BEECHWORTH’S A grade will be looking for a quick turn of fate to end their 2024 calendar year as they look to stay in contention for the One Day crown this season.

The Wanderers were outclassed in all facets of the game by the Wangaratta Magpies in their first hit out in a month at Norm Minns Oval last weekend, going down by 81-runs.

After a relatively even start to have Wangaratta at 3/61, the game was taken away from the Wanderers by Jack Davies who made an unbeaten 82, supported by a quick 57 off 44 balls by Kyle Winter-Irving in the middle order.

Beechworth paceman Matt Ryan led from the front in his return to the attack with figures of 3/36 off his eight overs, with the Magpies finishing with 5/239 off their 40 overs.

Despite losing gun opener Kayde Surrey for just six, the Wanderers started well off the back of Jack Ryan’s 56 and Brenton Surrey’s 39, puttin on a 91-run partnership.

However, both fell in reasonably quick succession and Beechworth would go on to lose 7/58 to be all out for 158, well short of their target.

The A grade Wanderers will find themselves back in Wangaratta this weekend as they face Rovers United Bruck in a crucial match for the ramifications of the One Day standings.

Currently the Magpies stand clear on top, but just 0.2 points separate Ovens Valley, Rovers and Beechworth in a battle for second spot and a chance to play off for silverware in February.

Rovers have won five straight games in all formats since their opening round loss to Yarrawonga Mulwala.

In other grades, Beechworth’s B grade finally made it on the winners list this season securing their first win over Delatite at Mansfield.

Batting first, solid contributions from the top four of Rama Schultz (25), Michael Schultz (31) Jacob Howard (28) and Lewis Richards (13) set a strong target of 7/154.

Delatite made inroads early behind opening batsman Rick Mills (41), but the middle order failed to fire a shot as the Wanderers ran away with the 56-run win at Lords.

Ben Cogger (2/20) and Archer Warner (2/8) did the damage with the ball while Lachie Fitzpatrick, Rick Fitzpatrick and Alex Beatson took a wicket each.

Meanwhile C grade continued their dominant season at Gapsted, chasing down 118 in 20 overs to win by eight wickets.

After Taylor Thomson (going under the alias Fill Inn) took 4/15 bowling first for Beechworth, it was Darby West who stole the show with the bat, making an unbeaten 82 to go with his own 2/21 with the ball to steer Beechworth home.

B grade will take on Merton at Merton before their Christmas break, while C grade take on Greta white at Moyhu.