The final game between the inaugural Town and Country match was the first official occasion that the pitch had been used and the game included Queensland Bulls players and representatives including batsman Sam Heazlett. 

One of the organisers of the day, Allan Abdy, said the day on the pitch began with an eight-a-side invitation competition.

10 teams had entered the first competition of the day with local businesses and organisations including K & R Contracting, Brodie and Co, and the Cloncurry Shire Council all having a go. 

It was based on a point system with 16 overs for each game. Through this it was Spare Parts that won the competition. As the name suggests the team was made up of players from the numbers other teams. 

The inaugural T20 match was won by the Town side on 137 runs to 16 overs. Country had lost with 134 runs and 20 overs. 

Abdy, who was on the Country side, noted that the winning side had an International standard cricketer, Heazlett, batting for them. 

“And we didn’t score enough runs out. It helped them. He (Heazlett) blew us away.” 

However, Townsville cricket Tony Hampson was there to support the Country side. 

Abdy said that the inaugural match and Anzac cricket competition had been PCYC branch manager Sergeant Heidi Rix’s idea. 

Cloncurrry RSL sub-branch secretary Mace Bennett and Abdy then organised the event, and it had been supported by Queensland Cricket on their western Queensland tour. Players including Heazlett, Hampson, two former players of the Australian Cricket Association, and cricket development trainers attended. 

“They really made it extra good,” Abdy said about the event.

“They helped us umpire the games and 30 kids were taught by the development guys. It was awesome.” 

He said that the event may become a traditional event for Cloncurry’s Anzac Day commemorations. 

“We’re keen to make it bigger and better next year.

“Cricket was something they (Anzac soldiers) done on Anzac Day...no matter where they fought. 

“It means a lot for those guys.”