whilst formerly out of the hunt for finals, we have two games of cricket left and I know the boys will give it their all. We wish the Blacks the best of luck and hope they go deep - bring home a trophy for LWCC fellas!
Finally this week, we leave you with a photo of Emily Moore (from our U11s) in action for the Sydney East regional team at the NSW Primary Cricket Girls Championship last week. Emily captained the side, who finished third in their pool. Well done Emily, you're doing our club proud!
2025-26 Planning. As we approach the end of the season, we will be shortly contacting all coaches and managers (C&M) to assist us with planning for the 2025-26 season. C&M, please keep an eye out for this, as your responses are valuable for us. For everyone else, please assist our C&M with any information they require, where possible!
Chris Hudson
LWCC President
We are Leichhardt Wanderers Through and Through!