The Burdekin Roosters are preparing for a challenging weekend as they travel to Townsville to face the Townsville Centrals across three grades at the Sports Reserve this Saturday afternoon.
The matches kick off on August 3 with the Hens playing at 1:10 PM, followed by the Reserves at 2:20 PM, and the A grade team at 3:50 PM.
A grade coach Steve Lansley is awaiting final player allocations from the Cowboys and Blackhawks, expecting Chris Gale and Roto Ravisore from the Hawks, and Henry Teuteu and Epi Kikau from the Cowboys. Jeremiah Matuatu, called up to the Cutters last week, performed well despite their loss to Norths Devils in Bowen.
Reflecting on last Sunday’s loss to Norths, Lansley noted that poor execution and defensive lapses were costly. The team struggled with offloading the ball in difficult positions. However, with Colby Johnson and possibly Ethan Hagarty returning from injury, the team hopes to improve, though Jones Munro and Rhett Williams are likely out for the season.
The Roosters’ A grade team is currently sixth on the ladder, with three wins and a draw, while Centrals sit in eighth place with one win and a draw. Last week, Centrals lost 42-18 to Herbert River in Ingham.
The Roosters' Reserves are faring better, sitting second on the ladder with eight wins and a draw. Last week, they capitalized on the Tigers' 42-8 loss to Herbert River with a 40-20 win over Norths. Coach Chris Perry hopes for a fitter team this week, though they will miss standout player Tubby Heron. Jerome Lacco, Alex Lennox, and Dalton McIninerny are expected to return. A win this weekend would strengthen their position for a second-place finish.
The Hens face a formidable opponent in the Centrals, who are unbeaten this season, scoring 404 points and conceding only 42. The Hens missed last week’s game due to a forfeit from Norths and had their previous match cut short due to an injury to a Towers player. Despite lacking the size of the Lady Tigers, the Hens are determined to challenge the Centrals.
In other matches this weekend, Brothers face Norths, Souths meet Charters Towers, and Herbert River hosts Western Lions.

Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes.

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The July Monthly Medal event, proudly sponsored by Eathornes Intersport, provided an excellent opportunity for the Ayr Golf Club’s ladies to compete, especially those who work during the week. This year’s competition featured strong performances across all grades.

In A Grade, Loretta Mauro emerged victorious with an impressive 68 net score. B Grade saw Cecily Lena take the top spot with a 73 net score. Gabby Cahill in C Grade scored an outstanding 41 stableford points, a sensational performance shared by Shirley Jones and Marion Chappell.

Each of these talented ladies received vouchers from Eathornes Intersport, and the Ayr Golf Club extends a warm congratulations to all the winners!

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On Wednesday, 24 July, the Ayr Golf Club hosted its Commercial Tavern Day, featuring an Ambrose style partner event. Despite facing challenging cyclonic winds, 24 dedicated ladies participated in the competition, vying for Tavern Vouchers.

The winning pair, Loretta Mauro and Janet Trezise, delivered an impressive performance, scoring 66.25 and achieving an Eagle on Hole 8. Cecily Lena and Sandra Wight secured second place with a strong score of 68.25, while Tuk Williams and Wendy Baker came in third with 69.75.

The event was a great success, and the Ayr Golf Club thanks the Commercial Tavern for their unwavering support.

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This Saturday 3 August, the Burdekin Football Club Senior Teams will host the Saints Eagles Souths Football Club for their annual Sponsors Day event at International Park. The day promises to be filled with exciting football action, with games kicking off from 3PM.

One of the highlights of the day will be the Senior Men's DASH 4 CASH, a thrilling rematch between Jay Leckenby and Matthew Kolb. Spectators are encouraged to place their bets on who they think will win this competitive race.

The bar and canteen will be open from 2PM until late, offering refreshments and snacks to all attendees.

Come out, enjoy some great football, and support the Panthers this Super Saturday!

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On the evening of Friday 26 July, twelve bowlers gathered for a lively night of social bowls, filled with laughter and camaraderie at the Brandon Bowls Club.

