Last Saturday, the Burdekin Roosters pulled off a stunning turnaround, avenging their 40-point thrashing by Charters Towers with a spirited 28–24 win. Down 18–4 at halftime, they showed remarkable fortitude to storm home, even with tough utility Kali Nauque spending 10 minutes in the bin.

Standout performances from Nevia Nawave, Isaia Vuda, and Kelevi Ralulu proved decisive. Nawave’s powerful running and tackle-breaking set the attacking platform, while Vuda and Ralulu’s explosive carries repeatedly split the Towers’ defensive line. Their relentless work laid the foundation, with the forwards dominating the middle third.

Halfback Dylan Doak came off the bench to steer the side with smart kicking and composure, landing four goals to seal the win. Tries came from Nawave, Terry Connors, Isiah Kuda, and Hayde Munro. The victory keeps Burdekin fifth, equal on points with fourth-placed Western Lions—whom they face away this Sunday—before hosting third-placed Herbert River next week. Captain Joel Mason is sidelined with a knee injury.

The reserves edged Bowen 14–4 in a scrappy match shortened by 18 minutes due to a serious Bowen injury. Down 4–0 at halftime, Burdekin hit back with tries to Sakilisa Dreunimolea, Keon Noah, and Morgan Noah. Llama Ghee was again dangerous, with strong forward efforts from Jack Rushton and Riley Easton.

The Burdekin River Ladies dominated Bowen 80–8, running in 14 tries and 12 goals. 2024 Queensland Country back Toni Daisy scored three, while Tanley Rowe crossed four times. Tiana Krutzfeldt added two tries and a goal, giving her 22 points in two weeks. Forwards Lily Chappell, Taleisha Bulgarelli, Rebecca Pace (12 goals), and Sarah Castles impressed.

Elsewhere, A grade: Souths beat Brothers 34–10, Centrals beat Norths 30–20, Western Lions beat Herbert River 44–14. Reserve grade: Brothers beat Souths 28–12, Centrals beat Norths 32–22, Herbert River beat Western Lions 26–12, Charters Towers bye. Ladies: Centrals beat Norths 38–6.

This week, Burdekin must beat Western Lions in both A and Reserves to stay in finals contention. Tate Brombal and Joel Mason are out; Ethan Hagarty returns, and Doak will play five-eighth. Caleb Noah’s return lifts the reserves.

Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes

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On the 19th of July the Ayr Surf Club hosted the Annual North Barrier Branch Presentation Night to wrap up the 2024-25 Season.  The night is a celebration to recognise members from the seven clubs across the Branch - Forrest Beach, Arcadian, Townsville-Picnic Bay, Ayr, Eimeo, Mackay and Sarina - for their dedication, commitment and love of lifesaving in a variety of facets.  Surf sports athletes, teams, coaches and officials were recognised as well as volunteers in their respective areas.  Four of our local lifesavers were acknowledged for their involvement in surf lifesaving for the season and all progress onto the Surf Life Saving Queensland Awards of Excellence as nominees later this month.  A massive congratulations to Stephanie Dale - Official of the Year, Kristy Wassmuth - Master Athlete of the Year, Briella Wassmuth - U14 Junior Lifesaver of the Year and Kellie Lawry - Surf Lifesaver of the Year.

2025-26 Season Commences

The 2025-26 Season of lifesaving has also commenced. The Ayr Surf Club held a Come and Try Day and their nipper program has commenced, however if you are keen to join the club for a fantastic family friendly activity, please reach out to ayrslsc@gmail.com or Junior Activities Co-ordinator Kellie Lawry for further details. The patrolling season at Alva Beach will commence on Saturday 20th September, and the club is always looking for more dedicated volunteers to join our patrolling ranks, so please contact club admin for further information.

Over the weekend, the club had 17 keen competitors head to the first carnival of the season at Townsville-Picnic Bay on the Strand to go head-to-head in a water carnival for the day on Saturday 9th. The kids braved the chilly water a little earlier in the season than normal and all had a fantastic day bringing home some great individual and team results. The nipper program will continue over the coming months, with competitors also looking forward to a regular schedule of carnivals leading up to Christmas.

