The Burdekin Mixed Touch Football season wrapped up in style last Friday, with finals across seven grades delivering thrills, skill, and plenty of nail-biting moments for the large crowd in attendance.

The A grade final saw Nrgize edge out Alliance Pharmacy 4–3 in a tense contest that swung from end to end, with desperate defence repeatedly halting sweeping attacks. Darian Lampton and Tremayne Horan were named players of the final for Nrgize.

Results Across The Grounds

In B grade, One Touch IT overcame First in Physio 5–4, with Ryan Taylor setting up the decisive try in the closing seconds for Dan Horan. Cooper Cross and Kristy Smith earned players of the final honours.

The C grade clash between Baywatch A and Touch Potatoes went into extra-time after a thrilling 8–8 full-time draw. Baywatch A ultimately scored in the corner, with Angus Watson and Wassie Ghee taking out player awards.

Other highlights included Slush Puppies defeating Renegades 6–3 in D grade, Baywatch B narrowly beating Petrol Heads 8–7 in E grade, and Pink Piggies overcoming Blue Murder 10–7 in F grade, with injured Blue Murder player Dan Walsh impressively scoring four tries.

Season awards recognised top performers, including Caleb Formilan (male best and fairest), Wassie Ghee (female best and fairest), Bruce Johnson as Club Person of the Year, and outstanding referees Riley Dobe, Damian Lampton, and Danny Wilson.

Burdekin Touch President Peter Knapton thanked players, referees, and volunteers for making the season a success, noting, “The Burdekin Touch fields remain the best in North Queensland thanks to the tireless efforts of John and Jono Lewis.” He encouraged players to start organising teams for the 2026 Commercial Tavern Open Touch competition.

The 2025 season finished with a bang, leaving fans and players excited for another year of top-class touch football in the Burdekin.

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Home Hill produced a composed and confident display at Barry Richards Field, securing a 47-run victory over Wests Absolutely Dental in their Second Grade CNQ One Day fixture.

Home Hill posted a competitive 6-160, built on patient partnerships and a late-innings surge. Alexander Romeo anchored the innings with a gritty 43 off 77 balls, absorbing pressure and rotating the strike before falling lbw to Shawn Hague. JD Wilkins starred at the finish, remaining unbeaten on 44 from 52 balls.

In defense, Home Hill’s bowlers executed a disciplined plan to dismiss Wests for 113. JD Wilkins led the attack with 3 wickets from 8 overs, maintaining an economical 4.25. Thomas Cardillo struck early with 2 wickets, followed by another 2 from Al Wilkins in quick succession. Jack Gimson wrapped up the tail with 2 scalps, including a sharp caught-and-bowled to end the innings.

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Home Hill claimed a convincing victory over Northern Beaches in their Third Grade fixture on the weekend, winning by 5 wickets and 96 runs.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Home Hill’s attack was relentless from the outset, restricting Northern Beaches to 6/110 from 30 overs. William McLees set the tone with a fiery opening spell, striking twice in quick succession—one LBW and one clean bowled—to leave the visitors struggling at 2/11. Travis Butler and Laurence Zappa maintained the pressure with a wicket each, while captain Brad Parravicini closed out the innings with two crucial breakthroughs.

Home Hill approached the chase with confidence and control. Despite the early loss of Jaiden Rice, skipper Parravicini steadied the innings with a composed 53 off 53 balls, featuring eight boundaries. He combined superbly with Andrew Wallwork, whose explosive 76 off 54 balls—including 10 fours and 2 sixes—kept the scoring rate comfortably ahead. Daniel Olditch added a brisk 32 off 21 balls* to seal the result, with Home Hill posting 5/206 to complete a dominant performance.

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Top scorers of the day, Andrew Wallwork and Brad Parravicini. Photo supplied

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The batters came out on top this week at the Nutrien Ag. Solutions Cricket Complex in Home Hill, with only five wickets falling across both the "Blue" and "Gold" groups.

In the Blue Group, Kyle Wilkie remained not out on 10 runs, leading the way and earning the McDonalds Sports Award for his composed batting. Tait Parker and Corbett Cross each bowled a maiden over and were the most economical bowlers, while Mazlyn Smith effected a run out.

In the Gold Group, only three bowlers claimed wickets: Rylan Nicholaides (1/11), Ben Watkins (1/15) and Xavier Cross (1/23). Rylan’s dismissal of Oscar Mahoney on 13 runs was a spectacular caught-and-bowled. Oliver Calligaro made a fast 17 not out and contributed to two run outs, assisted by Tyler Schultz on one occasion. Mark Wilkie top-scored with an unbeaten 19 runs, earning the McDonalds Sports Award for the Gold Group.

