A couple of weeks ago, the Burdekin Touch Association (BTA) took time out to recognise a special group of people on and off the field - its players and officials who are past or present members of local emergency services.

“The contribution made to the Burdekin community by SES, Lifesavers, Police, Fire & Rescue, Paramedics and Marine Rescue members often goes unnoticed,” said BTA President, Michael Littlefield.

“We wanted to thank our Touch Football members who make our community a safer place to live.”

Among the most recognisable is Blue Murder, a team made up predominantly of local police officers. But their service spirit is spread far and wide—nearly every team in the competition features at least one player who currently serves, or has served, in an emergency role.

To say thanks, the Association treated emergency service representatives to a free sausage sizzle and a well-earned drink, as a small gesture of appreciation for the big role they play in the Burdekin every day.

Contributed with thanks to Amity Cornford.

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The BTA thanked the region's first responders with a sausage sizzle (Photo Credit: Amity Cornford)

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Home Hill Pickleball numbers continue to rise. Over the weekend, club members headed up to Townsville to participate in a Queensland Pickleball Tournament. While the opposition were consistent and quick at the net, all the players did some learning and had a great time. Debbie Tait came home with a silver medal in the mixed doubles and Hannah Casswell a silver in the open ladies’ doubles. The club is looking forward to hosting the Cane Country Cup, a mixed doubles team event on Sunday 8th June.

For those new to the sport of pickleball, it is a fun, fast moving, social and easy to play game. It is played with a light paddle and a whiffle ball on a small court. The point is started with an underarm serve. The club has paddles to borrow, and the first trail week is free. Pickleball is regularly played on Tuesday nights from 6.45 pm and Saturday mornings from 7.30 am. It is sometimes played on Thursday afternoons and Sunday afternoons as well. New players are welcome.

On Tuesdays the club will be starting a “Pickle Kids” program for kids aged 10 – 15 years. The club was recently successful in gaining a grant for through the Australian Sports Foundation and Hart Sport for extra equipment to support these sessions. The kids will learn skills through games and playing matches. It is an awesome, affordable option at just $35 for five weeks. Sessions will be from 6 – 6:45 under lights. Be sure to register your child by emailing homehilltennis@gmail.com.au as spaces are limited! We are also thankful to the Queensland Government for supporting this program to enable Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation activities.

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On Tuesday's, the club will be starting a “Pickle Kids” program for kids aged 10 – 15 years. Photo supplied

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It’s been a big week at the Ayr Bowling Club, with two major highlights bringing excitement and energy to our local greens.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Community Gaming Benefit Fund, brand-new lighting was installed on the club’s green on Tuesday. The upgrade was made possible with the support of Ergon Energy and expertly carried out by the team at Coral Coast Electrical. These lights are set to enhance the club’s popular Wednesday Night Social Bowls and Friday Fun Nights, providing a brighter and more enjoyable environment for evening play.

Adding to the buzz, the club was proud to host the Country Pennants on Sunday, welcoming teams from Bowen, Wangaratta with the support of Home Hill) and Brandon for a fiercely contested day of bowls. Spectators were treated to a high standard of competition, with Ayr finishing in a strong second place. A standout performance came from Col Essex and his team, who won all three of their games on the day.

Congratulations to Brandon Bowls Club for taking home the trophy, and a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated volunteers who worked behind the scenes to ensure the event ran smoothly. Events like these simply wouldn’t be possible without their tireless support.

In Wednesday Men’s Social Bowls, the green was alive with friendly competition as two games of triples and a game of pairs were played. Taking out the honours on the day were Jeff, Joe Papale, Norm Bethel, and Mick McCloskey, who bowled consistently to secure the win. It was a great afternoon of camaraderie and quality bowls enjoyed by all.

Wednesday night social bowls had a good turnout of players as our new lights were turned on for the first games played under the new lights. There were some good bowls played in the rinks and the triples game. The winners of the rinks game were Ali Vasefi, Evelyn Wiltshere, David Burt and Sam Caltabiano. Lyn Cecil, Rob Jorgensen and Joe Grabbi won the triples game.

Saturday had another great afternoon at Ayr Bowling Club as some of our southern guests arrived for a game. There were two games of pairs and a triples played winners were Donna Soper and Anthony Bull def Lorraine Wolffe and Beryl Cornford.

In Championship action this week, the Men’s Championship Rinks final delivered a closely contested match featuring some outstanding bowls. The team of John Pirrone, Mario Milan, Wayne Coonan, and Barry Shepherd claimed victory with a 21–15 win over Cisco, Sam Caltabiano, Joe Grabbi, and Lew Stidston in a well-fought and entertaining game. Please see the board for the Mixed Pairs and the Ladies Pairs games coming up soon.

If you are interested in giving Bowls a try, Friday Roll Ups are a good place to start. They are held every Friday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:30pm. Whether you're looking to hone your 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. Come down for some training, enjoy a few drinks, and join in the fun with fellow club members.

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The Ayr Men's Pennants Team. Photo Supplied

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Trophy Night – Sponsored by Cignal

The club was buzzing with energy and camaraderie at Trophy Night, sponsored by Cignal. Bowlers and spectators alike enjoyed a fantastic evening of fun and competition.