Contributed with thanks to Kellie Lawry

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North Barrier Branch Award winners - Stephanie Dale (Official of the Year), Kristy Wassmuth (Masters Athlete of the Year), Briella Wassmuth (U14 Junior Lifesaver of the Year) & Kellie Lawry (Surf Lifesaver of the Year)
Ayr Team representing at Townsville-Picnic Bay Carnival
Zachary Dale winning U15 Male Ironperson

Quinn Pontifex and Mackenzie Sartori before their U9 Surf Race

Hoyt Pontifex starting U11 Ironperson

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Three young Burdekin bowlers will put their skills to the test at the 2025 ANC Sunshine Coast Ultimate Tenpin Cup and Ultimate Teams Clash Junior Competitions over the week extending from Thursday the 14th of August until Wednesday the 20th of August.

14-year-old Aidan Butler, 14-year-old Chase Nucifora, and 16-year-old Xavier Jepsen will travel to the Sunshine Coast to compete in the CLS Townsville Jigsaw Team, and the trio could not be more excited to catch up with old friends and make new ones across the six-day tournament.

Having attended the competition in the Gold Coast in 2024, Aiden developed a strong love for the sport six years ago and has played in a few local tournaments where he’s continued to reach new levels of success, breaking free from the bumper league and scoring a personal best game count of 257.

Xavier was first introduced to the bumper league by a family friend seven years ago and has since scored a personal best game count of 279.

With nine years of bowling experience and a personal best game count of 244, Chase jumped into the sport to follow in his family’s footsteps and never looked back.

Annually organised by Corner Pin Standings, the competition attracts players from across Australia and New Zealand to have a bowl with 10 male and 10 female teams set to impress judges for another year.

Weekly, the boys play in a number of bowling leagues, competing alongside both junior and adult players to improve their skills within the supportive Burdekin Bowl community. Although the boys continually look forward to the socialising aspect of tournaments such as the 2025 ANC Sunshine Coast Competition, the opportunity to beat their own top scores and grow their skillsets proves to be the most exciting challenge each year!

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Touch footy fans across the region are gearing up for an exciting day of action as the third annual Burdekin Mixed Touch Football Carnival returns to the Ayr touch fields on Saturday, the 23rd of August.

A growing highlight on the local sporting calendar, the carnival will welcome teams from Townsville, Bowen, Airlie Beach, and the Burdekin, with three divisions on offer: Mixed Under 16, Mixed Open, and Mixed Seniors (over 39 years).

The event promises friendly competition, community spirit, and a fun-filled atmosphere for players and spectators alike with cash prizes set to be awarded to the winners of each division.

Beyond the main competition, the carnival will also feature a range of entertaining sideline events including division sprints and the ever-popular Touch Shoot-Out competition. Spectators and players can also enjoy plenty of food and drinks available throughout the day.

To get involved, teams can nominate by emailing peter.knapton@bigpond.com or calling 0437 710 500.

Teams are able to nominate for just $20 per player, and players can pay on the day of the carnival.

Team nominations and fee payments close on the 15th of August, so don’t miss out on your chance to take the field!

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The Burdekin Mixed Touch Football Carnival will return for the third year this August (Photos Supplied)

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The Wilmar Club Challenge is set to unite all four Burdekin bowls clubs for a special community event this September. Marking the first time in decades that the clubs will compete side-by-side, the Challenge celebrates the spirit of bowls and the strong sense of community in the Burdekin region. Each club will field three teams of four players in a round-robin format, with points awarded for wins, losses, and draws. Supported by club leaders, this promises to be a memorable occasion for players and spectators alike.

Sport plays a vital role with families in the Burdekin community and providing the appropriate facilities and resources is a constant challenge for local clubs.

For generations, rugby league has been the beating heart of the Burdekin sporting community. At the centre of this proud tradition stands the Burdekin Roosters – a club forged in 1994, but whose roots go back over a century in local league.

Over the years, the Roosters have grown from strength to strength, evolving into a vital part of community life. Today, with a new generation of players stepping up across both the men's and women's teams, the club continues to uphold its strong values on and off the field.

