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45 teams from across Queensland met in Home Hill last weekend, duelling for glory in what was the 45th edition of the region’s esteemed Sugar Bowl tennis tournament. Men’s and women’s teams travelled from as far as Brisbane, competing in a traditional round-robin format across A Grade, A2 Grade and B Grade divisions from Saturday, 2 May to Monday, 4 May. Emerald Tennis Club’s Keg Slayers took out the A Grade men’s competition, with M&M’s claiming the women’s A Grade title for a fourth time. A2 Grade men’s champions TTT dominated the division, while the Lady Bugs pipped their A2 women’s rivals to glory. The Shoeys edged the Wackers to claim men’s B Grade glory, and the Hot Shots proved too strong for the women’s B division after a comfortable victory. Both Col’s Crew and the Sugar Hits were recognised with Team Spirit awards to tie off the eventful three days. Home Hill Tennis Association secretary Kate Casswell said the event was another feather in the cap of the club, continuing the tournament’s 45-year history with another successful edition. “It was such a successful year with a really strong field. The quality we saw from the A men’s in particular this year was next level,” Ms Casswell said. She said the event garnered significant interest from the tennis community. “Tennis really picks up locally—even in Townsville—because this is a big thing on the calendar for them. They want to come to play, compete and have fun,” she said. Ms Casswell said the influx of visitors also boosted local business, with around 1,000 players and spectators filling local accommodation and supporting businesses throughout the long weekend. She thanked the committee, team captains and the Ayr-Home Hill Lions Club for their efforts in facilitating the event that was just as much social as it was competitive. “The highlight for me is just seeing all the teams come and have a great time together—the positivity and the energy that comes from it,” she said.
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Ayr’s finest golfers have returned triumphant from the 2026 Queensland Women’s Country Week. Battling "character-building" coastal winds across Yeppoon and Rockhampton, the eight-strong squad proved their mettle on the greens. The highlight belonged to Kerry Heuir and Sandra Wight, who secured the Division 2 Foursomes title with a gritty 95. Former local Amanda Gees also tasted glory in Division 1. Between rainbows and gala dinners, the week celebrated the unbreakable spirit and camaraderie of regional golf. Read on page 29 CAPTION: Battling "character-building" coastal winds across Yeppoon and Rockhampton, the eight-strong squad proved their mettle on the greens. Photo source: Ayr Golf Club/Facebook
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Seniors A disappointing weekend for the Burdekin Panthers. The Club had only three senior games drawing two and losing one. The Premiers and Reserves were away to Warriors with the Premiers drawing 1-1 and the Reserves losing 0-1. The Division 1 team forfeited but the Division 2, drew 1-1 away to MA Olympic. The Colts also had a bye, and the Ladies have withdrawn from the competition. This week four teams are in action as the Colts have a bye. On Friday, the Division 1 and Division 2 teams are at home to Olympic, at 8.30 and 6.30 and on Saturday the Premiers and Reserves are away to MA Olympic at 7.00 and 5.00. Premiers – Ayr Anzac Club With several players unavailable, the Panthers were forced into their fifth different backline combination in as many games, heading into a tough away trip to Warriors at Melrose Park, a venue where points are always hard to come by. The first half was a stalemate, with neither side able to gain control despite the Panthers enjoying a large share of possession. Clear chances were limited, and both teams remained disciplined defensively. The second half followed a similar pattern, although Warriors began to create more threatening opportunities. Jarrod Camer stood tall in goal, producing key saves to keep the scores level. With ten minutes remaining, the breakthrough finally came, with Jay Leckenby finishing off a well-worked move to give the Panthers a 1–0 lead. However, the advantage was short-lived, with Warriors equalising five minutes later. The match finished 1–1, a result that reflected a hard-fought contest in difficult conditions. Reserves – Burdekin Tyre Service The Panthers started the game well with plenty of effort and pressure creating multiple chances which the Burdekin were guilty of not taking. On the back of the Panthers failing to score, Warriors took one of their very few chances and scored right before half time. The Panthers applied a lot of pressure after the break but were again guilty of not taking their opportunities. Luke Torkington received a red card, for letting his frustration at some questionable tactics get to him. Even with ten