Winners: Peter Micklan, Rhonda Martin, and Joe Yipnazar
Second Place: Ken Ferguson, Deon McIntosh, and Heather Jorgensen
Bradman's Prize: Braedyn, Clinton, Aiden, and Rhianna
Mark your calendars – the next Trophy Night is set for June 13.

Wednesday Bowls

A strong turnout made for an exciting midweek session featuring pairs and triples.

Pairs Winners: Colleen Olsen and Lyn Storrie defeated Joy Woods and Darelle Pearce
Triples Winners: Ann Newton, Vanda Ballao, and Helen Colling edged out Kaye Garner, Bev Garioch, and Margaret Chapman in a well-fought match.

Saturday Competitions

Two fiercely contested matches lit up the greens on Saturday.

David Defranciscis and David Harding narrowly defeated Peter Lejarraga and Doug Robins in a nail-biter that was decided by an extra end after the scores were tied at 21 ends.
In the B Grade Pairs Semi Final, Trevor Elton claimed victory over Doug Kiehne in another tight encounter.

Sunday Afternoon Social Bowls

Fourteen bowlers turned out for a relaxed but competitive afternoon of triples and fours.

Triples Winners: Henry Hazel, Glenn Woodford, and Alan Garioch beat Rob Jorgensen, Peter Henderson, and Jeff Taylor
Fours Winners: Gary Nosworthy, Leo Kenny, Joe Ypinazar, and Richard Mau defeated Margaret Chapman, Sandra Darwen, Vince Beitia, and Hugh Montgomery

Men’s Country Pennants – Held in Ayr

Brandon Bowls Club took top honours at the Men’s Country Pennants, finishing with three wins and earning first place.

Team 1: Jamie Woods, Jason Farry, David Harding, David Defranciscis
Team 2: Ken Ferguson, Ray Panecassio / Peter Lejarraga, Chris Pearce, Gary Pearce
Team 3: Ben Mills, Doug Robins, Kevin Collins, Peter Jorgensen

Ayr came in second with two wins. The next round of the Country Pennants will be hosted in Bowen on September 6.

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Local

Not a great weekend for the seniors — one draw, three losses, and one win by forfeit. All five teams are expected to be in action this weekend.

On Friday night at International Park, the Division 1 Men lost 0-2 to MA Olympic, while the Division 2 Men won by forfeit. The Ladies were away to Brothers, going down 0-4. On Sunday, the Premiers and Reserves travelled to MA Olympic, with the Premiers losing 1-2 and the Reserves drawing 0-0.

This Friday, the Division 1 Men and the Ladies are both at home. Division 1 face Brothers at 8.30, while the Ladies play Warriors at 6.30. The Division 2 Men are away to Saints Eagles Souths. On Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are away to Rebels.

Premiers

The Ayr Anzac Club Panthers knew that the day after the races is always a tough one — especially against a side like MA Olympic. Burdekin started sluggishly and paid the price early, conceding two quick goals.

To their credit, the Panthers responded with some quality build-up play. Jay Leckenby sparked a promising move down the right, linking up nicely before threading a pass to Damien Casella, who calmly finished to close the gap before halftime.

Despite building momentum and creating chances, a string of injuries forced some reshuffling at the break. The Panthers controlled large stretches of the second half and pushed forward with intent, but the finishing touch was missing. Plenty of positives to take, but ultimately the boys went down 1-2.

Reserves

The Burdekin Tyre Service Reserves were away to Olympic for a top-of-the-table clash. With their strongest line-up of the season, the Panthers were quietly confident despite facing an unbeaten opponent. The match was hard-fought, with both sides showing solid defence and creating goal-scoring chances. MA Olympic had a few good looks in the first half but couldn’t convert.

The second half began poorly, with Burdekin sloppy in possession. Once again, their effort and commitment were tested. In a carbon copy of recent games, the Burdekin defence stood firm and continually repelled Olympic’s attacks. In the final 20 minutes, the Panthers were the better side and had several chances to steal the win, but poor finishing or great goalkeeping kept the score 0-0. A third straight scoreless draw.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Division 1 Men took on MA Olympic on Friday night, going down 0-2 after trailing 0-1 at halftime. The Panthers created chances but it just wasn’t their night. Standout performances came from Seaton Ivory and Dom Woodford.

Division 2 Men

The Burdekin 2nd Division Funkies were scheduled to play Warriors at home on Friday night, but the Townsville club forfeited.

Ladies

The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies travelled to Townsville on Friday night to take on Brothers, losing 0-4 — quite the contrast to their 16-0 win the week before!

Juniors

Teams from Under 8s and up made their first trip to Townsville on Saturday — a great experience, especially for kids playing away for the first time. The Under 5s to 7s played local matches and had an absolute ball.

Burdekin was represented by four teams at the SESFC carnival on Sunday, with all players giving it their all and having a great time. The combined Easts and Crusaders Under 8 team came away with four wins, including the Grand Final.

Saints Under 8s recorded one win, one draw, and one loss. The Under 11 boys had one win and two defeats. The Under 10/11 girls finished runners-up after two wins and a draw took them to the Grand Final. Fantastic work from all the players, coaches, managers, parents, and supporters.

Masters

Another solid turnout on Monday. In a tight match, Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0, with Tobin Messi netting the winner. Monday night at 6.30 is the place to be — see you there. A reminder that the Mooney Cup will be played around the end of July.

National

In the A-League Men, the first leg of the semi-finals saw Auckland win 1-0 away to Melbourne Victory, and Melbourne City claim a 3-1 win away to Western United. The second legs will be played this weekend.

