A good crowd of Rugby League supporters last Sunday witnessed a good standard of Rugby League played at the annual Home Hill Harvest Festival Town of Origin!
The first Town of Origin in this format was played in 2013 and since then Ayr has won five times to Home Hills four with no games played in 2018 and 2020.
As is customary in these games the type of play was tough and hard with the town heritage at stake. Two former A grade coaches of the roosters, Chris Perry and Kieran Dawes took control of the two teams, and both had simple instructions - do your best and think of the town you are playing for.
Play seesawed for the entire match with one team scoring and then the other. In the end it came down to an attempted conversion from the sideline with the ball heading towards the uprights only to be blown away. That gave the win this year to Home Hill by 24 – 22 now levelling up the annual scoreline.
Coach Kieran Dawes said he thought Jayden Sgarbossa was his best player and judges agreed with Sgarbossa receiving the man of the match. Dawes did say he thought Liam Cannavan, Joel Pennisi and Robert Canteralla also had good games. Dawes said he thought all had a crack and they used a lot of effort and energy. He said he told them to make their tackles and mean it.
Ayr coach Chris Perry said he thought Lachlan Shepherd was his best player by a long shit although John Zaro and Llama Ghee never stopped especially Llama with his defence.
“It was not our best effort but regardless it was a good game and congratulations to Home Hill,” said Perry.
For Home Hill Dom Arrate, Lachlan Kerr, Jayden Sgarbossa and Liam Cannavan scored tries with Don Arrate kicking 4 from 4. For Ayr Jones Munro, Kane Batchelor, Luca Lago and Llama Ghee scored tries with Joel Mason kicking 3 goals.
Contributed with thanks to Brian Carnes.