In the first game, the team of David Bycroft, Peter Lejarraga, and Joe Yipnazar defeated Ben Mills, Lloyd Shepherd, and Jamie Woods. The second game saw Margaret McLaughlan, Jayson Farry, and "Mr. Bowls" Gary Pearce triumph over Raymond Tortorica, Ross McLaughlan, and Ray Paneccasio.

The jackpot didn’t go off this week, and the club invites the community to join the action next Friday night for another fun-filled session!

Sunday 28 July hosted the final of the A Grade Singles which saw a thrilling showdown between father and son, Gary and Chris Pearce. The match was a classic display of skill and determination, going down to the wire. In the end, Gary emerged victorious, securing bragging rights for another year. Despite the loss, Chris played admirably and can be proud of his performance. A big thank you to our President, Jamie Woods, for his excellent job marking the final.

An 18-end game took place between the teams of Gary Nosworthy, Doug Kiehne, and Rob Garner, and Peter Lejarraga, Kevin Collins, and Doug Robins on Sunday 28 July. In a closely contested match, Doug Robins' team emerged victorious, advancing to the next round.

Sunday also saw twenty bowlers participate in a range of pairs and triples games with the pairs results as follows:
   • Ben Mills and Lloyd Shepherd defeated Mick McCloskey and Len Feeney.
   • Trevor Elton and Leo Kenny won against Colin Mills and Richie Mau.

The Tripples results are as follows:
   • Judy Elton, Glenn Woodford, and Ray Paneccasio defeated Robbie Webb, Ken Ferguson, and Allan Garioch.
   • Brenton Trecize, Vince Bietia, and Peter Henderson secured a win over Norm Storrie, Neville Dickinson, and Joe Yipnazar.

The Brandon Bowls Club looks forward to seeing everyone at the next session for more great bowls action!

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Contributed with thanks to Lloyd Shepherd.

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Runner Up Chris Pearce, President Jamie Woods, and A Grade Singles Champion Gary Pearce after last Sunday’s thrilling showdown at the Brandon Bowls Club.

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The Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads had another memorable weekend at the Hughenden 7s tournament. Despite some sore heads, a few injuries, the event was filled with plenty of camaraderie on tour, and exciting rugby action.

The girls' team faced a tough challenge and unfortunately suffered a loss in the bowl match. Meanwhile, the lads battled hard against the Minions, who were eager for redemption after losing to the Canetoads last year. Although there were no Canetoad champions this time around, the players and supporters alike had a fantastic time, celebrating the spirit of country rugby.

The true highlight of the weekend was the sense of community and the new friendships formed over some cold drinks. The Canetoads enjoyed the warm hospitality shown by the Hughenden community and appreciate the effort put into organising such a great event. The team eagerly looks forward to returning next year.

A special thank you was expressed the Canetoads' sponsors for their continued support, providing fantastic kits and backing the team's efforts on tour each year.

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Both male and female Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads teams travelled to Hughenden last weekend for a memorable tournament.

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The Ayr Golf Course hosted an incredible weekend the first-ever combined Men's and Women's Handicap Pennants! A total of 114 players gathered for this historic event, marking a significant milestone for the club.

The Ayr Golf 2024 Committee embraced the challenge of organising this event, and it truly stood as a test of logistics and coordination. With 50 members generously lending their personal buggies, the team faced the task of collecting keys and preparing the equipment for the traveling teams by 5:30am - a challenging yet rewarding experience.

The Ayr Golf Club shared this event would not have been possible without the meticulous planning and dedication of their volunteer members, who ensured everything was ready for the 7am tee-off on both Saturday and Sunday. A special thanks was also expressed to the club’s kitchen helpers for preparing over 120 sandwiches each day, keeping everyone energised throughout the games.