In the A-League Women’s Grand Final, Central Coast Mariners beat Melbourne Victory on penalties (5-4) after a 1-1 draw.

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The Burdekin Roosters will be back on the playing field this Saturday—and, more importantly, will play their first home game after opening the season with three games on the road.

It will be a big day at Rugby Park, with the Juniors also in action. Thirteen junior teams, along with Bowen, will take the field.

Games will kick off at 8.30am across four fields, finishing with the A Grade clash on Field One at 6.30pm.

The Roosters Old Boys Club will be at the Ayr Anzac Club from midday for a get-together before heading to Rugby Park to cheer on the current players.

The first senior match will start at 3.30pm, with the combined Burdekin/Herbert River women’s team—named Burdekin River—taking on the Western Lions.

The Lions have been top-notch for a few years, but the local girls showed in their first outing, with a win over Norths, that they could be a force once fully fit.

Players to watch for the Hens include Townsville centre Martina Monday, hooker Abby King, and five-eighth from Ingham, Paige Horvat. Blackhawks Under-19 players Tiana Krusjfeldt and Lily Mills are also in the squad.

At 5pm, the Reserves will meet the Lions, and coach Peter Horan will relish having a full crew to call upon. In matches so far, the Reggies have been close at halftime, with a lack of numbers telling in the second stanza.

Dylan Doak will lead a good young group around, with John Zaro and Llama Ghee prominent. Riley Easton had a big game against Norths and will again be looked to for impact.

Roosters A Grade coach Steve Lansley will be hoping PNG international Aiden Arisa is back from injury and that Blackhawks centre Logan Dickson is available to play.

The locals held Souths until near the end of their last match with good defence and clever attack. With halves Jye Olsen and Hayde Munro steering the team around, Olsen’s kicking game could prove decisive.

The Roosters have speed and youth—and that could be the difference. Terrence Mosby and Colby Thompson are two young forwards to keep an eye on.

Last weekend in RLTD fixtures:

Brothers got back on track with a 30–0 win over Centrals.
Norths beat Charters Towers 24–22.
In the top-of-the-table clash, Souths spoiled Ladies Day in Ingham with a 38–14 win over Herbert River.
Lions and the Roosters had byes.
Reserve Grade:

Brothers beat Centrals 20–18.
Norths and Towers drew 18–18.
Souths defeated River 36–4.
Bowen were too good for the Lions, winning 24–16.
Women's:

Centrals beat Brothers 24–4.
Towers overcame Norths 18–8.
The Lions dominated Bowen 64–0.

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Home Hill Cricket Club’s current and former juniors, Xavier Cross and Nate Elphinstone, proudly represented Queensland in the Century Cricket State of Origin Under-13 Series held in Brisbane over the April school holidays. The series brought together junior players from five regional teams: Victoria Metro, Victoria Country, New South Wales, Queensland, and the Allies – a combined side featuring players from Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia.

Despite the first day being rained out, Xavier and Nate made the most of the weather setback by experiencing indoor cricket for the first time – an exciting new challenge that sharpened their reflexes and team communication.

Over the following three days of fast-paced T20 cricket, the Queensland side had mixed results but showed strong character. They secured close wins against the Allies and Victoria Country but fell narrowly short in a thrilling 3-run loss to New South Wales. The boys wrapped up the tournament in the third-place playoff, where they faced the Allies again but couldn’t chase down a strong total.

In a series where wickets were scarce, both Xavier and Nate stood out with the ball. Each took key wickets for their side, applying pressure in crucial overs and showcasing strong bowling discipline and accuracy.

The tournament also provided a valuable opportunity for growth under the guidance of coach Hassan. With 18 years of experience representing the Maldivian National Team, and now active in Queensland Premier Cricket with Western Suburbs, Hassan brought a wealth of international experience and tactical knowledge.

A special highlight for the boys came when Josh Brown, former Brisbane Heat Big Bash League powerhouse, made a surprise visit to Marchant Park. Known for his big-hitting and explosive top-order performances, Brown watched a few overs live and then joined the team back at their accommodation for a Q&A session. His insights into professional preparation, mindset, and power-hitting were eagerly absorbed by the young cricketers.

Xavier and Nate did themselves, their club, and their region proud—competing hard, learning fast, and growing both as players and teammates. Their performances at this level show they’re ones to watch in Queensland cricket’s future.

Written by Brooke Cross

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Nate: Nate Elphinstone representing Queensland at the Century Cricket State of Origin Under-13 Series. Photo supplied
Xavier: Xavier Cross representing Queensland at the Century Cricket State of Origin Under-13 Series. Photo supplied

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After a busy weekend of events, the club returned to its regular routine, starting with Friday night bowls. Attendance was down slightly due to the long weekend, with ten players participating across one game of triples and one game of pairs.

In the triples, Margaret McLaughlan and Ray Panacassio defeated D. Sheehan and Ross McLaughlan. In the pairs, the team of Ben Mills, Lloyd Shepherd, and W. Newton proved too strong for A. Newton, L. Storrie, and Jamie Woods.

Saturday, 3 May – Pairs Championship

Saturday saw the continuation of the Pairs Championship, with Kevin Collins and Lloyd Shepherd facing off against Peter Jorgensen and Joe Yipnazar. The game was played in challenging conditions, with strong winds and rain forcing play to pause at times.