The “Challengers” game kept spectators entertained, with 117 runs scored and 13 wickets falling. Partnerships included Nicholas Marrinan and Nate Ryder (23 runs), Flynn Sullivan and Jaxon Watkins (20 runs), and Mitchell Young and Noah Tanner (19 runs). Wickets were shared among Hunter, Nahjiyah, Claire, Jack, Doug, Mitchell, Noah, Nicholas, Aria, and Nate. Olivia Patti took home the McDonalds Sports Award for her outstanding bowling and fielding.

Contributed with thanks to Scott Heidke

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Mark and Kyle Wilkie with their McDonald's Sports Awards after exceptional individual batting displays.
Olivia Patti took home the McDonalds Sports Award for her outstanding bowling and fielding.

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The Bendigo Bank Club of Origin returns to Bendigo Bank Park on Saturday, November 29, with former local teams battling for bragging rights, pride and the enduring spirit of the community.

The event promises a day of big hits, hometown heroes, high-energy action, family fun and plenty of unforgettable moments. The four resurrected local clubs are Colts, Hornets, Brothers and Home Hill.

As an added attraction, a ladies match will be played during the afternoon between Ayr and Home Hill.

Play will get underway at 2pm, with a round robin contested between the clubs in games consisting of two fifteen-minute halves.

The Burdekin Rugby League commenced under that name in 1963, with the last club matches played in 1986. The towns of Ayr and Home Hill then entered teams in A grade, reserve, under 19 and under 17 in the Townsville competition. Home Hill, under coach Billy Heron, won the Townsville reserve grade Grand Final in 19—(year incomplete in original text).

Burdekin later competed in the Burdekin Whitsunday competition until 1994, when they entered the Townsville League again as a club team playing in four grades, achieving immediate success with a premiership in under 19.

Between 1963 and 1986, twenty-four A-grade premierships were decided. Brothers claimed the most with eight, followed by Hornets with seven, Home Hill with five, and Colts with four.

The second-grade competition—run variously as reserve grade or juniors depending on the year, with some years not played—was dominated by Colts, who won six premierships. Brothers and Hornets claimed five each, while Home Hill won three.

In the third division, the under 18/17 competition, Colts won eight, Home Hill seven, Hornets four and Brothers two.

Overall, Colts were the most successful club of the era, accumulating 18 premierships, followed by Hornets with 16, and Brothers and Home Hill with 15 each.

Next week’s edition will feature a list of some of the players taking part in this year’s Origin event, including several well-known older names certain to stir up memories for long-time supporters.

Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes

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Burdekin FC are chasing expressions of interest, by Sunday 23 November, for players aged12 and up for their Youths and Women’s teams for the 2026 season. The Club is also looking for those interested in coaching the various Burdekin Panthers teams in the Townsville competitions next season. Expressions of interest also close this Sunday.

Night Soccer

The eighth week of competition and a relatively high scoring night. There were no forfeits, which was a nice change. The twenty games produced seventy two goals and there were two Sin Bins. Top scorers were Nutrien Ag and Ladies team Kicken Goals with eight goals, Chicks & Chooks and 6 TO UR 7 both rattled in five goals. There were seven drawn games and fifteen teams failed to score!

In Men’s Competitive Group, UDS still top the table with twenty points one point ahead of Clare Cutters with Mottin Earthmoving a further point behind in third place.

In Mens A Grade Social 1, DL Lager is in top place followed by Willy Wackers and Boarin n Scorin. In Mens, A Grade Social 2, Oary’s Levellers lead Always Fits and Wires Down.

In Mens B Grade Social 1, Bennetts Old Grumpies are two points clear of Fair Call and Hardly Normal and in Mens B Grade Social 2, BA leads His Haas.

In Ladies A Grade 1, Scoregasms lead Rocky Pond Wonders on goal difference and in Ladies A Grade 2, 6 TO UR 7 is two points clear of DILLIGAF and Body Tune.

In Ladies B Grade 1, Kicken Goals lead Goal Diggers on goal difference and in Ladies B Grade 2, Chicks and Chooks are three points clear of Haven’t a Kahlua and We’ve got the Runs.

Juniors

A big thank you to our junior and youth players and coaches for helping out at McHappy Day on Saturday. Plenty of donations were raised and cars washed for a great cause!

