 |
|
Cpl
Troy Jewell, 1MP Coy, tackles the opposition as Pte Greg Robertson,
1RAR, assists. Pte Sam Steward, 10FSB, ready to grab the ball
while Pte Adam Wallace, 3CSSB, keeps an eye on the action.
Photo by Michael Weaver
|
 |
| North
Queensland Defenders revel in their success atthe the Combined
Australian Service Rugby Championships. Photo by LCpl Shane
Schofield, 10FSB |
RESULTS |
-
Day
one – North Queensland def NSW Metro 32-10
-
Day
two – NSW Country def NSW Metro 36-4
-
Day
two – North Queensland def South Queensland 18-6
-
Day
three – NSW Country def South Queensland 36-16
Final
-
Day
four – North Queensland def NSW Country 16-6
-
Exhibition
game – South Queensland def British Army Medical
Service 32-4
Player
of the series – Pte Adam Wallace, 3CSSB, North
Queensland
|
By
Michael Weaver
THE North Queensland Defenders maintained an unbeaten effort to
take victory at a rough and tumble Combined Australian Services
Rugby League Championships in Sydney from October 3-7.
Featuring
combined service teams from NSW Country, NSW Metro, South Queensland
and victors North Queensland, the championship saw a return of
rugby league to the ADF after an absence of four years.
A
touring British side from the Army Medical Service also played
an exhibition game against South Queensland to round off the event.
Most
teams gave themselves a week of preparation while accommodated
at Randwick Barracks in the lead-up, however unseasonably hot
weather and three one-hour games in four days still took its toll.
The
event was also held at the end of a standard rugby league season,
with next year’s championship to be held in Canberra in March,
taking a service against service format.
The
preliminary action saw North Queensland and NSW Country finish
with two wins each, while South Queensland and NSW Metro were
both on the receiving end with two losses apiece.
Highlights
included a bruising encounter between NSW Country and South Queensland,
featuring plenty of big hits in the 36-16 scoreline.
The
final on October 6 between NSW Country and North Queensland was
played in near 30-degree temperature, taking a four by 15-minute
quarter format to give players an extra break.
In
a tough encounter, the Queenslanders took a 10-6 lead into half-time
after scoring a converted try just before the break.
The
third quarter became a typical arm wrestle in the midday sun,
before North Queensland second-rower and eventual player of the
series Pte Adam Wallace posted the winner in the last quarter
for a 16-6 championship victory.
