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Sport
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Damien Stubbs, ADFA, smashes the ball down the middle during
the game at Victoria Barracks, Sydney, between ADFA and
Training Command – Army. Photo provided by Midn Ben
Wenban, ADFA |
ADFA
downs TC-A
By
Midn Ben Wenban
THE ADFA Cougars Cricket Club has returned from Sydney with the
silverware after their third biannual cricket match against Training
Command – Army (TC–A) at Victoria Barracks.
In a low-scoring contest, it was the mettle of the boys from Canberra
that turned the game, despite the best efforts of TC-A’s LAC
Michael Gunn.
After handing over the trophy last September, the Cougars sent a
strong side to Sydney in late March, but TC-A had also bolstered
their ranks with players from other units, including current ADF
representatives.
TC-A called correctly and sent ADFA into bat on a green two-paced
wicket. The Cougars started out slowly, losing openers OCdt Paul
Hynes and OCdt Cam Robottom cheaply.
However, a strong stand from the middle order, including OCdt Justin
Ryan, OCdt Rodney Davis and Sgt Martin Stewart, steadied the side
and pushed the total into three figures with overs in hand.
It was the introduction of left-arm quick, LAC Gunn for TC-A that
did the damage to the Cougars line-up. The captain of the ADF side
picked up 3-17 from his 7-over spell and was ably assisted by Capt
Mark Neich who bowled consistently and without luck to register
3-41 from his ten overs.
The tail made timely contributions as OCdt Tom Van De Waterbeemdt
and OCdt Ben Watson found cow corner to see the Cougars post 154
from their 49.5 overs.
In return, TC-A made a healthy start as the pitch showed signs of
more consistent bounce. LAC Gunn, who had raced to 22 at better
than a run-a-ball, appeared to be in fine form before top-edging
a full-toss from OCdt Ben Atherton to deep square-leg.
This triggered a collapse for the home team as perennial wicket-taker,
OCdt Pete Nugent ripped through the heart of the top-order, finishing
with 3-25 to add to his summer of wickets.
OCdt Watson took a scintillating catch at gully to give OCdt Robottom
his first wicket, as the ADFA side began to dominate. OCdt Watson
then got in on the act, snaring a wicket of his own, to have TC-A
stumbling at seven for 77.
Sgt Ingram then took the batting up to the attack and plundered
his way to an impressive half-century to leave TC-A just 21 runs
shy of the target with three wickets still in hand.
It was OCdt Brendan Corbett, who returned for his second spell to
work wonders with the older ball. He had the remaining three batsman
caught behind by OCdt Davis for just one run to finish with figures
of 3-27 from his six overs leaving the TC-A dismissed in the 28th
over for 134.
The two sides will next clash in September this year, with the opportunity
of TC-A traveling to Canberra to play the match on RMC’s Oval
No. One.
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