That sense of pride has been amplified with the recent naming of Bendigo Bank Park – a testament to the enduring support from Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr. “The sponsorship has had a great impact on the Roosters community,” says club spokesperson Alex Lennox. “It’s brought a sense of professionalism and awareness to just how much the bank gives back to the region each year.”

This five-year partnership isn’t just about naming rights – it’s helping secure the club’s future. As a not-for-profit organisation, the Roosters rely heavily on local sponsorship to survive and thrive. Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr’s backing provides critical stability, funding maintenance and operational costs for new amenities and lighting infrastructure – investments that benefit both senior and junior leagues.

“This partnership reflects a shared vision for the future,” says Alex. “It’s helping us modernise outdated infrastructure and ensure we can offer a strong development pathway for players of all ages.”

And there’s room for everyone to get involved. Whether you're interested in playing, volunteering, sponsoring, or simply cheering from the sidelines, the Roosters welcome all.
Senior Branch Manager for Community Bank Home Hill & Ayr, Chantel Michielin, says their board felt that sporting fields and clubrooms become a second home for many families and the sponsorship of Bendigo Bank Park is a reinforcement of their commitment to recognise the value of sport.

“Sport plays a pivotal role in our community. A place where friendships are formed, skills are developed, and a love for the game is fostered”, says Chantel. “Our Community Bank values this connection and will continue to invest part of our profits back into sport in our region”

Catch the action at the final two home games of Burdekin Roosters this year at Bendigo Bank Park on August 9 and August 23. Come for the footy, stay for the community spirit.

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Looking for a fun way to keep your mind sharp and enjoy good company? The Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre hosts a friendly Mahjong group every Monday from 1pm–5pm, welcoming players of all ages and skill levels.

Mahjong, a traditional Chinese game believed to have originated in the Qing Dynasty, has been enjoyed for centuries for its perfect mix of strategy, memory, and a little bit of luck. Played with 144 beautifully decorated tiles, the game is often compared to rummy, as players draw and discard tiles to build winning hands. Beyond the rules, Mahjong has long been valued as a social pastime, bringing people together for conversation and connection.

Whether you’re an experienced player or completely new to the game, the group offers a relaxed and supportive environment to learn, play, and have fun.

So, if you’re free on Monday afternoons, why not give it a go? For more information or to express your interest, contact Dawn through the Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre on (07) 4783 4243.

What: Mahjong
When: Mondays, 1-5pm
Where: Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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A good weekend, for a change. for the Panthers, winning three, drawing one and losing one of the five matches. On Saturday, at home against Rebels, the Premiers won 5-0 as did the Reserves. On Friday, in Townsville the Ladies drew with Warriors 1-1, the Division 1 Men lost 0-1 to JCU Riverway but the Division 2 Men defeated Olympic 4-3.

In the Mooney Cup Charity Match, Rainbows defeated Blue Balls 3-0 after leading 2-0 at half time. Jake Lacey scored twice after Mick Lejarraga had opened the scoring.

This Saturday is another Big Day. The Premiers and Reserves are at home to JCU Riverway, the Premiers at 7.00 and the Reserves at 5.00. Saturday is also Sponsors and Old Boys Day! On Friday night the Ladies, are at home to Rebels at 6.30 but the Division 1 Men and Division 2 Men are both away in Townsville. The Division 1 take on Wulguru at 8.30 and the Division 2 are up against Estates at 6.30.

Premiers

The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 5-0 victory over the Rebels in a dominant performance from start to finish. From the opening whistle, the Panthers created a flurry of chances but struggled to make them count. It took a moment of individual brilliance from Ryan Scodellaro, who scored with a long-range strike, to break the deadlock and give Burdekin a 1-0 lead heading into the break.

