Marooned
Blues touch-up bodes ill for Queensland fans
Volume 11, No. 44, June 01, 2006
By Capt Keith Wilkinson

Clash of titans: Cfn Clint Gardiner, NSW, and Sgt John Flemett, Queensland, go head to head in the International State of Origin series in Iraq. Photos by AB Kade Rogers.

Down and dusty: Pte Thomas Button, NSW, plays the ball as Queensland’s LCpl Christopher Yow gets back on side..

STATE of Origin rugby league holds Australia enthralled at this time of year – but it’s all ho-hum for AMTG2 who created their own “desert storm” when NSW beat Queensland two games to nil in a local state-of-origin touch-football series.

Itching for some football action with the State of Origin growing nearer and the chance of watching on television almost non-existent, our deployed troops were not to be out done, creating their own “International State of Origin” series, which was hotly contested.
Because AMTG2’s principal role is to assist in the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Iraq, touch football was chosen in an effort to mitigate the danger of major injuries that could reduce the group’s capability.

Once approved, WO2 Buck Rodgers contacted the National Rugby League – a great supporter of the ADF, which kindly donated State of Origin jerseys just in time for game three.

Game one of the series saw NSW win a close, high-scoring game, 9 points to 7 on April 7. NSW came out firing after half time and scored three quick tries in the first five minutes. Queensland did well in catching up, but time was not in their favour.

Best and fairest went to the NSW captain, WO2 Buck Rodgers. Sgt Martin Stewart played above expectations and scored several good tries, simply by being in the right place at the right time.

NSW was again too good in a tight and extremely quick game two, on April 14, winning 5-3. The Blues played an excellent attacking game with quick movement of the ball. Queensland’s defence finally tired and was punctured by the Cockroaches.
Best and fairest went to WO2 Ian Hoskins, who showed real flair and proved himself a team player. Cpl Craig Carpenter and LCpl Chris Yow both had outstanding games for Queensland.

With honour and pride on the line and reputations at stake, the Cane Toads came out firing to open the scoring early in game three, on April 28. The Queenslanders fired up several times in a fast, hotly-contested match to force a 3-all draw. A golden opportunity went begging for the Cane Toads in the dying moments, when ‘Squiz’ – who asked that his real name not be mentioned – dropped the ball over the line.

Best and fairest was Cpl Nicholas Bencsevich, who played a good, solid game, as did Cpl Craig Carpenter. For NSW, Cfn Clint Gardiner showed great speed in scoring a try and “coming from nowhere” to save another.

With the Iraqi series done and dusted, the desert-based Cockroaches hope their effort proves an omen for their home-based namesakes for the clash with Queensland when the real deal plays out over coming weeks.

CO AMTG2 Lt-Col Peter Short said competitions such as the International State of Origin series were encouraged because they were great for morale and kept soldiers fit.