Twenty teams will again battle for Cape York cricketing glory when they pad up for the 2025 Musgrave Super 8s this Labour Day long weekend. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Their preparation may be somewhat unconventional for a regional cricketing showdown, but the Alkoomie Spotted Turtle Doves will be hoping for a strong showing on one of the remotest fields on the planet this Labour Day long weekend.
The Cooktown men’s and women’s teams – unofficially known for reasons Cape York Weekly did not pry into as the STDs – will be amongst 20 making the trek along the Peninsula Developmental Road on 3-4 May for the 2025 Musgrave Super 8s in what could only be described as super social cricketers vying for bragging rights as Cape York’s best.
STDs spokesman Tony Holmes said Cooktown was sending three teams to the historic Musgrave Roadhouse for the clash, adding some players had been training a little harder than others.
“We’re sending two men’s teams and a female team,” he said.
“I bought a new bat while I was away, but the training, yes, well, we’ve got a plan in place – it mainly involves lifting the elbow at this stage, but the Young Guns team have been doing some training; they go down to the nets once a week or something.”
Mr Holmes described the annual event as a “great family weekend” and said he and his teammates enjoyed the social atmosphere of the competition.
“All our kids are starting to come back for it, because it’s a great country cricket weekend,” he said.
“A lot of our kids grew up going to it, and now a lot of them are coming to play as well.”
All eyes will be looking to the heavens over the next three weeks and roadhouse boss Adam McDowall said his band of curators was hoping to have five pitches operational for the weekend.
“It should be a pretty big weekend,” he said.
“All our rooms are fully booked, and people are calling about camping.
“We put the grader over it (the field), so it’s all flat and should be pretty good; we’ve got one more pitch we’re trying to get in, but we’ll see how it goes, because it’s pretty wet down that end.
“We’re hoping for a fifth pitch to be available.”
When asked what made the weekend so popular year after year, he echoed Mr Holmes’ sentiment about the social aspect of the Super 8s format.
“Nobody’s up here to win sheep stations,” he said.
“Everyone’s up here to have a beer and a laugh, and a swim in the creek afterwards.”