Despite controlling possession and territory, poor finishing kept the scoreline tighter than it should have been in the first half. But that changed quickly after the restart. The Panthers came out firing, finally finding their shooting boots and piling on four more unanswered goals, through Kai Goodman, Jay Leckenby, Jaidyn Lambie Fabbro and a second goal from Ryan Scodellaro to put the result beyond doubt. The backline remained largely untested and secured a well-earned clean sheet in a complete team performance. The 5-0 win is a welcome boost and a statement of intent, but with a much tougher test against JCU looming this week, the Panthers will need to carry this momentum into what promises to be a far more challenging encounter.

Reserves

Burdekin Tyre Service Reserves were back at home to take on Rebels. The side was focussed and from the outset was able to create chances and dominate possession. The Panthers showed early patience to maintain composure and the first goal came at the twenty minute mark Jhett Jones finishing a good passing move. The Panthers game stayed positive, and their effort was rewarded just minutes before half-time when Elliott Dal Santo punished a defensive error. The second half was a comfortable game, with more goals coming from Cooper Kross, Leighton Gallagher and Brayden Card. The result was a boost for team confidence and a chance at finals is possible if the Panthers can maintain that momentum and good attitude.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Panthers played on Friday night against Riverway JCU. This was a very good fight by the Division 1 team. All players took their game to the next level and fought hard. The result did not reflect the way they played but the Panthers just couldn't score in a very good performance. JCU were ahead at half time, courtesy of an

own goal. Notable performances came from Adam Mottin, Oliver Mio and Brayden Card. Zack Durrant was again solid in goal.

Division 2 Men

The C.A Contracting Funkies played MA Olympic in a very entertaining game on Friday night. The Funkies dominated the first half and were rewarded with goals to Jake Lacey and Simon Scuderi. Chris Achille made it 3-0 with a great finish just after half time. In a strange turn of events, the Funkies got a red card during the goal celebration and down to ten men, allowed Olympic to score three goals in twenty minutes to level the score. In a very gritty and tense finish to the game, both teams had good chances, and it was Chris Achille who scored from close range in the last few minutes to give the Funkies at 4-3 a very deserving win. Burdekin finally achieved a win after a few weeks of draws and losses.

Ladies

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies faced off against Warriors in a tough contest that ended in a 1–1 draw. Sienna Lago opened the scoring in the first half with a well-placed shot, giving Burdekin an early lead. Despite a strong first-half performance, the Burdekin ladies were unable to maintain their advantage, with Warriors equalising in the second half. Burdekin continued to create multiple scoring opportunities but could not find the net to secure the win. The Ladies will be looking to bounce back stronger in their next match.

Juniors

A beautiful sunny day for juniors on Saturday both in Ayr and for teams traveling to Townsville. A lot of good football was played with a few sore and tired bodies by the end of the school term break! It is a big weekend this weekend, with regular fixtures on Saturday morning with Townsville teams traveling down, and then, on Sunday it is the club’s annual junior carnival, which is a great day for all. A big thanks to everyone involved to make this day possible.

Masters

A very good turnout meant a twelve a side game on a full-sized pitch. Coventry City and Wrexham played out a 3-3 draw. Monday Nights at 6.30. Be There!

National and International

The Matildas will be playing in the ASEAN Women’s Championship in Vietnam in August. Their Group games are against Myanmar, Philippines and Timo-Leste.

The Socceroos next games are not until September when they play New Zealand in two friendlies home and away, on 5th and 9th of September.

The Quote of the Week is from ex Socceroos Manager Frank Arok before a World Cup qualifying match against Scotland. “They’re not so different. They have two arms and two legs and some of them even have heads.

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Man of the match Ryan Scodellaro. Photo supplied

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The Burdekin Roosters’ A-grade side delivered a performance that could only be described as “chalk and cheese” compared to last week’s 64–10 loss to Souths. On Saturday, before a large crowd that included many attending the annual Ladies Day, the Roosters turned on the style against strong contenders Brothers, only to go down by two points in the dying seconds.

With captain Joel Mason sent off for dissent 16 minutes from full-time, the locals were forced to hang on “like grim death” against an experienced Brothers outfit boasting four former NRL players. Burdekin had started brilliantly, racing to an 18–0 lead before Brothers used their superior size and experience to close the gap to 18–12 at halftime.