Junior social soccer is into its last few weeks of the term 4 season, how good are the kids going?!!!

National and International

Because it was an International Week there were no A League Men’s games. The League will resume next weekend with current leaders Auckland at home to fourth placed Brisbane Roar. Second placed Sydney FC is at home to Melbourne Victory, and third placed Melbourne City is away to Adelaide.

The A League Women continued playing and after three rounds Brisbane is top of the table despite losing away to Western Sydney. Melbourne City is second on goal difference after beating Central Coast and Sydney FC stays in third place with a win over Perth Glory. At the foot of the table Canberra lost to Adelaide.

The Matildas have two friendlies against New Zealand coming up. The first is on Friday 28 November in Gosford and the second on Friday 2 December in Adelaide. These are warm up games for the Asian Cup which kicks off in March 2026.

The Socceroos played Venezuela in a friendly in Houston on Saturday and in a lack lustre performance lost 0-1. They now meet Colombia in another friendly in New York on Wednesday.

Internationally it was a World Cup Qualifying Week, which meant that there were no premier league fixtures in Europe. England, Italy, Spain , France, Wales and Ireland all won and the games remaining will be played this month as the Draw for the various groups will be made at the beginning of December. The European leagues will resume next weekend.

Thirty countries so far have qualified for the 2026 World Cup and this includes the three host countries, USA, Canada, and Mexico. The competition starts on 11 June and the Final is on 19 July. Forty eight teams will compete in twelve groups of four teams in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The top two teams from the groups plus the best eight third placed teams qualifying for the Round of 32.

Quote of the Week

Is from Ex Liverpool manager – Jurgen Klopp, “Only stupid people are changed by success. Anyone can have a good day, but you have to be able to perform on a bad day.”

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Twenty-seven players turned out for another sultry spring afternoon of bowls, with two games of pairs and two games of triples on the program. The ladies also staged a challenge game of triples.

On Rink 3, Des Chapman and Steve Doig were in sharp touch, defeating Michael Young and Joe Linton.
On Rink 4, the combination of Paul Vass, Trevor Elton and Wayne Newton worked well together to down Bob Young, Dino Poli and Glen “Bones” Berryman.

Rink 5 saw Nev Webb, Ron Smith and Gary Nosworthy outlasting Yogi Bunn, Margaret Chapman and Phil Marsden.

Over on Rink 7, Bob Pickard and Hugh Montgomery enjoyed the better of play against Bruce McCallum and Mick McClosky.

The ladies’ challenge unfolded on Rink 6, where Maureen Marsden, Elaine Young and Mary Poli—today’s winners—triumphed over Betty Webb, Judy Elton and Margaret Linton.

The day’s raffle, a lovely seafood tray, was won by No. 22: Bruce McCallum, while the bottle of wine (No. 51) went to Glen “Bones” Berryman.

Members are reminded of several upcoming events:
Xmas Party: 29 November at 3pm
AGM: 13 December at 10am

Regular activities continue, including Monday morning fitness, Tuesday Trimmers and Funday, and the Wednesday Kraft group. Wednesday night barefoot bowls and the sausage sizzle remain popular, as does Thursday BINGO. The 2.30pm start time for Thursday and Saturday afternoon social bowls has proven a sensible move in the warmer months.

Until next week—good bowling.

Photo and story by Stephen Doig.

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Maureen Marsden, Elaine Young and Mary Poli — the day's winners — after triumphing in the ladies’ challenge.

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Junior golfers from across Queensland descended on Ayr Golf Club on Saturday, the 8th of November  for one of the region’s most anticipated junior tournaments, the 2025 Karrie Webb Junior Masters! With more than 90 competitors travelling from Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Yeppoon, Cairns and North Queensland, the event once again proved to be a standout showcase of emerging golfing talent.

The Burdekin’s own national golf legend Karrie Webb attended across the weekend, much to the excitement of young players who relished the opportunity to compete on a pristine course and meet one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors.

Ayr Golf Club organiser Evelyn Webb and her dedicated team were praised for delivering another successful and highly competitive event.

Many thanks to Evelyn Webb and her team at the Ayr Golf Club on yet another successful and hugely competitive Karrie Webb Junior Masters. Along with Karrie in attendance all weekend, we hope it was a wonderful two days for all,” said Ayr Golf Club’s Laura Mahoney.

“Thank you to all competitors, parents and family’s for travelling to our great little club to play and enjoy some awesome golf.”