men, Burdekin still had Warriors camped in their half so despite the 1-0 loss there is potential for a better result next round. Division 1 – Austral Masonry Faced with a shortage of players, weddings etcetera, the Division 1 had to forfeit their match against Olympic. Division 2 – RG Customs The RG Customs Funkies drew 1-1 with MA Olympic on Friday night. It was a very competitive contest and free flowing game. Burdekin created numerous attacking chances but continued to be denied by Olympic keeper who was very good all night. It took until the 77th minute for Jared Giardina to give Burdekin the lead with a neat finish. The game was quite frantic until the end and Olympic managed to equalise in the 89th minute to share the points. An unfortunate goal after an incorrect decision to award Olympic a corner that resulted with the goal. Despite the draw the Funkies can be proud of the effort and intensity on the night, for the entire game. A focus, however, must be on finishing off attacking chances and dominating the scoreboard as well as the game. Great performances by Jared Giardina, Jesse Thomasson and also Chris Achille running out the full 90 minutes of play. Ladies Female Football is taking over Monday nights! A strictly social hour of football. All are welcome to attend. Small-sided game, no skills, or experience required! Grab your friends and come down and have good time. 6:30pm, Senior Fields! Welcome to Female Football Week! An exciting two weeks to celebrate the outstanding contribution and the growth of the female game! We are proudly hosting events across the two weeks! Keep an eye out on Facebook for more details. Thank you to all the amazing females and girls that shape the face of what Female Football means in the Burdekin! Masters The Masters had another good turnout and a replay of last week’s World Cup Qualifier, Italy v Bosnia Herzegovina. In a close game Bosnia won 3-2 and for Italy it’s Goodnight Luigi! Fengil scored twice for Bosnia. Best players on the night were George Karagkiozis and Jonty Davis. The Masters play every Monday night. All players are welcome, male, and female, useful and hopeless, halt and lame. Be there, International Park for 6.30 Kick off. Juniors After a quiet week with no games over the long weekend, our junior soccer teams are eager to get back into the swing of things. Training resumes this week, giving players a great chance to sharpen their skills, reconnect with teammates, and prepare for the return to matches this Saturday. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back on the field, refreshed and ready for another exciting round of junior soccer. National The A League Men’s season has reached the final stages. In the Elimination Finals Auckland defeated Melbourne City on penalties after a 1-1 tie and Sydney beat Melbourne Victory 1-0. On Saturday, Sydney now plays Newcastle and Auckland plays Adelaide in the 1st Leg of the semi-finals. The A League Women are at the Semi-finals stage, and in the 1st Leg, Melbourne City beat Victory 1-0 and Brisbane defeated Wellington 2-1. The second leg will be played this weekend. International In the World Cup department, the Socceroos travel to the USA to play Mexico on 31 May at the Rosebowl in Pasadena and now have another ‘friendly’ organised. They play Switzerland in San Diego on 6th June. Australia’s first Group D match is against Turkey in Vancouver on the 14th June. They then play the USA in Seattle on 20th June and Paraguay in San Francisco on 26th June. In Europe, the various leagues are very close to the end of season. In England with three rounds left, Arsenal leads Manchester City by six points, but City has two games in hand. ManU will probably finish in third place with Liverpool or Aston Villa finishing fourth. Wolves and Burnley are already relegated with either Spurs or West Ham joining them. Oh yes, Coventry City won the Championship by eleven points. What a team! In Germany with two rounds to go Bayern are already champions and Dortmund need one more point to finish second. Leipzig should finish in third spot with either Leverkusen, Stuttgart or Hoffenheim finishing fourth. Relegation faces Heidenheim, St Pauli and Wolfsburg. In Spain, with four rounds to go, Barcelona are champions with Real Madrid second and, probably Villarreal third and Atletico fourth. It is very tight at the foot of the table with Oviedo in deep trouble with Levante, Seville and Alaves struggling. In Italy, with three rounds left, Inter are already champions with Napol likely to finish in second place. AC Milan, Juventus, Como or Roma could fill the third and fourth places. Pisa and Verona are already relegated and either Cremonese or Lecce could join them. In France with two rounds to play PSG are already champions and Lens and Lyon are likely to finish in second and third spots. Lille or Rennes will finish fourth. Metz and Nantes are already relegated, and Auxerre will probably accompany them.