On the wrong end of the penalty count, the Roosters endured relentless pressure in the second half. They led 28–18 late in the match but, with a man down, couldn’t hold out defensively. Brothers leveled with a penalty goal attempt after the siren, but the kick sailed wide, giving the visitors a 30–28 victory over the youthful Roosters side, whose average age is just over 21.

Coach Steve Lansley said the match was fiercely contested, with a few contentious refereeing decisions going against his team. “Despite the defeat, the Roosters showed tremendous grit — every player left nothing in the tank,” he said. Goal-kicking proved the difference as Brothers edged ahead through crucial conversions while Burdekin fought bravely to stay in the contest.

Terrence Mosby was outstanding, making powerful runs and big defensive plays. Jesse Yallop’s speed and creativity troubled the opposition, Hayde Munro controlled the middle with hard carries and strong tackles, and Ethan Hagarty worked tirelessly at both ends. “We had our chances to win, but a few unlucky calls and missed opportunities cost us,” Lansley added. “With this sort of determination, we’ll be a force in the coming weeks.”
Tries: Jesse Yallop, Kali Nauque, Lachlan Shepherd, Terry Connors, Luca Lago; Goals: Joel Mason (4).

Reserves
Reserves coach Peter Horan praised his side’s effort in a 38–20 loss to Brothers. Missing key players Caleb Noah (suspended), John Zaro, Keon Noah, and Riley Easton (injuries), the Roosters dug deep and at one stage trailed by just six against an experienced Brothers outfit.

Horan highlighted strong performances from 17-year-old Leylan Lampton and veteran Jerome Lacco, who returned to help the side. “Lack of experience cost us a couple of tries — we had about ten boys under 20 out there,” he said. Joey Southwell earned players’ player honours for a standout showing, while Matt Lee, Lincoln Boccoalatte, Jaiden Cassela, and Dylan Doak also impressed. Llama Ghee caused problems every time he had the ball. Horan criticised the referee for not penalising a dangerous diving tackle that took out Ghee’s legs.
Tries: Llama Ghee (2), Matt Lee, Bokeem Reid; Goals: Dylan Doak (2).

Ladies
The Burdekin River ladies had a bye this weekend.

Other results
A-grade: Souths 34 def Charters Towers 18; Herbert River 28 def Centrals 8; Western Lions and Norths had byes.
Reserve grade: Charters Towers 34 def Herbert River 12; Herbert River 40 def Centrals 10; Bowen drew 18–18 with Norths; Western Lions had a bye.
Ladies: Norths 34 def Bowen 10; Charters Towers, Western Lions, Burdekin River, Brothers, and Centrals had byes.

Looking Ahead
The Roosters travel to Ingham this weekend for a big clash with Herbert River. The River won when the teams met a fortnight ago, and Burdekin will be out for revenge. Aiden Arisa and Colby Thompson are expected to return, though Joel Mason is in doubt. The Reserves and Ladies both have byes.

In other A-grade matches, Charters Towers host Norths for Country Week in the QRL, Western Lions are at home to Souths, and Centrals face Brothers.

Contributed with thanks Brian Carnes.

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Alex and Gary played a singles match on Rink 4 that Alex won on the 26th end.

Twenty-eight players turned out for another North Queensland winter afternoon. Today's winners were Steve Doig and Bruce McCallum, who unfortunately had to leave before the photo, so visitor Gary Bibby from Augusta Bowls Club in Perth, WA, was thrilled to step into the winners’ photo. People come from far and wide to play on our hallowed green (pictured).

The singles match between Alex Bojack and Gary Nosworthy on Rink 4 was an extremely close game that went to 26 ends, with Alex finally edging Gary out.

Rink 2: Paul Vass, Judy Elton and Phil Marsden won in a narrow one over Margaret Linton, Elaine Young and Yogi Bunn, 24–11.
Rink 6: Norm Bethell, Des Chapman and Hugh Montgomery had a big win over Bob Young, Gary Bibby (visitor) and Tony Eadie, 28–11.
Rink 7: Bruce McCallum and Stephen Doig were on song, accounting for Betty Webb and Jo Roser, 26–11.
One classic example of not reading the instruction manual was Norm Bethell with his brand-new bowling arm, using it facing the wrong way.

