Sport
22 October, 2025
Bulls claim first win of season
Beaufort Bulls claimed their first win of the Maryborough District Cricket Association season, defeating Clunes by 27 runs at Clunes Sporting Complex last Saturday.
The Bulls lost the toss and were sent into bat, and Joshua Lofts and Jarrod Blandford started strong with a 68-run opening partnership.
Blandford was bowled by Brett Coon for 31, and shortly after, Lofts was bowled by Dylan Davies, and Lyle Aichroth was trapped for LBW off the bowling of Coon, as the Bulls fell to 3/70.
Lachlan Oddie and recruit Theo Trevelyan-Clark helped rebuild the innings with a partnership of 41 before Oddie was bowled by Nicholas Hind for five.
Trevelyan-Clark and Brandon Walsh batted well at the crease and built a solid partnership until Trevelyan-Clark fell for 41.
At 5/138, Walsh was joined by Thomas Grant, and they put on a 26-run stand before Grant fell to the bowling of Sam Williams.
The Bulls, led by Walsh, batted out the innings well, scoring 199 off their 40 overs.
The Bulls started their defence well with Benjamin Grant bowling brilliantly to dismiss Brenton Jones, Brendan Ingram and Noah Davies, to have Clunes reeling at 3/44.
Shortly after, Blake Jantzen caught Mark Allen off the bowling of Thomas Grant, and Clunes were 4/62 and in trouble.
Nicholas Hind and Mitchell Coppick re-established the innings for Clunes with a strong 71-run partnership.
Thomas Grant broke the partnership, bowling Nicholas Hind for 41, and then bowled Sam Williams for one shortly after, and Clunes were suddenly 6/141.
Brandon Walsh finished off the game for the Bulls, picking up three of the last four wickets to bowl Clunes out for 172 in the 40th over.
Walsh finished with 3/10 (3.4). Thomas Grant and Benjamin Grant also picked up three wickets each, finishing with 3/22 (8) and 3/9 (3), respectively.
Bulls president Andrew Oddie praised his bowlers.
“When they were four down, we were wary, as Coppick and Hind are gun batsmen, but the bowlers stuck to their task,” Oddie said.
“Ben [Grant] bowled well early and bowled brilliantly for a 17-year-old and was getting the ball online and getting it to kick and drag a little bit.
“Nicholas Hind had a good duel with Lachlan Oddie, and Lachlan beat him four or five times, and it was good to watch.”
“Tom [Grant] also bowled well as a left armer, and his important wicket of Hind tilted the game in our favour.”
Oddie also praised first-time captain Brandon Walsh and recruit Theo Trevelyan-Clark.
“It doesn’t look like the captaincy is holding him back at all, and he has started the season well,” Oddie said.
“Theo is looking like a class batsman. He strikes the ball well and has a very good technique.”
Tomorrow, the Bulls face Laanecoorie Dunolly in a tough match, with Laanecoorie Dunolly only losing one match in the last four years.
“It won’t be easy,” Oddie said.
“They have a powerful batting lineup, and Tom Hannett just scored a century for them, so we have our work cut out for us.”
In A-Reserve, Beaufort Blue started their season with a 129-run loss to Laanecoorie Dunolly at Deledio Recreation Reserve.
The home team made 5/274 with Steven Dellavedova the star, unbeaten on 150. Ben Woolidge was the pick of Beaufort’s bowlers with 2/51 (7). Dan Quixley 1/34 (8), Nick Stabbins 1/84 (8), and Adam Miller 1/30 (6) also bowled well.
The Bulls were bowled out for 145 in the 30th over. David Kiely was the standout with 39 runs, while Ben Woolidge (27), Nick Stabbins (21), and Malcolm Wooley (22), also made great starts.
Tomorrow is a historic day for the club with Beaufort Red opening their season against Beaufort Blue.
It’s the first time in over 30 years that Beaufort has been able to field two teams in the one grade, and they played many grand finals in the 80s.
Oddie hopes there is a big crowd.
“The boys are already into each other and there has been lots of sledging,” Oddie said.
“It’s nice to have so many senior cricket players this season. These games are hard as everyone knows each other inside out.
“The local old boys and life members are looking forward to seeing the derby, and everyone is looking forward to it, and we are hoping for a great crowd to come to cheer on the boys.”
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