The event followed last week’s strong turnout at the October Monthly Medal, where 19 juniors teed up in preparation for the major tournament ahead. With energy high and recent play sharpening their skills, the stage was set for a stellar Masters weekend.

Notable Local Winners
Local players were well represented across the divisions, proudly bringing home several notable results:
3 Holes Boys Nett Champion: Jake Hollingsworth
3 Holes Boys Nett Runner-Up: Gray Perry
6 Holes Boys Nett Champion: Tyler Smith
6 Holes Boys Nett Runner-Up: Fletcher Sgroi
6 Holes Girls Nett Runner-Up: Pia Mauro
9 Holes Boys Nett Champion: Dayne Weston
9 Holes Girls Nett Runner-Up: Evelyn Mahoney
Nearest-the-pin winners included Pia Mauro, Evelyn Mahoney, Jake Hollingsworth, Dayne Weston, Riley Dobe and Amaya Mahoney.

Full Results
3 Holes
Champion Gross: Anthony Avolio
Runner-Up Gross: Arden Leigh
Champion Nett: Jake Hollingsworth
Runner-Up Nett: Gray Perry
Saturday Nett Winner: Jake Hollingsworth
Sunday NTP: Amelia Leigh
Sunday Longest Putt: Jake Hollingsworth

6 Hole Boys
Champion Gross: Axel Strathen
Runner-Up Gross: Darius Perrin
Champion Nett: Tyler Smith
Runner-Up Nett: Fletcher Sgroi
Saturday Nett Winner: Fletcher Sgroi
Saturday NTP: Boston Carus
Sunday NTP: Boston Carus

6 Hole Girls
Champion Gross: Cait Porter
Runner-Up Gross: Jaina Porter
Champion Nett: Grace Veth
Runner-Up Nett: Pia Mauro
Saturday Nett Winner: Grace Veth
Saturday NTP: Pia Mauro
Sunday NTP: Jaina Porter

9 Hole Boys
Champion Gross: Zeik Avery
Runner-Up Gross: Jaxon Strathen
Champion Nett: Dayne Weston
Runner-Up Nett: Colten Ward
Saturday Nett Winner: Dayne Weston
Saturday NTP: Dayne Weston
Sunday NTP: Riley Dobe

9 Hole Girls
Champion Gross: Chorus Andrews
Runner-Up Gross: Holly Howard
Champion Nett: Renee Ward
Runner-Up Nett: Evelyn Mahoney
Saturday Nett Winner: Evelyn Mahoney
Saturday NTP: Renee Ward

18 Hole Boys
Champion Gross: Dallas Douglas — 74 + 76 = 150
Runner-Up Gross: Bailey Ellis — 77 + 75 = 152
Champion Nett: Cody Webster
Runner-Up Nett: Toa Waerea
Saturday Nett Winner: Cody Webster
Saturday NTP #5: Oliver Chappel
Saturday NTP #17: Jim Breen
Sunday NTP #5: Hayden Poole
Sunday NTP #17: Jacob Painter

18 Hole Girls
Champion Gross: Jazarah Kamu — 71 + 72 = 143
Runner-Up Gross: Lily McGuiness — 79 + 69 = 148
Champion Nett: Georgia Holmes
Runner-Up Nett: Mariah Reynolds
Saturday Nett Winner: Georgia Holmes
Saturday NTP #3: Zara Brooks
Saturday NTP #17: Phoebe Moffat
Sunday NTP #17: Amaya Mahoney

With perfect weather, a full field of enthusiastic competitors, and the thrill of having Karrie Webb on course, the 2025 Karrie Webb Junior Masters was a weekend to remember!

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6 Holes Girls Nett Runner-Up & NIP Winner Pia Mauro with Karrie Webb (Photo Supplied)
9 Holes Girls Nett Runner-Up & NIP Winner Evelyn Mahoney with Karrie Webb (Photo Supplied)
9 Holes Boys Nett & NIP Winner Dayne Weston with Karrie Webb (Photo Supplied)
6 Holes Boys Nett Runner-Up & Winner Fletcher Sgroi with Karrie Webb (Photo Supplied)
6 Holes Boys Nett Champion Tyler Smith with Karrie Webb (Photo Supplied)
NIP Winner Amaya Mahoney with Karrie Webb (Photo Supplied)
River Oar, Andi Perry, Hunter Oar, Evelyn Mahoney, and Pia Mauro had a ball on the green (Photo Supplied

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The Burdekin Clay Target Club welcomed 38 shooters to its monthly competition on Sunday, 9th November. As the weather warms, targets are becoming harder to see, adding a new challenge for participants. Congratulations to all the winners, whose accuracy and skill made for a highly competitive day.

