Camooweal’s annual six-a-side cricket competition saw cricketers from township and stations trek from near and far over the Anzac Day weekend to get to the north Queensland town that’s on the border with the NT.
Story Bruce McMahon Photos Debbie Scott
One mob, the Tennant Creek Tarkenators, rolled in from 470km to the west, others from properties either side of the border.
There were high jinks and low sledges as 15 teams took to green-tinged ovals, every player bowling one over and batting for two, losing points each time they got out.
The raucous finals were held under lights, with the ball swinging late in the evening air, as did many batters. Some scampered between wickets, some strolled and others stumbled. Still, there were solid hits into the main oval’s darker boundaries and spectacular catches as Herbertvale’s Hurricanes edged out the Never Have Beens by 10 runs to take the A-grade trophy. The Rockland Rebels prevailed by four runs over the Thorntonia Devils in a tight B-grade shootout.
In A-grade, hotel chef ‘Johnny’ Akash Pariyar was named best batter. Cameron Conlan from Mt Isa Coates Hire was crowned best bowler, stockman Campbell Pavey best all-rounder, and the best catch went to Thorntonia’s Adam Hick.
In B-grade, Alexandria’s apprentice mechanic Paul Drewitt was named best performer, ringer Adrian Dayes from Soudan named best bowler, Jack McLaren from Rockland’s Raiders was best all-rounder and Kiana Finlay, station hand from Morstone, took the best catch.
The ratbag award went to Johnny Tonegato and the $500 best-dressed prize was shared between the Mittiebah Misfits and Camooweal Vikings.
This story excerpt is from Issue #137
Outback Magazine: June/July 2021
