Sport
23 September, 2025
Tully hosts top league match
THE Tully Tigers hosted two games of rugby league at Tully Showgrounds on 30 August, kicking off with the highly anticipated annual Ken Hamill Cup clash between St Clare’s School Tully and Tully State School.
After both teams drew last year, an epic battle was predicted between the two Tully primary schools in the Ken Hamill Cup curtain raiser game played over two 25-minute halves.
Tully State School put in a dominant first half performance to lead by 20-8 at the break.
St Clare’s posted first points in the second half to reduce the deficit before Tully scored again. Another two tries to St Clare’s put them back in the game.
Tully further extended their lead with two more four-pointers before St Clare’s found the tryline again.
The game ended with a try each to Tully and St Clare’s and at full-time, Tully State School claimed victory by 38 - 28 and lifted the Ken Hamill Cup.
State rugby league action returned to Tully Showgrounds where Tweed Seagulls faced the Townsville Blackhawks in the final regular game of the season and Turn to Me round.
Former NRL players Isaak Ah Mau, Petero Civoniceva and Ipswich Jets chairman, Steve Johnston started the Turn to Me round in 2013 after the tragic loss of several players within the rugby league community.
This initiative aims to remind all players, staff and supporters they are never alone and by turning to a mate, colleague or coach can make all the difference.
For the first time, players in both the Hostplus Cup and BMD Premiership competitions wore blue socks which symbolises the clearing of skies after turbulent times.
Homegrown hero, Jack Campagnolo, who is now part of the Blackhawks team last played in Tully in 2023 for Souths Logan.
In perfect conditions, the 11th-placed Seagulls spoilt the Blackhawks party with a comfortable 26-14 win in Round 23 of the HostPlus Cup.
Despite a second-half surge by Townsville with two late tries, they ran out of time and went down by 12 at full-time.
Townsville try scorers: Dudley Doi two, Matthew Wright one. Goals: Jack Campagnolo one.
Tweed try scorers: Maia Sands two, Malakhi Donovan one, Jacob Kernick one. Goals: Lindon McGrady four and one penalty goal.
Townsville suffered a loss to Norths Devils in the qualifying final in Brisbane and faced Redcliffe Dolphins in the do-or-die home clash.