Jorgensen and Yipnazar started the stronger of the two sides, displaying impressive draw bowling that saw them take an early lead. Collins and Shepherd knew they had a fight on their hands and slowly worked their way back into the game. A rain delay midway through left the match hanging in the balance, but once play resumed, Collins and Shepherd managed to take control and secure their place in the final.

Sunday, 4 May – Pairs Championship

The championship resumed on Sunday with Jamie Wood and Peter Henderson coming up against Doug Robins and Peter Lejarraga. Played in fierce winds reaching 25 to 30 knots, it was always going to be a question of which pair could best adapt to the tough conditions.

Robins and Lejarraga rose to the challenge and dominated the match from early on. Wood and Henderson struggled to find their rhythm, and even when they managed to land positional bowls, luck wasn’t on their side. Robins and Lejarraga claimed a convincing win.

Sunday, 4 May – Social Bowls

Social bowls also went ahead on Sunday, despite the same difficult conditions. Two games of rinks and one game of pairs were played.

In the first rink match, J. Farry, B. Mills, G. Woodford, and D. Defrancisci defeated D. Sheehan, H. Hazel, M. McCloskey, and P. Jorgenson. The second rink saw C. Sexton, S. Darwin, G. Nosworthy, and R. Mau come out on top against M. Chapman, H. Collins, L. Shepherd, and J. Taylor. In the pairs match, K. Ferguson and A. Gairoch overcame N. Dickinson and D. Kiehne.

Midweek and Upcoming Events

Wednesday’s lawn bowls also went ahead in windy weather. Congratulations to Bev Garioch, Darelle Pearce, and Lyn Storrie, who defeated Kay Garner, Colleen Olsen, and Helen Collins.

Friday night saw more players return to the green. Margaret McLaughlan, Ken Ferguson, and Gary Pearce notched a win over D. McIntosh, Lyn Storrie, and Ray Panacassio. In another match, B. McIntosh, Dave Sheehan, and Jamie Woods proved too strong for Joy Woods, Ben Mills, Rob Jorgensen, and Ross McLaughlin.

Looking ahead, the club wishes good luck to those selected for the upcoming Country Pennants, to be held on 18 May at Ayr Bowls Club.

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Lloyd Shepherd, Kevin Collins. Photo supplied

Doug Robins, Peter Lejarraga. Photo supplied

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After a week off with away opens, junior golf was back on here in Ayr this Saturday morning. Overcast and cool, it was a perfect few hours on the course. May Monthly Medal. Our winners for the monthly medal for 9 holes was Kyle Wilkie, with a wonderful PB. For 6 holes it was Hunter Oar, who played some great shots today. And for 3 holes it was River Oar. Gross winners were Amaya Mahoney for 9 holes, Evelyn Mahoney for 6 holes, and Opie McKeough for 3 holes. Congratulations all.

Ayr Junior golf runs a 3, 6 or 9 hole competition every Saturday morning during school term. We also have coaching this year, once a month from a professional coach, Tara Jenkins, who travels down from Townsville. Please follow our Junior Golf Ayr Facebook page for more information, or enquire at the Ayr golf clubhouse.

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Synonymous with the Sugar Bowl are the Teaspoons.

The Teaspoons have been part of the Sugar Bowl since the 1980s, originally led by longtime captain David Woods. Today, the legacy continues with his son Josh, who rallies the team each year. They come together not just to play, but for mateship, camaraderie, and to support the club and the wider community. The Sugar Bowl simply wouldn’t be the same without their unwavering commitment.

The Woods family motto — “first to arrive, last to leave” — is lived out every year. Captain Josh even managed a 5 a.m. run to Cape Upstart to tow home his brother, handing off early morning duties to his son Deegan, who rose to the challenge.

Though some members, like Councillor Max, are no longer in playing shape, they still turn up to help, often manning the barbecue. Sunday tradition sees the team gather to cook pork for the evening meal — a highlight of the weekend.

Each year, the organisers award the Woods Team Spirit Trophy to the team that best embodies the spirit of the game. With their sharp 2025 shirts, steadfast club support, strong court presence, and unwavering sportsmanship, the Teaspoons earned it this year.

They averaged 22.5 games per session and held their usual place of honour a teaspoon tradition — a strong performance, especially compared to past runs at the Casswell B Grade Men's Trophy.

At the closing, President Joel Hanson and Josh Woods paid a tribute to all the volunteers in both clubs who contributed in any way to the running of the Sugar Bowl. “This is our main event of the year and without all the people helping out we could not run the event. All the people, especially the organisers, the workers who get the jobs done, the kitchen staff, and the cooks are just terrific. They are long hours.” The club and players are already looking forward to the 2026 Bowl.

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On Saturday, the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club hosted their annual Presentation night for both the Junior and Senior members to celebrate and recognise achievements over the season.  The club had over 100 members, family, friends and sponsors attend to wrap up the 2024-25 Season. The Ayr SLSC junior committee would like to thank their additional sponsors for the donations for prizes and awards - Wassmuth Automotive, Radar Floors, Rocky Ponds Produce, Laser Electrical, Bob Gould's Fabrication, Astute Finance, Burdekin Swim School, Rob's Tree Solutions, Pontifex Farming and Julie's Pharmacy.

