The 2025/26 WDCA A grade season commenced on Saturday, and it was far from an ideal start for Beechworth Wanderers.
Taking on Ovens Valley United at Myrtleford’s McNamara Reserve, the Wanderers were bowled out for 132 chasing the Tigers’ total of 185 all out.
After winning the toss and bowling, Beechworth were on the back foot early thanks to a barrage of big hits from Ovens Valley openers Seamus Phillips (37 from 44) and Dylan Bursill (28 from 33), who combined for a 62-run opening stand until Jonathan Carson got the breakthrough in the 12th over.
The wicket brought Geeth Alwis to the crease, and last year’s champion player proved he still had it, bludgeoning 53 from 65 deliveries.
After Carson picked up his second, a skied ball cleanly taken by Matt Ryan, Beechworth were able to peg back momentum thanks to the sterling glovework of Brenton Surrey.
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The former skipper held his chances when they came, and executed two brilliant leg-side stumpings in three deliveries, working brilliantly in tandem with Henry Scalzo (3/28).
Richard Worcester (2/35) and Matt Ryan (2/16) would mop up the tail, with a target of 186 for victory.
The chase hit a pothole in the third over, with Jackson Cull clean bowled by Joe Monk for an eight-ball duck.
Cam Fendyk managed just the single run before his front pad was rocked by James Neary, which brought Surrey to the middle at 2-2 in the fourth over, who began to embark on a rescue mission.
Surrey’s 63 from 66 was a virtuoso performance including five boundaries and a maximum, working the field and hammering loose deliveries across the park.
However, while Surrey was carving up the attack at one end, he had little to no support from any batting partner – excluding Surrey, only three players made it to double digits, and no one making more than 17.
The final nail in the coffin came when Surrey holed out to mid off 6/96 in the 26th over off Joel Jordan, who would go on to rip through the tail and finish with 5/29.
Beechworth skipper Matt Ryan said the Tigers’ fast start set the game up.
“I think round one is always a bit of a hectic one with the football seasons going so deep these days, so we felt a bit underdone but that's no excuse,” he said.
“The game was probably decided in the first 10-15 overs of their innings where they got off to a flier.
“We pegged it back really well to bowl them out for 180 in the end after they were roughly 1/70.
“180 is a par score or thereabouts - good teams will chase that down and we just needed a couple of guys to make 20+ runs to support ‘Grub’ [Brenton Surrey] who played a flawless innings.
“Our batting let us down, but it's early in the season so nothing to worry about.
“Kayde Surrey and Clancy Ellet are still to come in which is huge.
“Grub’s keeping behind the stumps was first class - he is probably the best keeper in the competition although he reckons he hates doing it. “
The Wanderers turn their attention to Rovers United Bruck this weekend, with the reigning premiers still the benchmark side in the competition.
While they have had some turnover in terms of players, their nine-wicket win over Benalla in round one indicated they still have what it takes.
“Rovers this week will be a good challenge,” Ryan said.
“Their core group of older players are smart and experienced so we will be wary of them.
“There isn't much of an out-there strategy for us, just bowl tight line and put pride on our wickets, keep it simple for the first few games.”
The match commences from 12.30pm at Wangaratta’s WJ Findlay Oval.
The rest of the club’s senior teams are in action as well this weekend, with Beechworth taking on Merton at home and Stanley against Ovens Valley at Memorial Park in B grade, the C grade side playing Moyhu at Moyhu.
In the juniors, the combined Beechworth-Ovens Valley United under 16 side commence their two-dayer against Yarrawonga Mulwala at Victoria Park, the under 14s are at Wareena Park against Wangaratta Magpies, and the under 12s take on Milawa at Milawa.
On Sunday, the Beechworth Wanderers all girls side kickstart their season at home to Benalla Bushrangers at Baarmutha Park.
