Volume 49, No. 21, November 16, 2006

TOP CATCH: ABATA Geoff Crossman displayed a safe pair of hands to end Air Force’s innings during the ACT Inter-Service cricket competition at Kingston Oval in Canberra. Photo: LSPH Neil Richards

By Barry Rollings

A lunchtime downpour and a resolute innings by Navy on the final day’s play against Army secured the ACT Inter-Service cricket competition at Kingston Oval in Canberra on November 2.

Navy went into the match knowing that it needed to win to take the title because an Army win would have allowed Air Force to successfully defend the title last contested in 2002.
Air Force had held the title in 2000, 01 and 02, deposing Navy in 2000 after a reign of about 10 years.

As it turned out, the weather was the final arbiter on who won the title.

The match was declared a draw around lunch-time on the final day with a thunderstorm making the ground unsafe for play after Navy had completed its innings at 215 (all out).

Air Force finished second with a win and a loss and Army was third with a draw and one loss.

Navy’s final day total was boosted by a last-wicket stand of 96 by Navy captain CPOWTR Peter Schultz and CPOSTD Bryan “Scratcher” Neal, who scored 51 not out and 49 respectively after coming together when the score was 9-119. For Army, CPL Glenn Kremmer took 5-36 and GNR Shaun Timmes captured 3-19.

SMNWTR Nick Magafas got Navy off to a flying start when they beat Air Force convincingly on day one of the competition. Navy had won the toss and elected to bat with SMNWTR Magafas cracking 111 off 41 overs.

Then, as stand-in wicketkeeper, SMNWTR Magafas snared two catches behind the stumps. Thanks to his dig and solid support from CPOSTD Neal (62 not out), CPOET Paul Tetley (31) and LSCSO Chris Berry (24), Navy had rattled on 261 for the loss of six wickets at the end of their 50 overs. OCDT James Lee took 2-27 from five overs for Air Force.

In reply Air Force was all out for 247.