Ayr Surf Club Award Winners Announced

Junior Award Winners:

Age Champions - U6: Georgia Irvine & Micah Kemp, U7: Eliza Hayllor & Koby Flower, U8: Mackenzie Sartori & Jude Lawry, U9: Toby Hatherell, U10: Lola Gibson & Ryan Irvine, U11: Taylor Chapman, Lewis Bonato & Luca Lawry, U12: Alyssa Irvine, U13: Milla Chapman & Nate Giddy, U14: Briella Wassmuth & Zachary Dale.

The Bill Blakey Memorial Trophy for Junior Best Triers - Ryan Irvine & Quinn Pontifex.
Open Best Triers - Cole Pontifex & Emma Jones.

Burdekin Swim School Best Open Water Swimmers - Zachary Dale & Milla Chapman.
The Bevan & Treena List Perpetual Trophy for Open Ironman and Ironmaiden - Parker Bonato & Milla Chapman.

The Bennett Family Memorial Trophy for the Junior Champions - Angus Wicks & Lola Gibson.
Senior Champions - Nate Giddy & Milla Chapman.

The JR Benvenuti Memorial Trophy for the Most Improved Junior - Hoyt Pontifex.

The Roy & Bev Young Perpetual Trophy for the Most Improved Open - Jake Sartori.

The Robbie & Joyce Great Perpetual Trophy for Most Points at Carnivals - Taylor Chapman.

The Ken Steel Encouragement Award - Harrison Sartori. Additional encouragement awards went to Oscar Hayllor, Lane Hartwell, Lachlan Jones, Gabriel Hatherell, Torah Giddy, Audrey Rickards, Eva Rickards & Isabella Flower.

The Bob & Bev Andrews Perpetual Trophy for the Most Promising Junior - Lola Gibson.

Recognition of Long Service to Nippers - Parker Bonato.

The Jack Sartori Memorial Trophy for the Most Consistent All Rounder - Zachary Dale.

The Margaret Webber Memorial Trophy for The Junior Lifesaver of the Year - Briella Wassmuth.

Recognition was given to our junior members who went above and beyond in surf sports this season by acknowledging Isla and Milla Chapman who made the Queensland Country Team, where Milla won gold in the U13 Flags, bronze in U13 Sprints & silver in the U13 Beach Relay, the 13 members who made the2024-25 North Barrier Branch Youth State Team: Charlottte Dale, Taylor Chapman, Luca Lawry, Mia Wicks, Milla Chapman, Emma Jones, Emilee Wassmuth, Charlotte Lawry, Cole Pontifex, Briella Wassmuth, Zachary Dale, Isla Chapman & Bella Lawry (with 7 of these also attending the Australian Championships.

***Senior Awards:

Age Champion - U15: Isla Chapman, U17: Ryley Sartori, Female Masters Champion: Jan Hatherell, Male

Masters Champion: Jimmy Hayllor, Female Open Champion: Ryley Sartori, Male Open Champion (Mr & Mrs

Jack Vernon Memorial): Jimmy Hayllor.

The Don Johnson Memorial for Official of the Year - Stephanie Dale.

The Jim Great Memorial for Most Efficient Patrol Member - Bella Lawry.

Highest Patrolling Hours - Bella Lawry, Ben Lawry, Kellie Lawry, Briella Wassmuth, Kristy Wassmuth,

John Moloney, Lisa Furnell, Tony Felesina, Terry Lund, Heather Scott, Jane Jones.

The Sam Johnson Memorial for Most Active Club Member - Kristy Wassmuth.

The June Galbraith Memorial Encouragement Award - Zachary Dale.

The Laurie 'Rags' Regattieri Memorial for Contribution to Surf Life Saving - Bella Lawry.

Contribution to Surf Rescue (donated by Furnell Family) - Kellie Lawry.

The Kevin (Keg) Helander Memorial for Club Member for Outstanding Services - John Moloney.

The Lifesaver of the Year (donated by the Chappell Family) - Kellie Lawry.

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Most Consistent All Rounder - Zachary Dale
U14 Junior Lifesaver of the Year - Briella Wassmuth
Most Points at Carnivals - Taylor Chapman

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Local

It was a strong weekend for the seniors, with four wins and two draws from six matches, scoring 35 goals across the board. All five senior teams will be in action again this weekend.

On Friday night at International Park, the Ladies defeated Saints Eagles Souths 16-0, while the Division 1 Men thumped Warriors 11-0. In Townsville, the Division 2 Men beat JCU Riverway 2-1. On Saturday at home, the Premiers drew 1-1 with Warriors and the Reserves finished 0-0 against the same opponent. Then on Sunday, Division 2 faced JCU again in Townsville, securing a 5-0 victory.

This Friday, both Division 1 and Division 2 Men are at home. Division 2 kicks off at 6:30pm against Warriors, followed by Division 1 vs Olympic at 8:30pm. The Ladies are away to Brothers at 6:30pm. On Sunday, the Premiers and Reserves travel to Olympic for 6:00pm and 4:00pm kick-offs respectively.

Premiers

The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers and Warriors played out a tense 1-1 draw on Saturday in a fierce, emotionally charged clash. Still riding high from their gritty performance against Brothers, the Panthers were up for the fight. The first half saw chances for both sides, but disciplined defence and sharp goalkeeping kept it scoreless.

