TWO of Tamworth's most prolific lawyers have played a key role in Australia taking out the bi-annual lawyers cricket World Cup.
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Richard O'Halloran and Nick Leyden donned the green and gold at the tournament in New Zealand and helped steer Australia to victory in the final over Sri Lanka.
The tournament was Leyden's second time representing Australia, while O'Halloran was making his World Cup debut.
Cruising through the pool stages of the 35-over-a-side tournament, the Australian side saved their two best performances for last, when they defeated Pakistan in the semi-final and Sri Lanka in the grand final.
The victory marked back-to-back World Cup wins for Australia, both grand final victories having come against Sri Lanka.
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Leyden, a member of both World Cup winning teams, said the experience in New Zealand was one he'd never forget.
"It was a really memorable tour, that's for sure," Leyden told the Leader.
"We had a lot of really great guys in our squad who, together, made the whole experience really enjoyable.
"There's a lot of goodwill, not just within our Australian team but with all the different countries."
Playing in a star-studded Australian lineup, Leyden - by his own admission - was rarely required with the bat.
However, he made an impact with the ball.
Meanwhile, O'Halloran turned plenty of heads with bat and ball in his maiden World Cup campaign.
"Richie was pretty impressive in his first few games," Leyden said.
"By the end of the tour, we were calling him 'Red-ink Richie' because he finished not-out so many times.
"He was also able to pick up a few wickets with his leg spinners as well, which was pretty impressive.
"Honestly, Richie deserves a lot of praise, because he played really well throughout the tournament."
As well as plenty of cricket action, Leyden said the players were also offered plenty of workplace tips.
"There were guys from a variety of different fields of the industry on the tour," he said.
"Country-based guys like myself, barristers, city-based lawyers; there were guys from every area of law.
"A highlight of the tour was a sports-law conference hosted by Sir John Hansen, [who] oversaw the Harbajhan Singh-Andrew Symonds appeal hearing in 2007.
"It was very interesting, and we were extremely fortunate to hear from someone like that.
"The tour was not just a cricket success but also a professional success as well."
Leyden said he was eager to represent Australia again in the future.
"The next World Cup is in Trinidad next year and I'd really like to be amongst it again," he said.
"As well as that, there is also talk of a potential tour of Pakistan this year.
"Honestly, if this tour is anything to go by, I'll be very keen to put my hand up again."