By Cpl Tony Purton
North Queensland (NQ) Army recently smashed their way to victory leaving Brisbane with the Interservice Shield in their possession.

The Queensland Interservice Cricket Carnival was held at Marchant Park in Brisbane.

Day one saw NQ Army defeat South Queensland (SQ) by three wickets.

NQ Army won the toss against SQ Army and elected to field.

On a soft wicket SQ were bowled out for 117.

In reply NQ lost seven wickets, four of those taken by Sgt Geoff Ingram who bowled quick and ended with 4/19 off nine overs.

Cfn Ian Roberts hit the ball hard and made 36 valuable runs.

Day two was a battle of the green and blue with NQ Army defeating Queensland RAAF by 83 runs. RAAF won the toss and elected to field.

Rain affected the wicket again, causing a late start. NQ made a very competitive 8 for 196.

Cfn Roberts, unleashed some big hits - 80 not-out with support from Salmon, 51, and Porter, 23.

Baldry had good figures, 4/13 off eight overs.

RAAF looked good at 3/78, Amiet, 22, and Dockett, 21, showed a bit of grit, but once they were out the end was near.

Day three unfolded to see Queensland RAAF defeat SQ Army by four runs.

RAAF won the toss and elected to bat. RAAF got off to a flier thanks to Wooster, showing a bit of flair as he slapped up a quick 31.

Dockett looked solid for a well-compiled 39. Fisher for six and Chattin on eight not-out added a couple of handy runs to the RAAF total.

SQ Army looked solid in the chase as Jackson cruised to 52.

A collapse saw rear guard action from Noonan, 16, and Morris, 17.

The chase fell four short. Burke was very handy with the ball, picking up 4/23 off 10 overs.

Batsman of the carnival was Cfn Ian Roberts (NQ Army),with 36 against SQ Army and 80 not-out against RAAF.

Bowler of the carnival was Cfn Jason Hahn, SQ, 1/12 off nine overs against NQ Army and 4/15 off 10 overs against RAAF.

Player of the carnival was Cfn Roberts on account of his batting and 2/16 off 2 overs against SQ Army and 1/0 off one over against RAAF.

The National ADF cricket coach WO1 Barry James was at the carnival and announced that approval had been given for the ADF cricket team to tour the UK on an ashes tour.

The tour will be the 60th Anniversary of the first Services cricket tour to the UK.

The services team that toured 60 years ago was captained by Lindsay Hassett, later Captain of Australia.

The ADF cricket team will tour the UK during July and August in 2005.

The selection process for this tour will be through state interservice carnivals such as the Queensland one and the national carnival, which will be conducted at the end of this year.

• For further information on the Carnival contact Cpl Tony Purton, SEQ team manager, on (07) 3332 7838, mobile 0421 887 211, fax (07) 3332 6476 or e-mail tony.purton@defence.gov.au

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