Warriors struck early in the second half when Ethan Roberts latched onto a through ball and chipped the Burdekin keeper from 25 yards. The goal sparked the Panthers into gear. With their midfield pressing higher and forcing turnovers, Matthew Kolb found a breakthrough, weaving through defenders and firing home the equaliser. Both teams pushed for a winner, but the contest ended as a hard-earned draw — a fair result in a match full of grit and quality.

Reserves

The Burdekin Tyre Service Reserves hosted Warriors on Saturday afternoon in a reshuffled lineup due to Premier League absences. They started slowly, but the backline held firm, allowing the Panthers to gain momentum as the game progressed. Leighton Gallagher was denied by a top-shelf save, and Oscar Licciardello hit the post. In the second half, Warriors pressed hard, but Burdekin’s resolve didn’t waver. The match remained scoreless, with both sides creating late chances. The point keeps the Panthers in second on the ladder.

Division 1 Men

The Austral Masonry Division 1 side produced a massive 11-0 win over Warriors after a modest 3-0 halftime lead. Once they found rhythm, the Panthers poured in the goals. Angus Innes and Lachlan Fry bagged hat-tricks, Brayden Card netted a double, and Charlie Shears, Max Kelly, and Seb Mio each added one.

Division 2 Men

The Burdekin Funkies had a dream weekend, earning their first points of the season with back-to-back wins. On Friday night, they edged out Riverway JCU 2-1 with goals from Chris Achille and Jake Lacey. On Sunday, they faced the same opponent again, this time cruising to a 5-0 win. Simon Scuderi netted a hat-trick, with James Dwyer and Heath Swindley also on the scoresheet. The Funkies face Warriors at home this Friday at 6:30pm.

Ladies

There was no stopping the Ayr Anzac Club Ladies on Friday night. They scored in the opening minute against Saints Eagles Souths and led 7-0 at halftime before piling on another nine goals to win 16-0. Kya Quagliata, Sienna Lago, Charlie Ruskin, and Zandi Bonanno each netted twice. Tahlia Lawson, Rhia Neilsen, Dayna Linton, and Sian Reardon added one apiece.

Juniors

Saturday saw great junior football action, with Warriors bringing teams from Under 8s up to play Burdekin sides. Brothers also visited, facing the Under 10/11 girls. The weather was perfect — overcast and cool — ideal for the kids. The quality of play in the 5–7 age group continues to impress, and the Burdekin girls looked sharp in their new kits.

This Saturday, all Under 8 and older Burdekin teams head to Townsville for their first away trip of the season. It’s a great opportunity to experience a new venue. Good luck and safe travels to all teams!

Masters

Another great turnout for Monday Masters, with Arsenal beating PSG 4-2 in a thrilling match. Even Leonardo Charlie-George found the net! We’re excited to welcome Nathaniel Ek, our first player from Belize, and to see the return of “Hippy Nige” from Côte d’Ivoire and Jaison from India. Monday nights at 6:30 — be there!

National & International

The Socceroos begin their 2026 World Cup Group C Qualifiers with a home match against Japan on 5 June, followed by an away clash with Saudi Arabia on 10 June. Australia must win at least one to secure automatic qualification.

The Matildas return to action on 30 May in Melbourne against Argentina, followed by a second friendly on 2 June in Canberra.

In A-League Men’s Elimination Finals, Western United edged Adelaide 3-2, and Melbourne Victory beat Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1. Semi-final first legs: Western United vs Melbourne City, and Victory vs Auckland.

In the A-League Women’s semi-finals, Central Coast defeated Melbourne City 1-0 to reach the Grand Final. They’ll face Melbourne Victory, who beat Adelaide 3-1. The Final will be played this Sunday.

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It was a tough outing for the Roosters in Townsville on Saturday, with Norths racing away to a 40–4 win in A Grade, thanks in no small part to a host of NRL and QRL talent.

The difference in resources was stark. Norths fielded seven Cowboys-contracted players and three from the Blackhawks system — a luxury the Roosters simply didn’t have. The Burdekin side was allocated one Cowboys player this year, but he remains sidelined for the season after being injured in last year’s City-Country clash. Of their two Blackhawks players, one is also out long-term with an ACL injury sustained against Souths.

Still, coach Steve Lansley wasn’t making excuses.

“It is what it is — the local boys are giving their best,” Lansley said.

Despite the lopsided result, the Roosters showed grit. They kept Norths scoreless for the opening 29 minutes before two costly mistakes led to three quick tries and an 18–0 halftime deficit.

“To the boys’ credit, they never gave up,” Lansley said. “The penalty count went against us, and we made a few errors that led to tries, but the effort was there.”

Colby Thompson had a strong performance at hooker, steering the side with maturity, while newcomer Terrence Mosby showed promise in his debut. Kicker Jye Olsen was effective in relieving pressure, and Terry Connors scored the Roosters’ lone try.

Around the Grounds – A Grade

Souths thumped Brothers 50–18
Charters Towers edged out Western Lions 20–16
Herbert River downed Centrals 34–12
Reserves Outgunned Despite Strong Start

The Reserve Grade Roosters also suffered a heavy loss, going down 36–10 to Norths after leading at halftime.

Coach Peter Horan’s side showed early promise, leading 10–8 at the break with tries from Riley Easton and Bokeem Reid, and a conversion from Dylan Doak. But the tide turned in the second half, with Norths bolstered by players dropping back from their stacked A Grade squad.