The green saw five divisions in play over the weekend, three for the ladies and two for the men, with each division crowning a winner. A highlight was the ladies Ayr 3 team winning Division 5, and the ladies Ayr 2 team finishing as runners-up, just one win shy of taking the title. The Ayr Men's team also celebrated victory in their division after being a late addition to the event. Additionally, the Ayr 1 ladies team claimed the flag at the Home Hill Golf Club, which hosted two divisions. It was a weekend of success all around!

The Ayr Golf Club extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed their time and effort, from the bar staff to Pat Herd for selling raffle tickets, and especially to the committee and members who ensured everything ran smoothly.

“To all that gave up their time – congratulations to a job well done,” shared the Ayr Golf Club.

“To all the travelling teams – we hope you enjoyed your weekend in the Burdekin, many new friendships were made, and we look forward to seeing you again at upcoming opens around North Queensland.

To the NQ Golf Committee lead by our very own Callan Oar (President of NQ Golf) thank you for giving Ayr Golf Club the opportunity to trial this combined event along with all the organisation of the competition and points scoring.”

Showcasing their dedication and exceptional skills, many golfers backed up their efforts over the action-packed weekend to play in the Drummond Vets Classic on both Monday and Tuesday earlier this week. It’s clear the Ayr Golf Club is the place to be!

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Rhonda Martin, Tin Watts, Katrina Hearn, Debbie Searle, Bev Power, and Pat Lawson from the Ayr Golf Club at the NQ Handicap Pennants.
Ayr Golf Club ladies Wendy Baker, Janet Trezise holding Tilly, Loretta Mauro (front), Kim Manby, Cecily Lena, and Michelle Stockdale (Absent from Photo Vicki Adcock) ready to hit the green.
Ayr Golf Club ladies Ann Phelan, Sandra Wight, Tuk Williams (front), Donna Reid, Donna Boccolatte, Kerry Mann, and Ang Baxter (back) celebrating at the historic NQ Handicap Pennants.
Wendy Baker, Tuk Williams, Tilly (dog), and Kerry Mann zipping around the green.
The Home Hill Ladies Team celebrated winning the first round!
Stuck between a bush and a hard place, Home Hill Golf Club ladies had a giggle questioning “will I play it?”.
Paula was celebrated for hitting an amazing hole in one on 18!
Home Hill Golf Club’s Kieren Dawes, Kevan Chatfield, Luke Carrett, Doug McCubben, Jaylen McCubben, and Ross Wilkie celebrated taking out second place in Pool B.
What a weekend! Over 100 players gathered at the Ayr Golf Club for a 7am tee-off on both Saturday and Sunday.
Ladies from the Ayr Golf Club ready to make history at last weekend’s NQ Handicap Pennants.

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The Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads had an eventful weekend, showcasing the spirit and determination of both their youth and senior teams.

On the evening of Friday 26 July, the Under-11 boys played against Brothers at Mike Carney Toyota Park. Despite facing a tough challenge, the young players demonstrated commendable effort and growth, learning valuable lessons from the match. Their dedication and progress were evident, and they can be proud of their performance, regardless of the outcome.

Saturday afternoon saw the Canetoads' 3rd grade team take to the field for their first match of the season. The players eagerly reunited with the sport they love, shaking off the dust from their boots. The game was intense, but the Canetoads emerged victorious with a final score of 31-14. This win marks a fantastic start to their season and sets a positive tone for the upcoming matches.

Overall, it was a weekend filled with enthusiasm and promising performances from the Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads. The club looks forward to building on these experiences in the games ahead.

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A toadally awesome weekend - Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads shone in both youth and senior matches last weekend.

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A perfect winter afternoon set the stage for a competitive day at the Home Hill Bowls Club on Thursday 25 July, with 30 players participating. The games were drawn at random, resulting in four games of triples and one game of pairs.

Rink 3: The team of Kim, Bruce, and Cy narrowly defeated Judy, Dino, and Jim with a score of 18-15.
Rink 4: Bob Y, Mick O, and Trevor dominated Karl/Hugh, Des, and Stephen, winning 30-5.
Rink 5: Yogi, Bob P, and Wayne outplayed Paul, Steve, and Terry, securing a 23-11 victory.
Rink 6: Jimmy M/Henry and Mick Mc edged out Mark and Ron in a tight match, finishing 15-12.
Rink 7: Mick M, Jeff, and Gary had a strong win over Christina, John, and Joe, ending the game 25-13.