Today's raffle was won by Mick Olsen, and a nice bottle of red went to Terry Feakes for the second-place draw.

Monday fitness, Tuesday Trimmers and the Wednesday Kraft group continue to attract locals. Wednesday night barefoot bowls with the usual sausage sizzle (names in by 5:30–6 p.m.) remains popular. Thursday morning BINGO and Thursday afternoon social bowls both draw good crowds. Saturday afternoon $5 bowls is also gaining traction.

Check the notice boards in the bar for upcoming events. Until next week, good bowling.

Photos and story by Steve Doig.

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Burdekin Clay Target Club saw 30 shooters compete on Sunday 13th July. Conditions of a cool breeze made for a very pleasant day for shooting. Thank you to our sponsors for the day, Lui Populin, Glen Rea & BK Constructions. Our next shoot will be on Sunday 10th August.

Event 1-20 Target Double Barrel 15m
AA Grade 1st Phillip Scalia, Ron Gough, Aaron Lemphers, Lindsay Groat, Michael Zabala 20/20
A Grade 1st Michael Jones, David Stitt, Cornelius Venter 20/20
B Grade 1st Pedro Le Blowitz 19/20, 2nd Rob Mikkelsen & Dave Dundon 18/20
C Grade 1st Peter Scott & Alf Gangemi 19/20

Event 2- 25 Target Single Barrel 15m-Patron's Trophy-Sponsored by Lui Populin
AA Grade 1st Tony Caruso 27/27, 2nd Rob Hunter 26/27
A Grade 1st David Stitt 24/25, 2nd Joe Scalia 23/25
B Grade 1st Pedro Le Blowitz 20/25, 2nd Dave Dundon 20/26
C Grade 1st Alf Gangemi 21/25, 2nd Brian Bonanno 21/26

Event 3-25 Target Double Barrel Handicap-President's Trophy-Glen Rea
OPEN 1st Tony Caruso 34/34
2nd Peter Scott 33/34
3rd John Cerqui 34/35

Event 4-15 Pair Double Rise 15m
AA Grade 1st Ron Gough 29/30, 2nd Rob Hunter & Lindsay Groat 27/30
A Grade 1st Wayne Cislowski 28/30, John Cerqui 26/30, 3rd Phillip Scalia 24/30
B Grade 1st Cornelius Venter 26/30, 2nd David Stitt & Joe Scalia 23/30
C Grade 1st Peter Scott 25/30, 2nd Blake Heffernan 23/30

Event 5-20 Pair Burdekin Deauville Doubles Championship-Sponsored by BK Constructions
OPEN 1st Glen Rea & Aaron Lemphers 24/29
3rd Peter Scott & Michael Jones 23/29

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Event 2-25 Target Single Barrel 15m Patron's Trophy, Sponsored by Lui Populin
Back Row, Tony Caruso, Alf Gangemi, Pedro Le Blowitz, David Stitt
Front Row, Brian Bonanno, Lui Populin, Rob Hunter, Dave Dundon

Event 3-25 Target Double Barrel Handicap-President's Trophy, Sponsored by Glen Rea
Back Row, Glen Rea
Front Tony Caruso, Peter Scott, John Cerqui

Event 5-20 Pair Burdekin Deauville Doubles Championship-Sponsored by BK Construction
Glen Rea, Michael Jones, Peter Scott, Aaron Lemphers

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The Burdekin Mixed Touch Football competition is back for another exciting season, with pre-season games now underway at the Wickham Street fields.

Eleven teams have nominated so far, including East Ayr, First in Physio, Jigsaw, Nrgize, Petrol Heads, Pink Piggies, Redskins, Renegades, Royal Touch, Slush Puppies, and Touch n Tease. Pre-season games will continue over the next two Wednesdays before the official season kicks off on the 13th of August, which also marks the final day for team nominations.