The club extended thanks to its sponsors: Peter & Juanita Delle Baite, Michael Parison-Giru Store, and Annette & Gian Vassalini, as well as Lui Populkin for donating meat trays for the raffle. The next event, the Christmas Shoot, will be held on Sunday, 14th December, and shooters are encouraged to come dressed in festive spirit.

The club looks forward to seeing members at the Christmas Shoot for another day of competitive clay target action.

Sharpshooters Hit the Mark

Event Highlights and Winners:
Event 1 – 25 Target Novelty Event, Single Barrel 18m (Sponsored by Peter & Juanita Delle Baite)
AA Grade: 1st Col Edgerton 25/25, 2nd Benji Micallef 24/25
A Grade: 1st Annette Vassalini 24/25, 2nd Bill Gall 26/30
B Grade: 1st John Kinnimonth 22/25, 2nd Sylvia Rossato 21/25
C Grade: 1st Peter Giardino 20/25, 2nd Rob Ness 21/28

Event 2 – 20 Target Single Barrel 15m
AA Grade: 1st Michael Zabala & Joe Caruso 20/20, 3rd Benji Micallef 19/20
A Grade: 1st Larry Archer 20/20, 2nd Annette Vassalini, Tony Robinson, Joe Scalia & Wayne Cislowski 18/20
B Grade: 1st John Kinnimonth & Mick Populin 17/20, 3rd Sylvia Rossato 16/20
C Grade: 1st Peter Giardino 18/20, 2nd Brian Bonanno, Rob Ness, Blake Heffernan & Toni Scott 16/20

Event 3 – 30 Target Burdekin Pointscore Championship 15m (Sponsored by Michael Parison-Giru Shop)
OPEN: 1st Greg Maltby 89/90
AA Grade: 1st Michael Zabala 88/90
A Grade: 1st Greg Maltby 89/90
B Grade: 1st Sylvia Rossato 82/90
C Grade: 1st Toni Scott 80/90

Event 4 – 40 Target Double Barrel Justin Scott Memorial Handicap (Sponsored by Annette & Gian Vassalini)
OPEN: 1st Alf Gangemi 55/57, 2nd Wayne Cislowski 54/57, 3rd Bruce McBow 46/49

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Event 1- 25 Target Novelty Event, Single Barrel 18m
Back Row Sponsor Peter Delle Baite, Benji Micallef, Bill Gall, Sylvia Rossato Rob Ness
Front Row Col Edgerton, Annette Vassalini, John Kinnimonth, Peter Giardino

Event 3- 30 Target Burdekin Pointscore Championship 15m
Greg Maltby, Michael Zabala, Toni Scott, Sylvia Rossato

Event 4-40 Target Double Barrel Justin Scott Memorial Handicap
Back Row- Sponsors Gian & Annette Vassalini, Ron & Helen Scott
Front Row Wayne Cislowski, Alf Gangemi, Bruce McBow

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Night Soccer

The seventh week of competition and not a high scoring night. There were four forfeits, but then, it was Melbourne Cup night. The sixteen games produced sixty one goals and there was just the one Sin Bin. Top scorers were Ladies team Scoregasms with eight goals, Mottin Earthmoving and Always Fits both rattled in five goals and JFV’s Jonty Davis was sin-binned!

In Men’s Competitive Group, UDS top the table with seventeen points one point ahead of Clare Cutters and, despite losing, Mountain View Fresh stay in third place. In Mens Social 1, Willy Wackers beat DL Lager and have moved into top place with fourteen points, one point clear of DL Lager and Oary’s Levellers. In Mens Social 2, Always Fits now lead with fifteen points, three points clear of Jaime’s Boys who are a further two points ahead of Delta Physio.

In Ladies Group 1, Scoregasms with nineteen points lead Young Guns by three points with Body Tune in third place and in Group 2, 6 TO UR 7 with fifteen points lead DILLIGAF by two points with Rocky Pond Wonders in third place.

Juniors

Social soccer on Tuesday afternoons continues with some very good team performances and some players stand out. More importantly the players are really enjoying themselves.

National and International

After the fourth round of the A League, Auckland are still top of the table after defeating Wellington 2-1. Sydney FC are one point behind after beating Macarthur 2-0 and Melbourne City has moved into third place after defeating Victory. Brisbane Roar is now in fourth spot with a 3-0 win at home to Newcastle.

