For the first time in the history of the ACT Public Service League Cricket Competition, the Department of Home Affairs cricket team won the Grand Final, defeating minor premiers and defending champions Treasury on Sunday 3 March.
After overcoming the Australian Federal Police in a high scoring semi-final, which Team Manager Murray Woodford described as Home Affairs’ “best performance ever”, the Home Affairs team went one better in the Grand Final in Deakin and engineered a thrilling upset victory to defeat Treasury by just four runs.
Home Affairs batted first, managing only 135 on a difficult pitch before being bowled out in the 34th over, with Avinash Patharkar top scoring on 49.
In reply, Treasury were 2-54 in the 12th over when a middle order batting collapse brought on by Home Affairs bowler Patrick Bryson (4-10 off 8 overs) saw them all out for 131.
According to Patrick Bryson, despite some lively inter-agency rivalry throughout the season, the competition was always played in good spirits.
Mr Bryson said the Home Affairs team will be presented with its winning trophy at the Public Service League Association end of season presentation on 15 March, and look forward to defending the title next season.
Back Row (L-R) : Patrick Bryson, Bharat Nichani, Nishant Rao, Matt Blundell, Phil Turner, Murray Woodford.
Front Row : Greg Johnson, Avinash Patharkar, Jeremy Cropper, Ganesh Kasar, Blake Milligan, James Milligan, Kumar Krishna.
