Shaky start to Country Week campaign

THE WDCA’s Melbourne Country Week hasn’t gone exactly to plan following three straight losses to Sunraysia CA, Gisborne DCA and Bellarine Peninsula CA. Batting first at Yarrambat War Memorial Park on Monday, Wangaratta posted 10/218 from 42.1 overs, before Sunraysia chased it down with eight overs to spare. Firebrand opener Charith Perera was the first to go, bowled by Jasper Presswell for two, while his partner Cooper Matheson went on a tear at the other end. Matheson bludgeoned 20 from just 12 deliveries, striking at 166. After Presswell knocked him over, Jack Ryan (21 from 29) kept the scoreboard ticking over, but it was Cooper Thomason who would form the backbone of the innings. The all-rounder produced a ferocious and enthralling innings, smashing eight boundaries and five maximums on his way to 91 from 84 balls. With the ball Paddy McNamara would get the breakthrough in the fourth over and when Matt Ryan picked up the wicket of Josh Andrews for just one, WDCA had their tails up. Handy middle order contributions from Sunraysia saw the total creep ever upwards before Sunraysia won by four wickets. WDCA took on Gisborne DCA on Tuesday at Windy Hill and were outmatched to the tune of 190 runs. Gisborne would make 7/325 batting first after a monster 152 not out off 169 balls from Marcus Stewart. McNamara led from the front top scoring with 46 in reply, but WDCA could only muster 135 in their innings. Wednesday's match came down to he wire, with Bellarine Peninsula CA surpassing WDCA's total in the final over of their run chase. Scoring 9/193 batting first, WDCA were guided by a strong opening partnership of Matheson (34) and Tyler Nanson (26) before Thomason once again found himself in the runs with 37. While wickets were hard to come by with the ball, scoring was not easy for Bellarine Peninsula as opening bowlers Matt Ryan (1/32) and Jimmy Thewlis (1/23) tightened the screws in their 10 overs. Scores were tied going into the 50th and final over but a boundary with the second last ball of the day off the bowling by McNamara was enough to squeeze Bellarine Peninsula home. WDCA took on South West CA on Thursday in their final game.

Shaky start to Country Week campaign

Beechworth Wanderers Cricket Club announces experienced coaching duo for 2026/27 season

Beechworth Wanderers announce 2026/27 volunteer committee

Grand final losses for Beechworth C grade, under 16s

Ending on a high note

Bracing for postseason

Ovens & Murray Advertiser, Friday, 18 September, 2026

Help shape the future of your health service this spring

Community bank celebrates milestone birthday

Students bring wonderland to life

Most popular stories