After the second round of the Women’s A league, Brisbane has set the pace with a 3-2 win in Perth. Melbourne Victory is in second place with a 4-0 defeat of Central Coast and Melbourne City is in third place after beating Western Sydney.

The Matildas have two friendlies against New Zealand coming up. The first is on Friday 28 November in Gosford and the second on Friday 2 December in Adelaide. These are warm up games for the Asian Cup which kicks off in March 2026.

The Socceroos have two friendlies coming up in November. They play Venezuela in Houston on 15 November and then meet Colombia in New York four days later.

Another two countries have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Jordan and Uzbekistan have joined the list of qualifiers for the competition which starts on 11 June. The Final is on 19 July. Forty eight teams will compete in twelve groups of four team in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The top two teams from the groups plus the best eight third placed teams qualifying for the Round of 32. And yes, The Socceroos have qualified.

In the EPL, after eleven rounds, Arsenal lead Manchester City by four points despite only managing a 2-2 draw away to Sunderland. Chelsea is now third two points behind, and Sunderland is in fourth place. Liverpool has dropped to eighth place on the same points as ManU! At the foot of the table, it is still looking dire for Wolves but Nottingham Forest and West Ham both won.

In Germany’s Bundesliga after ten nine rounds Bayern is still top despite only drawing away to Union Berlin. They are still six points clear of Leipzig with Dortmund and Stuttgart a further point behind. At the bottom of the league four points separate eight teams with Heidenheim and Mainz struggling with just five points.

In Italy’s Serie A only three of the top teams won. Inter and Roma share the lead two points ahead of AC Milan. Napoli, who lost to Bologna has dropped to fourth place with the same points. Juventus could only draw at home to Torino and stays in sixth place. At the foot of the table only Genoa and Pisa won, and Fiorentina props up the league.

In Spain, after twelve rounds, Real Madrid who could only draw away to Rayo Vallecano now leads Barcelona by three points. Villarreal is third two points behind, and Atletico is in fourth spot. Only Girona of the bottom teams won, and Oviedo and Levante hold up the league.

In France’s Ligue 1 all four top teams won again and after twelve rounds PSG leads Marseille and Lens by two points with Strasbourg a further three points behind in fourth place. At the bottom of the league Metz have won their last three games and Auxerre in last place look to be in trouble.

Worlds Cup Qualifying matches are on this weekend so there will be no European league games.

Quote of the Week

Is from David Moyes manager of Everton. “Did we miss out on a lot of targets? No. Was it disappointing? No.”

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Home Hill’s young cricketers delivered another strong showing at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex, with solid performances across both the Blue and Gold groups.

In the Blue Group, tight bowling set the tone early. Fielders supported well, with run-outs to Mazlyn Smith and Royce Cohen. Batting proved difficult, with Kyle Wilkie the only player to register runs before being bowled by Cohen shortly after hitting a four. Mitchell Patti, Henry Cohen, and Jake Cullen all retired not out.

Cullen produced the standout bowling figures of the match, sending down two maidens and taking 1/0. Wilkie followed with 1/1, while Patti collected 1/5. For his patient batting and economical bowling, Mitchell Patti received the McDonald’s Sports Award.

In the Gold Group, Marshall Parker dominated with a commanding all-round display. Parker struck 31 not out, including four fours and a six, and claimed 2/2 with the ball. Oliver Calligaro added an important 19 runs with three fours to help secure the win.

Bowling contributions also came from Mark Wilkie (1/1), Ben Watkins (1/6), Xavier Cross (1/7) and Rylan Nicholaides (1/9). Parker’s efforts earned him the McDonald’s Sports Award, completing a strong weekend across both junior groups.

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Marshall & Mitchell rec lived awards for their outstanding performances on the day. Photo supplied

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The 2025 Burdekin Small Schools Swimming Carnival brought ten schools to the Ayr Pool on Saturday for a full program of racing and junior water activities.

Airville, Brandon, Clare, Giru, Gumlu, Jarvisfield, Kalamia, Maidavale, Millaroo and Osborne State Schools fielded students aged 9 to 13 in 50-metre and 25-metre freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke events, along with the 50-metre butterfly. Younger students, aged eight and under, spent the day rotating through sponge relays and water-park games.

Giru State School claimed the Overall Average Winner trophy after a consistent showing across all events, while Clare State School earned the Spirit Award for its enthusiasm and strong support from the sidelines.

