The annual cricket contest between North Queensland and South Queensland was played at Harrup Park, Mackay over the week-end of 4th and 5th December. Winning the toss South Queensland captain Craig Jesberg decided to take first use of the crease but the move backfired when Neill was bowled in the second over from the fourth ball he faced. But that ended the early success for North Queensland as Tony Dwyer and Brian May settled into a fine second wicket partnership which was dominated by the former.

On the dismissal of Dwyer at 112 Rynne joined May and 78 runs were added for the third wicket before May left, precipitating a minor middle order collapse but the innings was steadied as Jesberg joined Rynne to add 60 for the sixth wicket.

In a very fine display Dwyer was severe on anything loose and scored his runs from 78 balls faced. May on the other hand was much more sedate faced 146 balls while Rynne was there for 165 balls faced. Towards the end of the innings Toohey showed some useful form with the bat and remained unconquered when the innings closed, having faced 31 balls for his runs. North Queensland captain Kim Evetts sprang a surprise when he introduced slow left armer Stewart MacDonald to bowl the tenth over of the innings, replacing Brian Hawke. Hawke had been expensive early but later bowled with more economy.

MacDonald allowed only one run from his first over and then sent down a maiden but after that the batsmen treated him much more severely, though in his second spell he bowled four maidens, three of them in consecutive overs. Darren Frakes provided the vital break through with his medium paced deliveries and finished with the bowling honours. Craig Window also proved a handy change bowler, sending down four overs to capture two wickets in conceding just four runs. The South Queensland innings concluded shortly after four o’clock and North Queensland were left with 32 overs to face before stumps would be drawn.

South Queensland surprised by bringing on Paul Toohey to take second use of the ball as opening bowling partner to Mick Warden. In his second over Mick Warden made a vital breakthrough in dismissing North Queensland skipper Kim Evetts for 2. From that point the other opener Peter McGiffin and number three batsman Brad Eathorne held out to stumps, taking the score to 73. Play on this first day ended at a few minutes after six o’clock.

On the second morning play commenced at nine o’clock and the over night batsmen continued slowly until Eathorne was run out at 90. Runs continued to come slowly as the wicket was playing somewhat low and slow. As time progressed the the game seemed to be slipping away from North Queensland as runs came at a slow rate. The South Queensland bowling remained tight throughout the day and wickets fell from time to time until it was just a matter of time that South Queensland would gain victory. At some five minutes before 2.30pm with the last pair at the creases and 112 overs bowled the match was concluded with South Queensland having an advantage of 38 runs.

© CricInfo