Sport
16 January, 2026
Bulls aim to deliver death blow to the Magpies
Beaufort can deliver a devastating nail to Clunes’ finals contention coffin when the two teams meet at Goldfields Recreation Reserve this Saturday for a rescheduled one-day clash.
While the Magpies would love to bring themselves within 12 points of the finals places, a win in itself would deliver a vital jolt of confidence to a team that hasn’t tasted victory since their 2023/24 semi-final triumph over Colts Phelans.
Despite being desperately unlucky at times not to record an elusive victory this season, Clunes have quickly regained their com-petitiveness following a winless campaign.
The most dramatic of the Mag-pies’ improvements has centered around their bowling department, sharpening their beak after not bowling out a single opponent in 2024/25 with only 46 wickets in nine matches.
Tied MDCA A grade leading wicket-taker Noah Davies has spearheaded a refined attack that’s generated 61 breakthroughs so far this season, with Dylan Davies and Brett Coon also taking noticeable strides.
Similar to their weekend opponents, the Bulls entered this season with some notable question marks surrounding their bowling attack following the departure of 2024/25 MDCA Team of the Year member Tom Alexander, who took 22 wickets at an average of 19 last season.
However, as one elite spinner walked out the door, another one reemerged, with Bulls captain Brandon Walsh currently alongside Noah Davies atop the competition’s wicket-taking charts with 20 breakthroughs.
While Walsh deserves all the plaudits for his expertise with the ball this season, he has been well supported by his teammates, who can tighten the screws on their opponents, forcing players to be aggressive against the dangerous Walsh.
Fresh off taking 19 wickets amidst another season ending in Team of the Year honours, Lachlan Oddie continues to be a pain for opposing batters despite an uncharacteristic shortage of wickets.
The two-time Ken Gibbs medallist boasts an impressive economy rate of 3.34, allowing 20 runs or less on four separate occasions while bowling six overs or more.
Oddie’s ability to choke up the run rate will be especially valuable during the upcoming two-day matches, giving full license to players like Walsh, Theo Trevelyan-Clark, Joel Pymer and Ben Grant to attack for wickets as the Bulls aim to qualify for their third consecutive finals series.