Sport
10 October, 2025
MDCA 2025-26 Season Preview — Beaufort
While they have solidified their position as a perennial MDCA finals contender, Beaufort hopes their 2025/26 campaign will be the season of the stampeding Bulls.
Considering the club finished the 2022/23 season winless, Beaufort’s rapid rise to the association's upper echelon over the past two campaigns is nothing short of remarkable.
However, that assention hasn’t garnered any additions to the trophy cabinet, including last season, where Colts Phelans denied them a Grand Final berth in both the one-day and two-day competition.
Following a stint at Mount Clear, Brandon Walsh has returned to the Bulls to captain the A grade side, determined to bring that alluded success.
“We’re heading into the new A grade season with an open mind and a sense of optimism. It’s shaping up to be a very even competition this year, and we definitely have our sights set on playing finals,” he said.
“We’re also looking forward to giving some of our under 17 players valuable A grade experience throughout the year. It’s a great opportunity to build depth and prepare the next generation of players while remaining competitive at the top level.
“The opportunity to come home and hopefully pass on some of (my) knowledge to our younger players, who are already very talented, was a big part of the decision to return.
“Ultimately, the main drive is to come back and try to win an A Grade premiership. I still remember losing the grand final back in 2010/11 as a 17-year-old — so to have the chance to be part of a winning side for Beaufort would mean a lot.”
It’s not just Beaufort’s A grade team that’s thriving, as the club will enter two teams in A reserve.
With the Bulls unable to field an under 17s team this season, Walsh said the implementation of two A reserve sides is an exciting solution for the community, ensuring sufficient playing time for local cricketers.
“It’s incredibly exciting for the club to have three senior teams this season — especially when you consider that just 10 years ago, we didn’t have any,” he said.
“To now be in a position where Beaufort will play Beaufort in A reserve is something special for the town. It’s the first time that’s happened since the 1990s, and it’ll be great for local cricket.
“Our numbers have been really strong across the board, and having two A reserve teams also means more opportunities — players won’t have to rotate or sit out every second week. Everyone who wants a game will get one, and that’s what club cricket is all about.”
One third of the 2024 MDCA Team of the Year were heralded from Beaufort, and while Tom Alexander has moved back to the UK after taking 22 wickets last season, superstar all-rounder Lachlan Oddie, and top-order batsman Kriss Ellis are once again expected to lead the way for the Bulls.
Alongside the return of Walsh, Beaufort hopes to replace Alexander with fellow Billingshurst Cricket Club player Lyle Aichroth and welcome in fellow Englishman Theo Trevelyan-Clark.
“It’s great to have both Lyle and Theo on board this season. They’re both very talented young cricketers who bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the group,” Walsh said.
“They’ll add depth to the team and are the kind of players who lift those around them — both on and off the field. We’re really looking forward to seeing what they can do this season.”