Six make big league

A NSW Country player is taken down in a fierce North Queensland tackle during the recent Combined Australian Services Rugby League championships in Sydney. Photo by Michael Weaver.

FINAL SCORES

. DAY ONE North QLD defated NSW Metro 32-10 DAY TWO NSW Country defeated NSW Metro 36-4 North QLD defeated South QLD 18-6 DAY THREE NSW Country defeated South QLD 36-16 FINAL North QLD defeated NSW Country 16-6 .

SIX Air Force rugby league players have gained selection in the Combined Australian Services Rugby League (CASRL) side, picked after the recent championships held in Sydney from October 3-7.

The 24-man squad features 20 players, six support staff and a further eight shadow players.

Air Force players Leading Aircraftman Craig Hall, Corporal Craig Robinson, Corporal Rick Kiely, Corporal Anthony Piggott and shadow players Leading Aircraftman Aaron Power and Corporal Grant Elliott were selected on the basis of solid performances in the championships.

The North Queensland Defenders maintained an unbeaten effort to take victory in the tournament, which also featured combined service teams from NSW Country, NSW Metro and South Queensland.

The championship saw a return of rugby league to the ADF after an absence of four years.

A touring British side from the Army Medical Service also played an exhibition game against South Queensland to round off the event.

The CASRL side was selected for possible games later this year and early next year against a NSW Correctional Services side and a Victorian state side.

CASRL president Warrant Officer 2 Grahame Cavanough said he was also pushing for the side to be included in the Arafura Games to be held in Darwin from May 17-24, featuring top sides from throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

• By Michael Weaver

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