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Touch Juniors[Text Wrapping Break]Last Friday’s Junior Touch saw 45 boys and girls aged 4 to 12 nominate. Skills, drills and games will begin this Friday from 5.30pm to 6.15pm for six weeks. Further nominations will still be accepted. Annual General Meeting[Text Wrapping Break]The Annual General Meeting of the Burdekin Touch Association will be held next Tuesday, 12 May, in the Touch Clubhouse at 6pm. Everyone is welcome. Results – Coutt’s Commercial Hotel Open Men’s and Women’s (Round 8) Men[Text Wrapping Break]Way To Go 5 (B Palmer 2) def Nrgize 4 (L Torkington 2)[Text Wrapping Break]Wires Down 6 (K Parravicini 2, G Flannagan 2) drew One Touch IT 6 (J Ballin 2, J Leckenby 2, R Taylor 2)[Text Wrapping Break]Alliance Pharmacy 13 (J Furnell 4, K Hesp 3, A Watson 2) def Baywatch 1[Text Wrapping Break]Burdekin PCYC 12 (G Dau 6, S Doolah 2, T Heron 2) def Blue Murder 7 (N Spina 2, R Smith 2)[Text Wrapping Break]Royal Touch 7 (A Miller 3, C Formilan 2) def Touch n Go 5 (R Piva 2, K Vitty 2)[Text Wrapping Break]Creampuffs 9 (P Le Feuvre 3, L Chatfield 2, L Lampton 2) def Petrol Heads 4[Text Wrapping Break]Teamo Supremo 9 (J Moustakas 3, H Horan 2, R Heuir 2) def Feelers 5[Text Wrapping Break]Renegades 12 (B Frau 4, D McKeough 2, B Johnson 2, S Andreatta 2) def Ball Grabbers 2[Text Wrapping Break]Crocs won on forfeit Women[Text Wrapping Break]Lasers 12 (B Robertson 6, T Horan 3, M Robertson 2) def Can’t Catch 1[Text Wrapping Break]Eathorne’s Princesses 6 (A Cornford 4) def Salty Sirens 1[Text Wrapping Break]First in Physio 11 (L Trindle 5, M Nauqe 3, T Monday 2) def Chick Flicks 1 Under 14[Text Wrapping Break]Red Dogs 2 3 (Logan, Jamie, Emmet) def Broncos 2 (Jake, Kasey)[Text Wrapping Break]Red Dogs 1 6 (Connor Linton 3, Luca Lawry, Archie) def Rockies 2 Contributed with thanks to Peter Knapton CAPTION: Torah Brock in action. Photo supplied
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The Ayr Bowling Club was filled with exciting games and great company for another week, with many locals and travellers giving it their all on the green. On Wednesday, 24 July, social bowls featured three games of triples and one game of pairs, with J. Pirrone, G. Nixon, and W. Coonan the celebrated winners.
On Saturday 27 July, the social bowls winners were Jimmy, Chris, Happy, and Blake, and the day saw the club welcome visiting players to the green who shared their travel stories and enjoyed a bowl or two.
