This year marked the 50th anniversary of the interstate Bar cricket match between New South Wales and Queensland. Inaugurated in 1973 by the Hon RV Gyles AO KC and the Hon IDF Callinan AC KC, this fixture has been a consistent blend of competitiveness and camaraderie for decades. In most years, the determination on each side to secure bragging rights frequently produces some very good individual performances and an often close result. This year’s contest was no exception.

Under the honorary patronage of Bell CJ, the Chief Justice’s XI travelled to Brisbane for the milestone clash. New South Wales opted for a mix of youth and experience, both physically and legally. Skippered by Gyles SC, the team in batting order comprised Ali Cheema, Alistair Vincent, Nicholas Bilinsky, Sean Docker SC, Manu Jaireth, Hugh Stowe, Patrick Knowles SC, Lachlan Gyles SC, Ross Dalgleish, Ian Neil SC, and Judge Jonathan Priestley SC. The team would have been further fortified by the irrepressible talent of Dave Carroll were it not for the hex of the Qantas curse, which resulted in the sudden cancellation of his flight at the eleventh hour.

The Queensland side consisted of Charles Matthews (c), Scott McLeod KC, Chris Crawford, Chris Johnstone, Chris Templeton, James Penrose, Anthony Messina, Ben O’Sullivan, Peter Somers, Tom Jackson, and Judge Bernard Porter KC.

The match was played under initially overcast skies on the beautiful Old Boys Field at Churchie school (adjacent the Main Oval). The pitch – reputed to be one of the best in the whole of Queensland, according to Kevin Mitchell Jnr, the curator of the Gabba – was well-prepared yet with a firm covering of green and a hint of sub-surface moisture due to overnight rain. With brighter afternoon conditions forecast, the side bowling first and batting second always looked like it might enjoy the ‘rub of the green’.

Queensland won the toss and duly elected to bowl.

New South Wales were undeterred by the spongy track and made a very solid start in testing conditions. Cheema (52) and Vincent (31) put on a strong opening partnership of nearly 60, the former playing shots of effortless languor (in the mould of David Gower) while the latter launched aggressively into loose deliveries with the careless abandon of a burly woodchopper. With the demise of Vincent (run out), Bilinsky (44) joined Cheema and continued the right-hand/left-hand combination, playing shots and keeping the run rate buoyant. Cheema’s retirement brought Docker SC to the crease. Usually a dominant force with bat as well as ball, Docker SC (6) was unable on this occasion to post a score of substance, chipping an early offering to cover point. Jaireth (26) then entered and immediately announced himself on debut by belting a full toss over deep square leg for six.

He combined well initially with Bilinsky (out LBW), then Stowe (6) and finally Knowles SC (9), before the latter exercised his seniority and called Jaireth through for a hairy single that left him miles short of his ground. By this stage, however, the score had reached 182 and two overs remained. As if avenging poor Jaireth, Gyles SC determined instanter to snip the thread of Knowles’ fate by himself running Knowles out attempting a cheeky single!

Unfortunately, the attempted run was too cheeky as Gyles SC pulled his gluteal muscle in the process, with its own fateful consequences for the team. Crestfallen, Gyles then sought to heave away at the next offering but was bowled by the Queenslander skipper, Charles Matthews, for 0. Dalgleish followed, then departed, also leaving the scorers untroubled, with the final balls of the innings going to Neil SC (1 n/o) and Priestley SC (1 n/o).

New South Wales finished on a very commendable 8/185 off 35 overs. Given the early ‘dewy’ conditions and slow outfield, there was some conjecture about whether this was a ‘par’ score or an ‘above par’ score, but ultimately New South Wales had the advantage of runs on the board and Queensland would have to chase them down if they were to win.

In reply, Docker SC took the new ball with Jaireth (0–21), the former settling into good rhythm and pace. The first wicket came with the score on 22 when Docker (1–11 off 7) scythed his way through Messina’s defences, clean-bowling him for 13. Cheema (1–10) was brought on, but for only one over, to replace Jaireth. His introduction and slower medium pace saw the ever-dangerous Templeton (24) well caught behind the wicket by Stowe, attempting to cut a ball behind square. Score: 2–39.

With the openers dismissed, a 63-run partnership then ensued between the debutant, Penrose (50), and Matthews. The Queenslanders responded with high quality shot selection, and things were looking decidedly ominous until the evergreen Priestley (1–40 off 7) bowled a peach of a delivery, shaping the ball away from Matthews (36) and hitting the top of his off stump.

There was a palpable sense of relief at the fall of Matthews’ wicket and, with the score at 3–102 at drinks, the match was in the balance (although wickets were going to be key if New South Wales were to win the match).

Stowe (sharing wicket-keeping duties with Knowles SC) did his best to bolster the tiring New South Wales bowling attack with some handy seamers. His efforts (2–44 off 7) helped prise out the wickets of Jackson (1), well pouched by Docker at midwicket, and Somers (12), trapped LBW.

Sadly, however, the New South Wales bowling lost its early potency and the sun emerged to make batting considerably easier in the afternoon. When the redoubtable McLeod SC (36 n/o) combined with Crawford (8 n/o) to hit the winning runs with two overs remaining, it became apparent that the loss of Gyles SC (to injury) and Carroll (to aerial misadventure) was probably the difference between the sides.

Credit must go to Queensland for the cool way they approached the run chase, reeling in New South Wales’s sizeable total and winning back ‘Tub’s Club’ in the semicentennial year.

At the traditional post-match dinner with partners, put on by the hosts, there were some extremely witty and entertaining reminiscences from Gyles KC and Gyles SC. Their on- and off-field observations of the fixture over the course of 50 years demonstrated to all the extent of their longsustained and quiet contributions, as well as the spirit of conviviality and friendship that the fixture continues to promote. BN