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By Trevor Vayro
7thth A.B.C.C. Brisbane Carnival 1964-65
This was my fifth carnival and I was looking forward to captaining Queensland in my home State. Four states competed in this carnival - Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. It was a single round series with a two day final. The two grounds used were the playing fields situated in front of the Clubhouse and second ground on top of the hill near Souths Rugby Union Oval. This second ground was very sub standard but the pitch was in good condition.
Victoria unfortunately drew the short end of the straw and competed in all three matches on this second ground. The carnival was officially declared open by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Henry Abel Smith who became a staunch supporter of the QBCA during his seven years residence in Queensland.
Queensland met Tasmania and defeated them on the first innings having dismissed their team for a small score and after declaring Queensland had Tasmania seven wickets down for about sixty runs in the second innings. Victoria defeated New South Wales on the first innings. The second day's play resulted in Queensland being defeated on the first innings by New South Wales. Tasmania surprised by winning on the first innings against Victoria. The Victorian team batting first soon had their totally blind dismissed and declared after batting three partially players just over one hundred runs. Tasmania batted with much spirit and John Richards last batsman for Tasmania passed their score. The third day's play was to be an important one with each State having scored on win each one loss each. Queensland batting first scored ninety seven runs with Ivan Molloy taking a hat trick dismissing two totally blind and one partially batsman. This was the first occasion a totally blind had taken a hat trick in Carnival cricket. Victoria batting second were intent on percentages and at the end of the day's play their score stood at six wickets for more than 160 runs. As captain of Queensland I was most disappointed and vowed that Queensland would one day even the score with Victoria by scoring a high number of runs against their State. This was to take eleven years when Queensland scored in excess of 200 runs against Victoria in an Interstate Carnival between our two States. The second match resulted in New South Wales defeating Tasmania and thus Victoria and New South Wales again met in another final over two days. The final proved a non-event with Victoria defeating New South Wales outright by several wickets on the second day.
Social functions were held for the visiting States at the R.B.S of Qld in South Brisbane, New Years Eve Function at Yeronga R.S.L and the final function at the Buffalo Hall in Fortitude Valley. Trophies were presented at this function with Bob Evans and Ivan Molloy winning the best carnival player award for their categories. These two players were also the best players for Victoria. New South Wales winners were Barry Ward and Brian Barron. Tasmania winners were Warren Dowling and Ian Nicholls. Queensland winners were Bill McKennariey and Trevor Vayro .
Readers may be interested to learn that accommodation was arranged at the following hotels. Victoria stayed at the Windsor Hotel, now replaced by Crest International Hotel, New South Wales stayed at Daniel Hotel, now replaced by Brisbane Plaza in Adelaide Street, whilst Tasmania stayed at Canberra Private Hotel now replaced by the famous Hole in the Ground, location for the Tallest Building in the World which did not eventuate. All these past hotels were well known as land marks of Brisbane some thirty years ago.
The Brisbane Carnival was a great success and all players keenly looked forward to the next carnival to be held in Hobart. This carnival was also to be the last one for former player from New South Wales, their captains Barry Ward who had a fine record as a partially player. Two members making their debut in Brisbane were Colin Bishop as Umpire and Rod Mills competing in his first carnival as a young player. Rod was to play many carnivals in the future with much success. Until next edition, enjoy your recess and I look forward to meeting you at Yeronga Park soon.