Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A field of 21 eager young golfers braved a chilly morning on Sunday, June 7, to contest the highly anticipated Ayr Juniors Closed Championships for 2026. Despite the cool start, the local talent turned up the heat on the pristine Ayr golf course, delivering exceptional performances across all divisions. Taking out the major honors for the year, Harvey Mauro was crowned the 2026 3-Hole Champion, while Nash Christie secured the 6-Hole Championship title. In the 9-hole division, Oscar Mahoney proved too strong for the competition, claiming the 2026 9-Hole Championship. In the sub-categories, the 3-hole division saw Royce Cohen take home the Nett winner title, with Micah Kemp sinking the longest putt and Zach Marchesini recording the least putts. The 6-hole division was dominated by Nash Fuller, who claimed both the Nett winner title and the least putts accolade. Tyler Smith also found form, winning the nearest the pin prize. In the 9-hole field, Dayne Weston was named the Nett winner. Weston shared the least putts honor with 9-hole champion Oscar Mahoney, who also picked up the nearest the pin award. Organizers deemed the day a massive success, extending their congratulations to all competitors for their sportsmanship and fun-first attitude. The event was proudly supported by local businesses, with the club extending its sincere thanks to Oar and Horan Dentists, alongside Sushi Rocks, for their generous sponsorship of the championship day.
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Kate Casswell’s Home Hill team, with a bit of help from Michelle Jones of Townsville and Joyce Morris from Bowen, played out some tough rounds to come up with the Tier One Intermediate win. Photo credit: Jacob Casha The 2026 Cane Country Cup pickleball team event did not disappoint. The event named after Heather Hewit’s edition of Home Hill’s Back Roads started the day with the courts covered in black snow. How appropriate! 28 teams participated in 4 different divisions with Home Hill connections in every section. Teams travelled from Cape Gloucester to Tully with some staying overnight and enjoying some social play and a meal afterwards. Contributed with thanks to Kate Casswell Black Snow and Big Smashes at 2026 Cane Country Cup In the Advanced Competitive section, Hannah Casswell’s team was pipped at the post by Darren Hutchenson’s team from Townsville picking up second place. In Tier one Intermediate Kate Casswell’s Home Hill team with a bit of help from Michelle Jones of Townsville and Joyce Morris from Bowen played some tough and close rounds to come up with the win. In the Social section, Merv Mohr and Tracey Groom’s teams picked up first and second place respectively. It was refreshing to see and hear the enthusiasm for the sport, with lots of laughs coming from the competitors. Home Hill members put on a fantastic spread of food which will no doubt be remembered long after all the bad shots are forgotten. Thanks go to all the sponsors, donors and especially the volunteers who helped make this event happen. Organiser Kate Casswell said that Pickleball was the real winner with everyone agreeing that it was a great day. Results Advanced Competitive 1st 297 points Pickle me dink Darren Hutchenson Townsville 2nd 253 points Pickle d’Lulu Hannah Casswell Townsville 3rd 231 points Leyton’s Larrikans Townsville Tier 1 Intermediate 1st 235 points In a pickle Kate Casswell Home Hill 2nd 208 points Let’s Get Pickled Rob Dunn Bowen 3rd Tie 207 points Michael Northwood Dink and Dive Home Hill and Faramade Fours dinks and a point Townsville Tier 2 Intermediate 1st 239 points Trish Harley Holey Dinkballs Townsville 2nd 228 points Fantastic Forehand Trish Harley Townsville 3rd 223 points Extra Pickles Susan Kalemba Townsville Social 1st 292 points Green and Pickled Merv Mohr Home Hill 2nd 283 points Sandy Slammers Tracey Groom Home Hill 3rd 275 points Social Dinkers Lori Morris Bowen Fair Play Trophy Social Dinkers Bowen Gloucester Gherkins Cape Gloucester Contributed with thanks to Kate Casswell
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Seniors Not a good weekend for the Burdekin Panthers. The Club had all five senior teams in action winning just two matches. The Premiers and Reserves were at home to League Leaders Brothers with the Premiers losing 0-2 and the Reserves losing 1-2. The Division 1 and Division 2 teams were at away to Wulguru with the Division 1 losing 0-6 however, the Division 2 won 5-0. The Colts away to Saints Eagles South also won 5-0. This week just four teams are in action. On Friday, the Division 1 and Division 2 teams are away to Estates at 8.30.and 6.30. On Saturday the Premiers and Reserves are at home to Riverway JCU at 7.00 and 5.00 with the Mooney Cup kicking off at 4.00. The Colts have the Bye this week. Premiers – Ayr Anzac Club After their previous meeting with Brothers, there was a strong desire within the team to make amends and produce a better performance. The Panthers started the game brightly, controlling possession and dictating much of the play. Despite their dominance, it was Brothers who struck first, scoring against the run of play to take a 1–0 lead. While the Panthers continued to move the ball well and spend long periods in possession, they were unable to convert their control into clear-cut opportunities. The second half followed a similar pattern. The Panthers continued to dominate possession and created a handful of promising chances but couldn’t find the finishing touch. Brothers then doubled their lead from a set piece, making it 2–0 and giving themselves a significant advantage. To the Panthers credit, they continued to press, work hard, and try to force their way back into the contest. However, despite their efforts and control of the ball for large portions of the game, they were unable to find a breakthrough, with the match finishing 2–0 in Brothers’ favour. Reserves – Burdekin Tyre Service Against Brothers it was a case of what should have been for this match. Burdekin was dominant in possession and position for most of the match but could not manage the win. Brothers had three shots on goal for the match and scored twice. Burdekin