Close to 960 players are participating in 199 games of rugby league during the 20th anniversary of the iconic Laurie Spina Shield carnival being held on June 26-27 in Townsville.
For the fifth straight year a capacity 64 teams representing much of Queensland as well as interstate entries are competing in the carnival which is held at the Brothers Rugby League Club across eight fields with each team playing a minimum of six matches over the two days.
Competition was fierce but fair on Sunday with all teams hoping to realise a dream of playing in Monday’s grand final, which will be the main curtain-raiser to the Round 16 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the visiting Manly Sea Eagles at 1300SMILES Stadium.
Named after Ingham product and inaugural Cowboys player Laurie Spina, the shield is one of the largest single-age rugby league carnivals in the country.
Another favourite of the weekend will be the Fastest Feet Relay, where eight players from each team compete in a relay race across the 1300SMILES Stadium field at halftime of the Cowboys-Sea Eagles match.