Sunday 28 July, was a proud day for the Ayr Bowling Club’s Ladies Premier Cup players in Townsville. Congratulations to B. Cornford, D. Olsen, H. Jorgenson, and Pam Power, who secured three wins: a +14 victory against Jubilee in round seven, another +14 win against Bowen in round eight, and a +9 triumph against Alligator Creek in round nine. The team showcased fantastic skills throughout the day.
Sunday also featured two Club semi-final championship triples games. The results were:
- J. Pirrone, R. Young, and C. Essex defeated D. Poli, J. McDonald, and M. Milan.
- J. Murray, J. Hall, and M. Parravicini defeated H. Horan (sub), S. Caltabiano, and B. Shepherd.
In the Championship Pairs final, C. Pearce and G. Pearce emerged victorious against J. Grabbi and L. Stidston.
For details on upcoming championship games scheduled for 4 August, please check the club board, and don't forget to register your teams for the mixed competitions by the closing dates posted.
If you're interested in lawn bowls, the Ayr Bowling Club is a welcoming community for players of all levels. Located at 101 Young Street, Ayr, the club offers a friendly and social atmosphere. For more information, contact the club at (07) 4783 1336 or visit their Facebook page at Ayr Bowling Club.
Whether you're an experienced bowler or a beginner, the Ayr Bowling Club is the perfect place to enjoy the sport and meet fellow enthusiasts.
Contributed with thanks to Anthony Bull.
Always buzzing with local and travelling bowlers, the Ayr Bowling Club invites those interested in giving the sport a try to attend their Social Bowls on Wednesdays.
Brandon Bowls Club’s 2024 Premier Cup team consisted of five exceptional and celebrated players: Helen Collins, Colleen Olsen, Lyn Storrie, Darrell Pearce, and Joy Woods. The event, hosted by the Suburban Bowls Club in Townsville, spans over four challenging days, with 11 other teams competing for the prestigious title and the opportunity to host the event in 2025.
After three days of intense competition, the Brandon ladies faced tough opposition, securing 4 wins and 5 losses. In conclusion of the competition, the ladies were determined to finish strong in their last two games and make their mark in this highly competitive tournament.
Contributed with thanks to Lloyd Shepherd.
Representing the Brandon Bowls Club, Helen Collins, Colleen Olsen, Lyn Storrie, Darrell Pearce, and Joy Woods give it their all at the 2024 Premier Cup.
The Roosters A grade team faced a tough battle last Sunday 28 July at Bushland Beach, narrowly losing to the Norths Devils with a score of 32–28. Coach Steve Lansley noted the team's struggle to capitalise on promising opportunities, often rushing to score rather than building up plays.
“Once again we failed to finish off promising moves by being too anxious to score - we are trying to score with every attacking move instead of building up,” said Lansley.
The Norths Devils started strong, quickly taking a 16-0 lead. However, the Roosters fought back, closing the gap to 16-12 by halftime. Unfortunately, poor execution and handling errors in the second half cost them the game. The defence also faltered at times, allowing Norths to make significant gains.
Despite the loss, Coach Lansley praised Lachlan Shepherd for his strong running and defence, and noted that Jye Olsen and Chris Gale made valuable contributions to the team. The Roosters' tries were scored by Nemia Nawave, Hayden Lammon, Kali Nauque, Lachlan Shepherd, and Epi Kikau, with Joel Mason converting four goals.
In other A grade matches, Herbert River defeated Centrals 42–18, Western Lions edged out Brothers 16–14, and Charters Towers and Souths both had byes.
The Roosters Reserves moved up to second place on the ladder after a 40–20 victory over Norths on Sunday. Coach Chris Perry acknowledged the win, though he described it as "sloppy but effective." He emphasised the need for greater dedication and commitment as the team approaches the finals.
Perry highlighted Tubby Hereon and Bradyn Cotter, playing their first games, as standout players, with Tubby earning the players' player award. The team scored tries through Suli (2), Nemia Nawave (2), Jayden Sgarbossa, Braedyn Cotter, and Dylan Doak, who also kicked six goals for a total of 16 points.