had sixteen shots and only found the net once. The fact that the Panthers outplayed the top of the table team is pleasing, but they let themselves down by not finishing off our chances and scoring goals. Division 1 – Austral Masonry Two goals down at half time to Wulguru, the Panthers were arguably still in with a chance. However, a third goal shortly after the restart put the Panthers out of the game and Wulguru scored three goals in fifteen minutes towards the end of the half and at the final whistle the Panthers had lost 0-6. Division 2 - RG Customs The Funkies won 5-0 against bottom placed Wulguru in a game Burdekin dominated from start to finish. Jared Giardina and Simon Scuderi scored early goals before Burdekin’s weekly struggles in front of goal continued. After the break Chris Achille netted a double, before Riley Granshaw finished off the rout with a goal of the year contender. Granshaw looks primed for a big season ahead. The Funkies move up into 4th position at the halfway mark of the season. Colts – Astute Against Saints Eagles Souths the Colts started slowly and ,went into half time just 1-0 up with a late goal from Cooper Kross. After half time the Colts woke up and took control of the game, with goals coming from Jhett Jones, Brayden Card and another two goals from Cooper Kross. The game finished with a 5-0 win, and they have a bye this weekend. Masters The Masters were down on numbers but in good conditions featured a re-play of the recent Australia v Mexico friendly. Mexico won again, 4-3 after being 0-3 down! Best players on the night were Gary Roser and Nataniel Ek. The Magic Moment was Riley Granshaw’s header straight at the Red goalkeeper from one meter, saved. 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 Junior soccer was greeted by a chilly start on Saturday morning, but that didn’t stop the action on the field. Burdekin FC hosted home games across all age groups, with teams from Townsville travelling down to take part in a fantastic day of football for our U8–U12 players. Despite the cool conditions, players showed great enthusiasm, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the day. It was wonderful to see so many families supporting from the sidelines and helping create a great atmosphere. We look forward to another exciting week of training and games ahead. The Under15’s were at home to MA Olympic. It was a scoreless match during the first half but the second half saw the Panthers take the lead with a goal by one of their newest players, Levi Cremona with an assist from Cecil Badza Gwarada. Cecil also scored later in the half. MAO got one goal past Connor Griggs, but he had been fantastic throughout the match saving many. The Under 15s won the match 2-1 taking them now to outright leaders on the ladder. National The Matildas had two friendlies against Mexico lined up. In the first on 6th June in Newcastle, they lost 0-1 and they play the second 9th June in Sydney. International In the World Cup department, the Socceroos played another friendly match, against Switzerland, drawing 1-1 in a final warm up game before the World Cup begins. Australia’s first Group D match is against Turkey in Vancouver on the 14th of June. They then play the USA in Seattle on 20th June and Paraguay in San Francisco on 26th June. Quote the of the Week is from film star Raquel Welch after a visit to a Chelsea match. “What they say about footballers being ignorant is rubbish. I spoke to a couple yesterday and they were quite intelligent.”
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The NQ Touch Association will host a North Queensland Touch Football Carnival in Townsville on September 12–13, marking the return of the event after a seven-year break. Divisions will include Men’s and Women’s Open, Mixed Open, Men’s Over 30 and Over 45, Women’s Over 27 and Over 40, and Mixed Over 30. Players wishing to nominate should place their names on the registration sheets located on the Touch canteen noticeboard. Teams will be formed and coaches appointed once sufficient numbers are confirmed. Coutts Commercial Tavern Round 13 results Seniors – Men[Text Wrapping Break] Alliance Pharmacy 11 (C Power 3, S Power 3, J Power 2, J Olsen 2) def Baywatch 5 (T Marshall 2, E Henaway 2).[Text Wrapping Break] Nrgize 2 def His Haas 0.[Text Wrapping Break] Way To Go 8 (B Palmer 5, L Williams 2) def Wires Down 2.[Text Wrapping Break] Burdekin PCYC 8 (G Dau 3) def Touch N Go 3.[Text Wrapping Break] Slush Puppies 8 (D LeBlowitz 4, A Shield 2) def Royal Touch 5 (A Miller 2).[Text Wrapping Break] Renegades 7 (R Petersen 4) def Petrol Heads 2.[Text Wrapping Break] Creampuffs 6 (O Cavanagh 2, L Lampton 2) def Ball Grabbers 3 (B DiBella 2).[Text Wrapping Break] Feelers 6 (D Butler 3) def Blue Murder 4 (R Smith 3). Women[Text Wrapping Break] Lasers 8 (B Lennox 3) def Silly Soft Serves 1.[Text Wrapping Break] First in Physio 10 (S Monday 5, L Trindle 3, M Nauqe 2) def Chick Flicks 4 (A Brown 2).[Text Wrapping Break] Eathorne’s Princesses 3 def Salty Sirens 0. Under 14s[Text Wrapping Break] Rockies 5 (L Leavitt 2) def Broncos 1.[Text Wrapping Break] Baywatch 9 (Julie 3) def Red Dogs 2 2.[Text Wrapping Break] Red Dogs 1 4 (A Sgroi 2) drew Silly Soft Serves 4 (T Chapman 2).[Text Wrapping Break] Chicken Burgers 10 def Cowboys 1. Contributed by Peter Knapton
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The Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads had a fantastic weekend, securing victories across first, second, and third grades. The excitement was palpable as the teams clinched their wins in some nail-biting matches. Congratulations to all the players for their outstanding performance!
Scores:
First Grade: 38 - 31 against North Ward
Second Grade: 28 - 7 against North Ward
Third Grade: 27 - 7 against Brothers
Unfortunately, the Pink Toads had to forfeit due to injuries and illnesses, however, they are gearing up for a strong comeback against Brothers in this week’s home game at Casalegno Fields on Saturday 10 August.
Contributed with thanks to the Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads.
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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