WITH the book, A Short History of the Ayr, Home Hill and Burdekin Rugby Leagues 1916 to 1986, to be launched on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Kalamia Hotel Beer Garden in Ayr, the following is an extract from the book which tells of the 1936 North Queensland B Grade Final, in which the Home Hill representative team was defeated by Eacham by 22-8.
UNTIL 1936, the Country Carnival format was used to deter- mine the North Queensland B grade competition.
Ayr and Home Hill representative teams were fierce rivals in the Country Carnival in Townsville, played on August 22 and 23, 1936. Home Hill secured a berth in the final when they accounted for Ayr, 15 – 8 on Saturday, August 22.
However, the match was shrouded in controversy, as the Ayr players who travelled to Townsville by railmotor were delayed in Giru for several hours, arriving at Townsville at 4pm, which was the time the match was scheduled to be played!
In addition, Ayr took the field without J. Williams, D. Tait and NQ centre, Bob Lynch and were still two players short when Home Hill scored their first try. Home Hill capitalised on the situation and raced to a 13 – 0 lead.
By early in the second half, Ayr had all players on board and hit back. However, Home Hill held on to win 15 – 8.
In the other match, Eacham easily accounted for Herbert River 36 – 2 to see Eacham and Home Hill play for the nival format was used to determine the North Queensland B grade competition.
Ayr and Home Hill representative teams were fierce rivals in the Country Carnival in Townsville, played on August 22 and 23, 1936.
Home Hill secured a berth in the final when they accounted for Ayr, 15 – 8 on Saturday, August 22.
However, the match was shrouded in controversy, as the Ayr players who travelled to Townsville by railmotor were delayed in Giru for several hours, arriving at Townsville at 4pm, which was the time the match was scheduled to be played!
In addition, Ayr took the field without J. Williams, D. Tait and NQ centre, Bob Lynch and were still two players short when Home Hill scored their first try. Home Hill capitalised on the situation and raced to a 13 – 0 lead.
By early in the second half, Ayr had all players on board and hit back. However, Home Hill held on to win 15 – 8.
In the other match, Eacham easily accounted for Herbert River 36 – 2 to see Eacham and Home Hill play for the 1936 B grade final.
Home Hill started at a cracking pace when lock forward, Jim Oats scored for Home Hill to take a 3 – 0 lead.
No sooner had Home Hill scored when tough front row for- ward, A. Ballinger was injured and had to be replaced.
Midway through the first half, Eacham scored a try which was converted to make the score 5 – 3. Thompson then scored for Eacham while Sonny Glanville scored for Home Hill which saw both teams locked at the break.
However, Eacham returned in the second half with two tries that saw their lead stretch to 14 – 8. With ten minutes to play, Eacham scored another try, which was converted to see the score 19 – 8 and the match out of reach for Home Hill. When Eacham crossed for another try the score had blown out to 22–8.
Eacham had secured their second Wilson Cup and the NQ B grade premiership.
Best player awards for the Grand Final were presented to Bert Steele for Eacham and Jim Watson for Home Hill.
The Heatley Blazer for the outstanding player of the carnival was awarded to Ayr hooker, Jack Clive.