In other reserve grade matches, Herbert River defeated Centrals 42–8, Brothers beat Western Lions 36–6, and Souths overcame Bowen 24–8.
The Burdekin Hens did not play last weekend but were awarded two points after Norths forfeited their match. The previous Sunday, Centrals defeated Norths 28-0, with the Norths team suffering several injuries that left them short of players. The Hens are set to return to action this coming weekend against Centrals.
Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes.
The Hens will return to the field this weekend for an action-packed game against Centrals.
Round 3 week 4 – 18/07
Nat I v Bombers at the Queens 8-2
Cougars v Ants at the Anzac 6-4
Crushers v Falcons at the Ayr 8-2
Nat II had the bye 10 points
Round 3 week 5 – 25/07
Crushers v Nat I at the National 6-4
Nat II v Ants at the Anzac 9-1
Cougars v Bombers at the Ayr 8-2
Falcons had the bye 10 points
Points:
Nat II - 149, Crushers - 136, Falcons - 127, Nat I -118, Cougars - 94, Ants - 91, and Bombers 45
Games for Thursday 01/08/24:
Nat II v Falcons at National, Bombers v Crushers at Queens, Cougars v Nat I at Ayr and Ants have the bye
Contributed with thanks to Kerry Davison.
The Burdekin Panthers experienced a weekend of intense football action. Initially scheduled for four games, the Panthers saw the Division One Funkies secure a straightforward win by forfeit against Olympic, while the other three teams faced Estates in away games. They emerged victorious in two matches and narrowly lost one. On Sunday, the Premiers dominated with a 4-0 victory, the Under 23s clinched a 4-3 win, and the Ladies lost 2-3.
Looking ahead, the Panthers have four more games this week. On Friday night, the Division One Funkies will face Estates Navy away, and on Saturday, Sponsors Day, the Premiers, Under 23s, and Ladies will host Saints Eagles Souths at home.
The Ayr Anzac Club Premiers overcame a strong Estates side with a 4-0 victory. Luke Maguire opened the scoring with a penalty, followed by goals from Mason Matthews and Matthew Kolb. Jay Leckenby sealed the win after Estates’ goalkeeper was red-carded.
The Burdekin Tyre Service Under 23s Reserves faced a tough Sunday game in Townsville against ladder leaders Estates. Jhett Jones and Jack Shears scored in the first half, with Cooper Kross adding another after the break. Despite Estates’ fightback, Jones’ second goal clinched a crucial 4-3 victory to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Austral Masonry Funkies secured a win by forfeit from Olympic.
The Ayr Anzac Club Ladies started strong against Estates, with Brielle Astorquia scoring from a Kate Castelanelli cross. Estates quickly equalized and took the lead. Sienna Lago scored to make it 2-2 at halftime, but Estates regained the lead in the second half. Despite numerous chances, the Burdekin Ladies couldn't find the net again, ending in a narrow 2-3 loss.
The Under 13s Panthers faced Warriors 5 on Saturday at Paradise Park, losing 0-4. William Shears stood out with his high work rate. On Sunday, the Panthers faced Saints at home, losing 3-5. Despite the defeat, they displayed good ball movement, with goals from Rohan Kelly, Lincoln Innes, and William Shears. Parker Lawson received special recognition for his goalkeeping efforts.
In the juniors' section, Saturday saw another good week of football with great weather. Teams from Brothers and Northern Beaches travelled from Townsville to play, and some of Burdekin's older teams travelled to Townsville, ensuring a weekend filled with exciting matches and enthusiastic participation from young footballers.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
Contributed with thanks to Lloyd Shepherd.
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.
Both male and female Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads teams travelled to Hughenden last weekend for a memorable tournament.
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!
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.
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.
A toadally awesome weekend - Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads shone in both youth and senior matches last weekend.
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.
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
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!
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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