Continued on page 25

Giru Makes a Splash at 2025 Carnival

Continued from back cover

Age Champions were announced across each division:
• 9 Boys: Thomas (Giru)
• 9 Girls: Milla (Giru)
• 10 Boys: Stirling (Osborne)
• 10 Girls: Yolanda (Jarvisfield)
• 11 Boys: Kobi (Kalamia) & Jacob (Osborne)
• 11 Girls: Jorja (Jarvisfield)
• 12 Boys: Reece (Brandon)
• 12 Girls: Isabella (Giru)

The event ran efficiently, with tight races, steady volunteer support and strong school turnout. Kalamia State School coordinated the tuckshop, which kept swimmers and staff well supplied throughout the day.

The carnival delivered a clear showcase of participation, friendly rivalry and student achievement across the Burdekin’s small schools.

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Photos supplied

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The Ayr Golf Club capped off its junior season with an energetic end-of-year breakup and presentation afternoon, drawing families, new faces and plenty of young golfers to the course. Juniors mixed across the three, six and nine-hole groups, giving players the chance to partner with friends they don’t usually compete alongside.

The day marked the final junior meeting of the year, drawing a close to another successful year for junior golf at the club. The club praised all juniors for a strong season, including those who travelled for inter-club events.

2025 AWARD WINNERS

Monthly Medal Winners
• 3 Holes: Zade Keating
• 6 Holes: Tyler Smith & Pia Mauro
• 9 Holes: Kyle Wilkie
Putting Champions
• 3 Holes: Opie McKeough
• 6 Holes: Evelyn Mahoney
• 9 Holes: Oscar Mahoney
9-Hole Gross Champion
• Oscar Mahoney
9-Hole Nett Champion
• Kyle Wilkie
Most Improved Golfer Overall
• Pia Mauro
Encouragement Award
• Dayne Weston
Tara’s Award for Consistency in Coaching
• Pia Mauro & Maxx Tannock
Most Improved (Rundown)
• Fletcher Sgroi
• Harvey Mauro
• Lyla Land
• Heather Smart

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Young Touch Football players from across the region will converge on Ayr on Saturday, 22 November, when the Burdekin Touch Association hosts a Junior Touch Football Carnival for boys and girls aged 9 to 16 years.

The event will feature a ‘Fast Four’ competition format, played on half-sized fields with four players per side and up to six players allowed per team. While standard Touch rules will apply, each set will be limited to four touches, and matches will run for 10 minutes.

Divisions to be contested include Boys Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16, and Girls Under 10, Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16. Prizemoney will be awarded to the winners of each division.

“The carnival will give the current players in our under 14 competition and the Friday Juniors a chance to learn more about the game of Touch in a competitive environment,” said Burdekin Technical Director Bruce Johnson.

“We expect teams from Townsville and Bowen to also participate,” he added.

Teams can nominate by completing a form available at the Burdekin Touch canteen on Wednesdays and Fridays, or by emailing burdekintouch4807@gmail.com with team details. The nomination fee per team is $20.

For further information, contact Bec Watson (0400 705 205) or Peter Knapton (0437 710 500).

Round 11 Results – Seniors and Under 14 Mixed

Mixed Under 14s
Baywatch 2 6 (Xavia 3) def Red Rippers 2
Silly Soft Serves 8 (O. Ferguson 3, T. Chapman 2) def Baywatch 3 1
Baywatch 1 10 (Matteo 3, Adea 3, Marcus 3) def Mustangs 1

Seniors Mixed Touch
Nrgize 7 (H. Munro 2, D. Lampton 2) def Antiskeptics 5 (Josiah Ballin 2)
Crocs 8 (C. Zaro 2, D. Doak 2) def Alliance Pharmacy 5 (J. Furnell 3, J. Gimson 2)
Nutek Titans 5 (S. O’Rourke 2, J. Olditch 2) def One Touch IT 4 (S. Smith 2)
Petrol Heads 6 (B. Vasta 2, D. Torrisi 2) def Redskins 2
Royal Touch 7 (C. Formilan 3, A. Miller 2) def Baywatch A 6 (E. Henaway 2)
Touch n Tease 7 (R. Siandri 2, H. Lemon 2) def Pink Piggies 4 (J. Dowson 2)
East Ayr 9 (K. Samios 2, N. Lacey 2) def Baywatch B 7 (G. Dau-Mocka 2)
Slush Puppies 6 def Jigsaw 3
First in Physio 11 (T. Marshall 4, L. Rattler 3, M. Noah 2) def Renegades 3 (S. Andreatta 2)
One Touch Wonders 9 (K. Drain 5, L. Dobe 2) def Blue Murder 8 (R. Smith 3, C. McGrath 2)
NIS 6 (D. Arrate 4) def Touch Potatoes 2 (H. Horan 2)

Contributed with thanks to Peter Knapton

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A very successful Burdekin FC Presentation Night was held last Saturday at Populin’s Hall. This completes the 2025 season, and it will not be long before the 2026 season approaches.

