A Queensland U19 player prepares to dismiss a Defence batsmen during the U19s defeat of the ADF representative team in a one-day match in Brisbane on November 22. Photo by Sgt Mark Dowling, 1JPAU(P)

Army denied by tie
Airforce retains ADF national title at carnival in Brisbane

By Andrew Stackpool
THREE days of intense play saw Army narrowly beaten for the Interservice cricket trophy.

Although the result was a tied series with one game each, Air Force retains the trophy as the current holders.

The Australian Services Cricket Association (ASCA) National Cricket Carnival was held at the Brisbane Grammar Playing Fields from November 16-18.

Slower than an off-pay week, the wicket proved difficult to score runs on, resulting in the closest carnival for the past 10 years.

Despite the high hopes for scores of 250-plus, the result was a low scoring carnival in which bowlers bested the batsmen in all matches.

Army's loss to Air Force by two wickets followed their convincing win over Navy on November 16, 7 for 171 against Navy's 9 for 169.

The next day saw Navy dominate RAAF 122-112. With Army's victory, Air Force desperately needed to win the final game to retain the trophy.

Air Force won the toss and put Army in to bat, subsequently bowling them out for 85.

Army coach WO1 Barry James said Air Force had had a very dominant side last year and the indications had been that Navy were bringing a stronger team to the carnival.

"The game against Navy is always hard and from 8/110 they recovered with a good final batting effort to total 169," he said.

"The bowling efforts were shared with Tpr Wade Clark, Sgt Mark Jackson and Pte Leigh Odermatt all snaring two wickets each.

"The chase was always going to be hard and with the loss of early wickets Army was looking at defeat in the first match.

"Cpl Ian Chattin [42] and Cfn Jason Hahn [26 not out] came to the rescue at the end and guided Army to a strong victory.

"Navy then surprised all by defeating the very strong RAAF side the following day.

"This set the scene for the final game of the tournament, RAAF and Army.

"RAAF were in a spot. If they won, the series would be tied and they would retain the trophy. But if Army won, they would be the new national champions.

"RAAF surprised Army when they won the toss and elected to bowl. It proved a sound decision. Army never settled into a partnership with a regular procession of wickets falling.

"Cpl Mark Davidson (21) and Jason Hahn again (17) could only offer some moderate resistance.

"The team was all out for a meager 85, but the wicket was hard to bat on and a loss of early wickets by RAAF put the pressure right back on them.

"At 6/69 they were struggling, when Cpl Matt Cooper strode to the crease and made a very valuable 24 not out to give them the victory and a drawn series.

Cfn Hahn was the sole Army destroyer, taking 5/25 from his 10 overs, supported by Sgt Jackson chipping in with 2/23 from his seven.

• The Craig Kolaritsch Memorial Award for the Best Army Cricketer of the Carnival was awarded to Cfn Jason Hahn, 10FSB, Townsville, for his fine all round efforts. Cpl Craig Kolaritsch was tragically killed in a vehicle accident at Kapooka earlier this year. His mother, Sue Jones who was present at the ceremony with her daughter and parents, presented Cfn Hahn with the award.

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