The upcoming season will feature 14 rounds, culminating in a Grand Final on December 5. Defending A Grade champions Can’t Touch This will be aiming to retain their crown after narrowly defeating Nrgize in last year’s thrilling final.

Teams can register online via www.burdekintouch.com.au by clicking “Register” and following the prompts.

Individuals looking to join a team are encouraged to come down to the fields on Wednesday evenings and enquire at the canteen.

The Mixed Under 14s competition also returns next Wednesday with a second sign-on session for both teams and individual players at 5pm. Interested players can see Bob Clerke or Bruce Johnson at the canteen for more information.

Nominations are also open for the annual Mixed Touch Carnival on Saturday, August 23. Divisions include Under 16, Open, and Over 39s. To nominate a team, contact Peter on 0437 710 500.

Contributed with thanks to Amity Cornford.

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Burdekin Mixed Touch Football pre-season games began last Wednesday and will continue for another two weeks! (Photo Supplied)

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The Ayr Bowling Club is celebrating a great week, with members taking full advantage of the cooler winter weather to enjoy both competitive and social matches. Enthusiasm has been high across the board, with players showing strong support for one another and a shared love of the game.

The club's vibrant community spirit has been on full display, as bowlers turned out in numbers to make the most of ideal playing conditions. With momentum building and friendships thriving, members actively engaged in the many opportunities over the past week, including social and championship games, PBL on Friday night, and the NQ Champion of Champions.

The Ladies’ Social Tuesday afternoon was a great day, with two games of rinks played. Meryl Smith, Katharina Stuckler, Betty Schultz and Pam Power defeated Sandra Stidston, Lorraine Wolffe, Heather Jorgensen and Mary Poli. Isabel Cislowski, Merle Nixon, Terry Thompson and Irene Wilson got up over Karen Shepherd, Beryl Cornford, Anthony Bull and Dot Cutting.

Wednesday’s Men’s Bowls had a fantastic turnout, with all rinks in use. Winners on the day were John Hall, Joe Papale and Col Essex, with Arthur Gauvin, George Nixon and Chris Berkery the runners-up.

This week’s Wednesday Night Bowls was put on hold as the State of Origin took precedence in everyone’s lives.

A highlight of the week was Bowls Premier League, held at Ayr Bowling Club for the region. Four teams entered, playing two games of five ends against each other in a round robin format. The successful team was Ron Smythe, Pam Power and Maurie Power, who will now represent the Burdekin region at the next level in Townsville.

Saturday’s social bowls was another great afternoon. The successful team on the day was Merle Nixon, Jeannie and Col Essex, with second place going to Shane Standford, John McDonald and Ron Soper.

The Men’s Championships A Final was held on Sunday, with Ron Soper defeating Lew Stidston. Congratulations to Ron on a great win.

This week the women kicked off the Crooked Kitty, Consistency Singles, and Club-Selected Three Bowl Pairs. The first game played was a three bowl pairs match, with Katharina Stuckler defeating Karen Shepherd. The draw for all games is available on the Women’s Notice Board.

Friday Roll-Up is on this week, held every Friday afternoon from 3:00 to 5:30pm. Whether looking to hone skills, enjoy some friendly training tips, or simply unwind with a drink, these casual roll-ups are the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Members are encouraged to come down, enjoy a few drinks, and join in the fun.

For more information, visit Ayr Bowling Club or find them on Facebook.

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It was compared to going from Old Gold chocolates to boiled lollies — the Burdekin Roosters went from a convincing win last week to a 64–10 thrashing at the hands of unbeaten Souths in Ayr on Sunday.

The Roosters were outclassed from the opening whistle, struggling to match Souths’ intensity and committing far too many errors to build any pressure. Poor execution and a lack of urgency cost them dearly, with Souths dominating field position and capitalising on every mistake.

Coach Steve Lansley said his side “never looked up for the challenge,” with a poor kicking game, defensive lapses, and little resistance in the middle compounding their problems.

Despite the result, a few players stood out. Tate Brombal worked hard in both attack and defence, while Colby Thompson toiled tirelessly in the middle, making strong carries and trying to inspire a turnaround. Their efforts, however, weren’t enough to stop the blowout.