The raffle saw Bruce Ross winning the meat tray, generously donated by Dino, while Lyn Elton took home a bottle of wine as the second prize. The lucky ball draw went to Jimmy Murray, but there was no winner this week, rolling the jackpot over to $114 for next week. The club expresses special thanks to EB Hives for sponsoring the event.

A smaller group of 12 players enjoyed the Saturday afternoon session on 27 July. Two games of triples were played over 10 ends, with the winners rotating after the break. Yogi, Joclyn, and Cy emerged as the day's champions, winning both of their matches. A standout moment came from Margaret Linton, who impressively placed three blue bowls close to the kitty, showcasing her skill.

For those interested in joining the club's activities, there are various events throughout the week, including the Monday morning fitness group, Tuesday Trimmers, Wednesday morning KRAFT group, Wednesday evening barefoot bowls, Thursday morning BINGO, and Thursday afternoon social bowls. Saturday afternoon social bowls are also gaining popularity and are a great way to spend the weekend.

Until next week, good bowling!

Contributed with thanks to Stephen Doig.

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Another wonderful week of wins was had at the Home Hill Bowls Club!
Margaret Linton’s impressive display of skill saw her place three blue bowls close to the kitty last Saturday afternoon.

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Coming soon! On Saturday’s
Mixed open pairs
Sponsored
Starting dates to be advised

Wednesday night bowls

Come on down and join the barefoot bowls night!

Every Wednesday night

Home Hill Bowls Club is very friendly and sociable club with full bar facilities, bowls and bowling aids, if necessary.
Supplied by clubs and assistance is available

All names to be in by 5:30 - 6:00 pm!
$5.00 entry fee which will a BBQ cooked by, The One, The Only …. Ronnie Smith. Our expert BBQ member.

See you all there for a great night!

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Hugh Montgomery

1. Where were you born?
Killkenny, Northern Ireland

2. Main occupation?
Manager Local car sales

3. Favourite Olympic sport?
Men & woman’s 100 metres

4. Make bed or get up and go?
Get up and go!

5. Who introduced you to your first game of bowls?
Dino Poli (still very hard to beat today)

6. Favourite person to meet?
Malcom Fraser (the then P.M)

7. Pet peeves?
Getting up on a cold morning

8. If you won the Lotto?
Great times with mates and alcohol

9. Favourite car?
Nissan X-Trail

10. Stranded on a deserted island, who or what would you want?
To be chased by a red head.

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Roosters coach Steve Lansley was visibly frustrated after watching his team narrowly lose to Charters Towers 32-26 at Rugby Park on Saturday night.

"I am starting to sound like a broken record but that is definitely a game we let go way," said Coach Lansley.

The first half was a closely contested battle, with both teams scoring three tries each, going into halftime, tied at 18-all. The Roosters then pulled ahead to 24-18 with a converted try by Jye Olsen, followed by a penalty from Olsen, bringing the score to 26-18. However, Charters Towers responded with a try, narrowing the gap to 26-24.

A couple of controversial referee decisions put the Miners in a strong attacking position, and they soon scored in the corner, with the conversion giving them a 30-26 lead. A late penalty sealed the win for the Miners at 32-26.

Lansley praised Dudley Dotoi, who scored two tries, but noted that his team deviated from their game plan in the second half by trying too hard to get the ball wide. This led to turnovers, with the Miners capitalizing on the Roosters' mistakes.

"We have a very young side, and they are learning each week - we only have to keep our calm and the wins will come as our defence is good for the most part," Lansley added.

Lansley also commended Jye Olsen for his outstanding performance, both in scoring and overall play, naming him the players' player. He praised forwards Henry Teuteu and Paul Merlo for their significant contributions, with Merlo being particularly dangerous from dummy half.

