Old rivals will face off again on fields

OLD rivals will reignite today as Ayr and Home Hill do battle on the sporting fields.

The once thriving clash between the two Burdekin towns, will again return to the grounds of Home Hill State High School in the seventh Town of Origin with the district’s cricket, netball and rugby league players, dividing once again.

While the south of the Burdekin River holds the silverware in the netball, cricket has been an even battle but ti will be Home Hill looking to hold onto the accolade.

The Home Hill Devils league side will be coached by Ross Power with Jason Williams stepping up for the Ayr Bears.

Bears player Jeffrey Searle has featured in every Town of Origin and will take the field today.

“It’s a community event just to help out,” he said.

Devils’ Mitchell Guy said while there was plans to keep the games social “it always ends up being a serious match”. The event is part of the Home Hill Harvest Festival and was brought about by a former volunteer.

Vice-president Mark Vass said the idea celebrated a time when the Burdekin held its own sporting fixtures, rather than being a part of the Townsville competitions.

“It was back when everyone was playing football,” he said.

“It’s just another event we are just trying to get something for Home Hill.”

Mr Vass said while the tug of war between Home Hill and Ayr was not as great as what it had been, Town of Origin reignited it.

“(It’s good) just good to reignite the old rivalry for the one game of the year,” he said.