“Two of our players didn’t show up, and that didn’t help,” Horan said. “But I take my hat off to the youngsters — 11 of the 17 are still eligible for Under 20s.”

Llama Ghee was named players’ player for a strong debut, while Easton again impressed in the forwards. Solid contributions also came from John Zaro, Dylan Doak, and Niall Lee.

Reserve Grade Results

Western Lions 48 def. Charters Towers 6
Souths 44 def. Brothers 6
Centrals 64 def. Bowen 4
Herbert River had the bye
Burdekin River Women Off to a Winning Start

With both Burdekin and Herbert River short on numbers in the women’s competition, the two clubs combined to form Burdekin River — and the new side made a strong first impression.

After just one joint training session, the team took to the field on Saturday and ran out 26–14 winners, having led 26–0 before fatigue crept in during the final 15 minutes.

Coach Anita Hagarty was thrilled.

“It was a great effort first up, and things look promising,” she said.

Centre Martina Monday starred for Townsville, while five-eighth Paige Horvat was also impressive. Hagarty believes the team will only improve as combinations develop.

Try-scorers were Martina Monday, JP Morgan, Tiana, Tanley, Talisha Bulgarelli, and Teah Lee Monday. Tiana kicked a goal.

Women’s Results

Bowen forfeited to Centrals
Western Lions 40 def. Charters Towers 0
Brothers had the bye
Looking Ahead – This Week’s Fixtures

The Roosters have the week off, with byes in both A Grade and Reserves.

Upcoming matches:

Brothers host Centrals
Souths travel to Herbert River
Norths take on Charters Towers
Western Lions also have a bye

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If you’ve ever set foot in the Home Hill Bowls Club, chances are you’ve heard the name Bob Young.

Bob first joined the club in 1960, back when he was juggling life as a young father and the demands of a growing bakery business. Even then, his talent on the green was unmistakable. It didn’t take long before fellow members noticed his knack for the sport—and his drive to see the club thrive.

By 1979, Bob had been elected club president, stepping into the role with trademark energy. That year alone saw the bar floor carpeted and tiled, and for the first time in club history, pennant players were reimbursed for their lunch and green fees—a small gesture that meant a lot.

He wasn’t just a figure behind the scenes, though. Bob was also a fierce competitor. Over the years, he took out the B Grade Singles, Open Pairs, and Consistency Singles titles. He also played a key role in Home Hill’s Pioneer Cup wins in 1971 and 1976.

But it wasn’t all serious business. Locals still remember the rumble of his Ford Fairlane 500 echoing through the streets—a signal to his kids that dad was on his way home, or maybe just heading back to the club.

For Bob, bowls has always been about more than just the game. It’s about friendship, loyalty, and giving back. As a Rotarian and long-time club member, he poured energy into the Home Hill community, just as he did into his bakery and the sport he loves. His wife Elaine, a champion bowler in her own right, has always been a big part of that story—though Bob would prefer not to face her on the green.

Now, decades on, Bob’s passion has rubbed off on the next generation. His son Mick has recently taken up the game, inspired by a childhood spent at the club watching his parents’ tireless dedication.

Because in the Young family, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Stormin’ Norman

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Reg Oats, Jim Oats, Harry Hartwell, and Bob Young won the pioneer cup for the second time in our club in 1971.

Local

Another long weekend with no senior fixtures. However, all five teams should be in action this weekend. On Friday night, the Ladies play at home against Saints Eagles Souths at 6:30, followed by the Men’s Division 1 match against Warriors at 8:30. On Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are at home to Warriors, with the Reserves kicking off at 5:00 and the Premier at 7:00. The Division 2 men are away to JCU Riverway at 6:30 on Friday.

This is Pink Panthers Female Football Week, with a variety of events culminating on Friday, including a Junior Girls Exhibition match, face painting, and fairy floss, immediately before the Ladies' fixture against SES.

Juniors

No junior games were played over the long weekend due to the FQ Academy Carnival in Mackay. Fixtures will resume this Saturday. Let’s hope for a clear run now for the year! A massive thanks to everyone involved locally and in Townsville for scheduling draws and games across our multiple age groups and venues—an absolute mammoth task.

Masters

Another decent turnout on Monday night at 6:30. See you there.

National and International

There’s barely a month left until the Socceroos play their first of two 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group C matches. They will be at home to Japan on June 5, then travel to Saudi Arabia on June 10. Australia must win one of these games to be sure of direct qualification. Japan leads the group, and Saudi Arabia is in third place.

The Matildas will be back in action in three weeks, with two friendlies against Argentina. The first is on May 30 in Melbourne, followed by the second on June 2 in Canberra.

In the A-League Men, fixtures were completed over the weekend. Auckland lost 2-4 away to Western Utd but had already won the minor premiership. Melbourne City thrashed Sydney FC 5-1 to secure second place, with Western Utd in third, just one point behind. Western Sydney finished fourth after winning 3-1 away to Macarthur. Victory finished fifth, and Adelaide came sixth. The Finals series starts this weekend with the Elimination Finals: Western Utd at home to Adelaide on Friday, and Western Sydney hosting Melbourne Victory on Saturday.

In the A-League Women, the Finals series has begun, with the first leg of the semi-finals played over the weekend. Melbourne City and Central Coast drew 2-2, while Melbourne Victory won 3-1 away to Adelaide. It’s looking like an all-Melbourne Grand Final at this stage. The second leg of the semis will be played this weekend.

