“I got a text from a man in Moss Vale saying he didn’t know how a country town could run a carnival like that,” Young Cherryatrics Masters Rugby League Carnival organiser Geoff Hill said yesterday.
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These words, for Geoff and the Cherryatrics, pretty much summed up their weekend on October 18 and 19.
Geoff’s next words to sum-up his weekend were “I’m sore!”
The annual carnival, now in its sixth year, attracted 20 teams - one called the Barbarian team, consisting of a combination of players from the remaining 19 sides - and 303 players.
Six teams from the Young Shire - two from Murringo and one each from Koorawatha, the Young Yabbies, Monteagle and the Cherryatrics - were among those who played.
Geoff said he counted 345 people in total, coaches and managers included, at their dinner at the Young Services Club on Saturday night. At which they gave away $5500 in prize money.
“I’ve heard everything positive from the weekend,” he said.
“They just loved it.”
Teams from around the region, south coast and ACT took to the field in a friendly competition over both days, with games ceasing at 10.20am on Sunday to make way for the first ever ARL Masters City versus Masters Country.
This match was what Geoff described as a “stand alone” match that had all 19 teams on the sidelines watching the action that unfolded.
Sides nominated up to three players for the anticipated game that gave local Paul Smith the tough task of selecting the squads.
Geoff himself and fellow Young Shire players Steve Woolford and Ian Close made the cut for the Country team while local Ray Spring was named coach and Paul Aston manager.
“Paul did a terrific job... all games were played in great spirit,” Geoff said. “It was a 2-1 victory to City but it was announced nil-all as all games are.”
Following the weekend, Geoff made his annual rounds to talk to each local and visiting team for feedback and to make sure there were no problems.
“Everyone was very happy... we also bounce ideas off one another about what we could do next time,” he said.
One highlight was the great condition of Keith Cullen Oval.
“Everyone said the grounds were great... nice and soft - that’s all down to the council guys,” Geoff said.
He also said his highlight was the amount of people who were involved this year and how much the carnival has grown.
The Cherryatrics have given out $45,000 in total prize money and donations over the last six carnivals.
They also invited the three cherry queen entrants to man the gate this year, pocketing $1980 in gold coin donations for their three charities.
