Burdekin Teams Ready for Annual Bowen Tens Showdown

Two teams of Burdekin-based Rugby League players, Burdekin Delta Dolphins and Pacifika Warriors, will take part in the Annual Bowen Tens competition at Denison Park in Bowen this Saturday.

Founded in 2012 to raise money for Cancer Research, the Annual Carnival conducted by the Bowen Junior Rugby League Seagulls attracts teams from all over North Queensland. This year, teams will be coming from as far north as Cardwell to Emu Park and Morambah.

The carnival now supports several local charities, with Ronald McDonald House charities to the fore.

Players who are 18 years of age and over play in teams of 10 a side on the paddock, with 10-minute halves, using the rules of Rugby League except there are five tackles to a set instead of six.

Teams who have participated in the past have generously contributed to the charity cause. Several Burdekin teams have been successful in the past, donating half their winnings to the nominated charity.

There will be several food vans on site catering for the crowd at the games, which begin at 8 am Saturday morning on two fields and finish late Saturday afternoon.

Semi-finals and a final will be played for both men and women. A few seasons back, a women’s competition was added to the day, and this year that competition has attracted six teams.

Abbot Point Operations are the major sponsor of the women’s competition, with R A P Painting and Finishing sponsoring the runners-up. The six women’s teams are Townsville Souths, Bowen Bush Chooks, Morambah Miners, K A S L United, Emu Park, and Runamok of Bowen.

During the afternoon, a relay will be run between teams for a generous prize donated by Tin Cone. There will also be a draw for a lucky team for a prize donated by P L P Property.

The 14 men’s teams taking part include Emu Park, Shute Harbour Shufflers, Morambah Miners, Wests Tigers of Mackay, Cardwell Axeman, Burdekin teams Pacifika Warriors and Burdekin Delta Dolphins, plus Bowen-based teams Runamok, Chargers, Seagulls, 20 Prise Boys, Paradise Panthers, No Name, and Bowen Mudcrabs Rugby Union.

They will be competing for generous prizes from Williamson Transport Services as major sponsor.

The Burdekin Delta Dolphins team is Keon and Morgan Noah, K J Zaro, Josiah and Jermaine McIvor, Sem Tom, Leylan Lampton, Vakais and Tubby Heron, Harrison Lammon, Terry Connors, Joyton McNee, Gregory Daniells, Orlando Navaho, Jayke Rakiki, and Dylan Doak.

The Pacifika Warriors team is Maika at centre and captain, Maliq, Sepo, Joeli, Saki, Gordon, Johnathon, Toni, Nemi, Kelevi, Tala, Ricardo, Corter, Jayden, Kenneth, Braithen, Brendon, and Tom.

Ten of those players have specific positions on the field, but eight can play multiple spots.

Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes

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