In addition to Dotoi's two tries, Paul Merlo and Jye Olsen also crossed the line, with Olsen kicking five goals.

In other A-grade matches; Brothers defeated Centrals 22-16, Souths beat Western Lions 40-18 and Herbert River overcame Norths 34-10.

Reserves coach Chris Perry praised his under-18 players who played a pivotal role in their team's 26-16 win over Charters Towers.

While he highlighted the efforts of the younger players, Perry also commended Jerome Lacco and Alex Lennox for their strong performances. He noted John Zaro's standout game, describing it as a turning point in the match.

Despite missing some players, Perry acknowledged the team's gutsy effort, with young Llama Ghee named players' player for his determined try. Lacco and Zaro also featured prominently in the players' awards.

Burdekin's tries came from Jerome Lacco (2), Braithen Heeron, and Llama Ghee, with Dylan Doak adding two goals.

In other reserve grade games; Bowen defeated Brothers 32-8, Souths beat Western Lions 34-30, and Herbert River overcame Norths 26-20.

The Ladies' game between Burdekin Hens and Charters Towers was called off after 13 minutes due to a serious injury to a Charters Towers player, requiring hospital treatment. At the time, the Hens were leading 28-0.

The game was played as a ten-a-side affair due to both teams having the bare minimum number of players. In the brief time the game was played, the Hens scored five tries and kicked four goals, with Toni Daisy, Stephanie, and Martina Monday proving too fast for the Miners. Stephanie also excelled with her kicking, converting four out of five attempts.

In other ladies matches; Centrals defeated Brothers 34-4, and Herbert River beat Norths 30-6.

Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes.

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Celebrated for another week, Jye Olsen was named Players Player following his performance last Saturday night.
Following an unforgettable loss to Charters Towers last week, the Roosters plan to bounce back to yield better results this Saturday.

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The Ayr Surf Club is hosting a Mini Come and Try Day and Sign-On on Sunday 28 July 2024 to kick off the 2024-25 Season.

The day will begin at 10:30am at the Ayr Surf Club at Alva Beach, followed by a sausage sizzle afterwards and the community is invited to come along for what will be a spectacularly sunny morning of activities. Children aged from Green Caps (must be 5 by 30 September 2024) through to Under 14s will be able to experience and trial everything that’s involved with nippers.

The Ayr SLSC provides a wonderful experience for children and adults to learn valuable water safety and lifesaving skills, improve fitness and have a lot of fun with friends and family.

Nippers runs on Sunday mornings for the duration of the season and the patrolling season will kick off at the start of the September holidays and continue through until May to coincide with the Stinger season. Children apart of nippers can continue growing their skills and advance to gain their Surf Rescue Certificate, start patrolling, and then have the opportunity to transition to their Bronze Medallion.

The Ayr SLSC host a great family friendly environment with a heavy presence in the wider community by volunteering and assisting at numerous events, and the club are always looking to welcome new members to their community.

If you have any questions or are interested in joining the Ayr Surf Club, please head on down to the Come and Try Day, join the Ayr Surf Club's Facebook page or contact club administration on ayrslsc@gmail.com or the Club's Junior Activities Coordinator, Kellie Lawry.

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Sunday 21 July was a perfect day for an exhilarating game of rugby at Casalegno Fields.

The weather was ideal with clear skies, calm winds, and cool temperatures, setting the stage for an exciting match between the Canetoads and the top-seeded Brothers. Despite playing most of the game with one man down, the Canetoads delivered some of the best footy we’ve seen all year. The small crowd erupted in cheers when the final whistle blew, as the Canetoads snatched victory from the Brothers' grasp.

The story was different for the other grades, as the opposing team in third grade forfeited, and the women's teams also had to forfeit. However, not all was lost. Thanks to the Brothers' ladies who sportingly donned Canetoads jerseys, and our girls swapping out their pink for blue. Both teams enjoyed a spirited game of Rugby 7s.

The U11s were unlucky in their Friday night match but continue to build and improve each week.