With a tough clash against Brothers coming up this Saturday, Lansley says composure, urgency, and discipline will be key areas to address. Ball-handling and defensive errors also remain a major concern.

Meanwhile, Souths continue their unbeaten run and are shaping up as serious premiership contenders, while the Roosters are left searching for answers.

Tries: Lachlan Shepherd, Cohen Dittman
Goal: Joel Mason

RESERVES BATTLE TO BRAVE DRAW AGAINST SOUTHS

In an exciting reserve grade match, the Roosters and Souths fought out a 22-all draw in Ayr.

Despite a lopsided penalty count that saw the locals on the back foot — at one point trailing by 12 points — the young Roosters side, led by veterans Dylan Doak, John Zaro, and Caleb Noah, refused to back down.

They were forced to dig even deeper in the final 12 minutes when Caleb Noah was sent off for a high shot, followed shortly after by big forward Llama Ghee, who was sin-binned with under 10 minutes remaining.

Coach Peter Horan praised the team’s composure under pressure. “They were upset with some of the calls and the tactics by the opposition, but to a big extent kept their cool,” he said.

Horan said Caleb Noah was outstanding as a leader, supported strongly by Doak and Zaro. Younger players like Joey Southwell, Jack Rushton, and Kane Batchelor all took heavy hits but stood up to the challenge.

Keon Noah was voted Players’ Player for his solid effort.

Tries: Dylan Doak, Bokeem Reid, Joey Southwell, Caleb Noah
Goals: Dylan Doak (3)

BURDEKIN RIVER LADIES CONTINUE WINNING RUN

The Burdekin River women’s team recorded another strong win on Saturday, defeating Charters Towers 20–4 in Ingham.

Despite some wayward goal-kicking, the team scored four tries and converted two. Injured hooker Abby King praised the powerful trio of Martina Monday, Toni Daisy, and joint captain Paige Horvat, saying they caused plenty of problems for the Lady Miners’ defence.

Martina Monday was again named Players’ Player for her standout performance.

“It’s great to see the players from two different towns combining so well,” Abby added.

Tries: Joleen O’Neill (2), Toni Daisy, Paige Horvat
Goals: Rebeccah Pace, Martina Monday

WEEKEND RESULTS - TDRL ROUND-UP

A Grade:
Herbert River def Charters Towers 16–14
Souths def Burdekin 64–10
Brothers def Centrals 28–16
Western Lions def Norths 28–16

Reserve Grade:
Herbert River def Charters Towers 36–10
Burdekin drew with Souths 22–22
Western Lions def Norths 54–22
Brothers def Bowen 52–18
Centrals – Bye

Women’s Grade:
Burdekin River def Charters Towers 20–4
Brothers def Bowen 44–0
This Weekend – Round Preview

This Saturday in Ayr, the Roosters will host Brothers in both A Grade and Reserves.

Elsewhere:
Herbert River will host Centrals
Souths travel to Charters Towers
Western Lions and Norths have byes in A Grade
In Reserve Grade, Bowen will be visited by Norths

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The annual Burdekin Roosters Ladies Day will be held this Saturday at Bendigo Bank Park (Rugby Park), running from 4pm until late.

Around 200 ladies are expected to enjoy an evening of fun, entertainment, and celebration, beginning with the stunning vocals of Megan Law, who will serenade guests as the afternoon gets underway.

Guests will be treated to four hours of complimentary drinks (from 4pm to 8pm) while taking in the all-important A Grade Rugby League match between the Roosters and Townsville Brothers.

The Roosters will take the field in special edition jerseys donated by event sponsors NQGS and GETM Contracting. Once the match concludes, the game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off to the ladies attending the function.

Throughout the evening, platters and nibblies will be served, and attendees will have the chance to win a range of prizes donated by generous Burdekin businesses.

The organising committee says they’ve been overwhelmed by the support and generosity from local sponsors. The Roosters extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who’s helped make this year’s Ladies Day possible.

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The Roosters will take the field in special edition jerseys donated by event sponsors NQGS and GETM Contracting. Photo supplied

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