In England’s EPL, with just three rounds to play, champions Liverpool somehow lost 3-1 away to Chelsea. However, Arsenal also lost 1-2 at home to Bournemouth, so Liverpool remains 15 points ahead of the Gunners. Manchester City moved up to third after Newcastle could only draw away to Brighton. Chelsea remains in fifth, level on points with Newcastle.

In the Bundesliga, with two rounds left, the top four teams all drew. Bayern are now champions, eight points clear of Leverkusen, last year’s champions. Frankfurt stays in third, a further 12 points adrift, while fourth-placed Freiburg is four points behind. Bochum and Kiel are already relegated, with Heidenheim looking most likely to join them.

In Serie A, both Napoli and Inter won. With three rounds left, third-placed Atalanta is six points behind. Juventus remain in fourth, despite a 1-1 draw away to Bologna, now five points adrift of Atalanta. Monza’s relegation is certain, and two of Empoli, Venezia, or Lecce could join them.

In La Liga, with four rounds left, Barcelona and Real Madrid both won. Barca stays top, four points clear of Real, with third-placed Atletico a further eight points behind. Bilbao is six points behind Atletico in fourth. Valladolid is certain to be relegated, and Leganes, Las Palmas, Girona, and Alaves are in danger.

In Ligue 1, with two rounds left, PSG lost again, but it matters little as they are already champions, 19 points ahead of Marseille, who drew and is now one point ahead of Monaco. Nice won and is now fourth, just one point behind Monaco. At the foot of the table, Montpellier is already relegated, and St Etienne looks likely to join them. Le Havre, Angers, and Nantes are also in danger.

The European Champions League semi-finals, second leg, will be played this week. Barcelona is away to Inter after drawing 3-3 at home, and Arsenal is away to PSG after losing the home leg 0-1. It’s looking like an Inter vs PSG Final.

Quote of the Week: Former Manchester Utd Manager Ron Atkinson, on Steve Coppell, who had retired due to injury: "With his enthusiasm, I like to think he would stay in the game, although he is an intelligent lad."

Masters

Monday Night Masters had a better-than-expected turnout on Easter Monday. In a very tight game, Liverpool and Spurs drew 1-1. Daniel Ziliotto put Liverpool in front, but Len Duquemin equalised for Tottenham in the second half. Everyone is welcome to the Masters on Monday nights at 6:30, International Park. Be there!

National and International

Not much happening on the international front with the Socceroos and Matildas on a break. The Socceroos have just two games left in the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group C: at home to Japan on June 5 and away to Saudi Arabia on June 10. Australia must win one of these games to be sure of direct qualification. Japan leads the group, and Saudi Arabia is in third place.

The Matildas won’t be back in action until the end of May. They have two friendlies against Argentina, the first on May 30 in Melbourne, and the second on June 2 in Canberra. Mary Fowler, one of the Matildas’ stars, has suffered a serious ACL injury and could be sidelined for some time. Hopefully, the Matildas will have appointed a new coach soon!

In the A-League Men, Auckland won 1-0 at home to Perth, securing the Minor Premiership. A fantastic performance in their first year in the competition. Melbourne City drew at home to Adelaide and stayed in second place, while Western Utd beat Sydney FC to move into third. Western Sydney won away to Newcastle, staying in fourth, and Brisbane won again! They beat Wellington 1-0 and are now safely in twelfth place. Perth will finish bottom of the table.

In the A-League Women, it’s the Finals series, and the Elimination Finals were played over the weekend. Adelaide beat Western Utd 1-0, and Central Coast beat Canberra...

In the EPL, with four games to go, Liverpool are champions after thrashing Spurs 5-1. The Scousers are 15 points clear of Arsenal, with third-placed Newcastle a further five points away. Manchester City is still fourth, although they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the FA Cup semi-final. In the other semi-final, Crystal Palace thumped Aston Villa 3-0. Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton have all been relegated.

In the Bundesliga, with three rounds left, the top four teams all won. Leaders Bayern now need just one point to become champions again, eight points clear of Leverkusen. Eintracht remains in third place, a further 12 points adrift, and Freiburg stays in fourth, two points behind. Bochum and Kiel are already relegated, and Heidenheim looks most likely to join them.

In Serie A, Napoli won, and with Inter losing, Napoli now have a three-point lead with four rounds left. Atalanta remains in third place, six points behind, and Juventus are fourth, just a point behind. Monza’s relegation is certain, and Empoli, Venezia, Lecce, Cagliari, and possibly Parma could join them.

In La Liga, with five rounds to go, Barcelona stays top after defeating Real Madrid 3-2, giving them a four-point lead. Atletico remains third, six points behind, with Bilbao fourth, another six points back. Valladolid is certain to be relegated, and Leganes, Las Palmas, Girona, and Alaves are in danger.

In Ligue 1, with three rounds left, PSG lost 1-3 at home to Nice, their first loss of the season. This cuts their lead to just 20 points over second-placed Marseille, with Lille in third and Monaco dropping to fourth. Montpellier is doomed, and St Etienne, Le Havre, Angers, and Nantes are all in danger.

Quote of the Week: Then Northern Ireland Manager Billy Bingham: "The proof of the pudding is when you get down to the nitty-gritty."

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