The reserve team fell short of expectations once again and seemed slightly off right from the start. Despite their best efforts, the players struggled to find their rhythm, and the opposing team capitalised on every mistake.

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The Canetoads put it on the field last Sunday, taking out a win against Brothers.

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Last weekend was challenging for the Burdekin Panthers, who played four away games against the Warriors, resulting in one win, one draw, and two losses. The Division One Funkies drew 2-2 on Friday night. On Saturday, the Premiers won 2-1, the Under 23s lost 1-3, and the Ladies were defeated 0-5.
This week, the Panthers have four more matches. On Friday night, the Division One Funkies will host MA Olympic, and on Sunday, the Premiers, Under 23s, and Ladies will play away against Estates.
Ayr Anzac Club Premiers' Hard-Fought Victory
The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers aimed to bounce back after a previous loss. They conceded early to the Warriors but stuck to their game plan. In the 68th minute, Elliot Dal Santo set up Luke Maguire for the equalizer. With two minutes left, Dal Santo and Maguire combined again for the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory despite enduring five minutes of added time.
Burdekin Tyre Service Under 23s' Disappointing Loss
The Under 23s, affected by injuries, started strong with an early goal but quickly conceded. Sloppy mistakes and poor ball control allowed the Warriors to score two more goals, resulting in a 1-3 loss.
Austral Masonry Funkies' Late Equalizer
The Funkies faced the Warriors at Melrose Park with minimal support. Despite conceding two early goals, James Dwyer's stunning 35-meter strike lifted their spirits. The second half saw both teams create chances, with Dave Bryen saving a penalty. Chris Achille scored two minutes before the final whistle, earning a 2-2 draw.
Ayr Anzac Club Ladies' Tough Match
The Ladies played a fiery match against the Warriors, conceding early and struggling to score despite creating multiple opportunities. The Warriors led 3-0 at halftime and added two more goals in the second half. The Panthers tightened their defence, with goalkeeper Mia Galbraith making crucial saves, but ultimately lost 0-5.
Under 13s' Narrow Defeat
The Under 13s faced MAO White at Paradise Park, losing 4-3. Annan Power scored early, and Will Shears added two goals, but MAO's two second-half goals sealed the game. Shears, Rohan Kelly, and Sam Heatley had solid performances.
Juniors
Junior matches resumed for Term 3, with teams from Estates and MAO traveling from Townsville to compete against the Under 8s and up. The younger grades showed significant improvement, reflecting the benefits of carnival play.

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Thursday 17 July hosted a wonderful day on the green at the Home Hill Bowls Club with the winners of the day, Bob, Mick, and Dino, celebrating their victories.

The club extended their gratitude to EB Hives for sponsoring the day, and congratulated Jeff Taylor for winning the meat tray raffle, and Ron Wedd who took home a nice bottle of red after winning the second draw.

34 keen bowlers turned up ready to battle on Rummeny Green for another great winter’s afternoon, with the results as follows.

Rink 2: Tony, Bev, and Wayne edged out Paul, Mick, and Ross in a tight match, 18-16.
Rink 3: Margaret, Stephen, and Keith prevailed over Con, Terry, and Gary, 16-12.
Rink 4: Bob P, Dino, and Mick Mc drew with Bob Y, Gordon, and Hugh, 14-all.
Rink 5: Jo, John, and Trevor proved too strong for Cy, Ray, and Judy, winning 21-16.
Rink 6: Jimmy, Mick, and John won against Ron, John, and Jeff, 15-11.
Rink 7: Ray and Joe came away grinning after defeating Yogi and Bones, 22-17.

The Home Hill Bowls Club invites the community to come along to join the action at their Monday Fitness Group, Tuesday Trimmers Club, Wednesday Morning Kraft Group, Wednesday Evening Barefoot Bowls, Thursday Morning Bingo, and Thursday Afternoon Social Bowls. Excitingly, Saturday afternoon bowls have started up, and those interested are encouraged to put their names down.

Until next week, good bowling!

Contributed with thanks to Stephen Doig.

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