Night Soccer

The sixth week of competition and in a high scoring night, the twenty games produced ninety one goals and there were no Sin Bins! Top scorers were Ladies team Body Tune with fifteen goals, Mottin Earthmoving and Young Guns both netted six and Clare Cutters, UDS and Plumb Dingers all rattled in five goals.

In Men’s Competitive Group, UDS top the table with sixteen points one point ahead of Clare Cutters and Mountain View Fresh stay in third place. In Mens Social 1, DL Lager with thirteen points are two points clear of Willy Wackers with Oary’s Levellers in third place. In Mens Social 2, Jaime’s Boys now lead with twelve points from Always Fits on goal difference, five points ahead of Delta Physio and Bennetts Old Grumpies.

In Ladies Group 1, Scoregasms with sixteen points lead Young Guns by one point with Body Tune in third place and in Group 2, 6 TO UR 7 with twelve points lead Rocky Pond Wonders by two points with DILLIGAF in third spot on goal difference.

Juniors

Social soccer on Tuesday afternoons continues, with some good team performances and lots of enjoyment for the kids.

On Sunday, Ken Mitchell from Football Queensland conducted a Foundation of Football Coaches training course for twelve of our junior coaches. This was a highly informative all day session both theoretically and practically. Thanks to our junior FQ academy players for coming down to help our coaches in the afternoon with the practical aspect of the course (a welcome relief for themselves having completed the practical in the morning session!)

National and International

After the third round of the A League, Auckland top the table after defeating Adelaide 2-2. Sydney FC are one point behind after thumping Newcastle 4-1 and Brisbane Roar is in sixth spot with a 0-0 draw at home to Melbourne City.

The Women’s A league kicked off on the weekend with wins for Central Coast, Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets. Melbourne City and Sydney could only manage a draw.

The Matildas have played two friendlies beating Wales 2-1, in Cardiff on 25 October, before losing 0-3 to England last Saturday.

The Socceroos have two friendlies coming up in November. They play Venezuela in Houston on 15 November and then meet Colombia in New York four days later.

The 2026 World Cup starts on 11 June with the Final on 19 July. Forty eight teams will compete in twelve groups of four team in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The top two teams from the groups plus the best eight third placed teams qualifying for the Round of 32. So far twenty eight countries have qualified with Qatar and Saudi Arabis the last teams to make it.

In the EPL, after ten rounds, Arsenal lead Manchester City by six points with Liverpool and Bournemouth a further point behind. At the foot of the table, it is still looking dire for Wolves who have just two points, but West Ham won, and Nottingham Forest managed a draw against ManU.

In Germany’s Bundesliga, the old order has not changed. After nine rounds Bayern still have maximum points and are five points clear of Leipzig. Dortmund is in third place a further two points adrift and Stuttgart drops to fourth spot. At the bottom of the league three points separate eight teams with Heidenheim and Mainz struggling with just five points.

In Spain, after eleven rounds, Real Madrid leads Barcelona by five points and is still unbeaten. Real has thirty points and Barca twenty five. Villarreal is third two points behind, and Atletico is in fourth spot. Girona and Oviedo continue to hold up the league with seven points each.

In Italy’s Serie A four of the top teams won but leaders Napoli could only draw. They lead Inter, AC Milan and Roma by a point. Juventus beat Cremonese and move up to sixth place. At the foot of the table five of the bottom teams lost and Genoa props up the league.

In France’s Ligue 1 all four top teams won and after eleven rounds PSG leads Marseille and Lens by two points with Lille, Monaco and Lyon a further two points behind. At the bottom of the league Metz have won their last two games and has moved off the bottom one point ahead of Auxerre.

Quote of the Week

Is from Roy Keane, Irish and Manchester Utd star and ex-manager of Nottingham Forest. “If you're fully prepared you've got nothing to worry about - it's just a game of football. Aggression is what I do. I go to war. You don't contest football matches in a reasonable state of mind”.

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