At the Domhealth  Sponsors  tournament NZ held on March 7th & 8th at the national equestrian centre at Taupo  NZ had a challenging win over the visiting Queensland team.

Included in the Queensland team was Andrew Phillips – captain, Katie Barr Stephanie Edwards, Jess Osborne, Sarah Owens, Ryan Copeland, Matthew Johnson and Carlton Preston. The manager was Jodie Hall and the Coach, Alex Hall.

Riding for Domhealth NZ were Sue Gower – Captain, Casey Mullany, Nicky Schrafft, Tracey Swan, Russell Tye – vice captain,  Dean Gower, Shane Hill and Wayne Hundley.

The feature game got underway with all the thrills and excitement as expected.

For NZ, Nicky Schrafft in the ladies team had an absolute blinder and well and truly cemented her place in the team.  Al Cummings comment heard from the side line “she was as smooth as mousse” was true in every sense. When she played in attack in the number 1 position she played with aptitude and skill and when changed to the number 3 position in defence she played with grit and determination. All the NZ men played extremely well as a team. Shane Hill in defence sealed his reputation as being a world class number 3.

Queensland played tough clever polocrosse putting a lot of pressure on the NZ team, and the score of 25 -16 in favour of NZ wasn’t really a true indication of the intensity of the game. Queensland played really well as the majority of their players was under 21years old.

Coach Errol Gloyn commented “the Queenslanders arrived with a very talented team.  How ever, on the day, the NZ team had a little more experience in most positions. Some individual brilliance from the NZ team was the difference on the day.”

The coach from Queensland, Alex Hall said “what a brilliant game and we are pleased with the way our team went. The hospitality from the Kiwis has been brilliant and the whole trip has been absolutely fantastic. Good friendships have been formed. Our captain Andrew Phillips has displayed excellent leadership qualities both on and off the field.”

Queensland won all their other games with convincing wins over King Country Saddlery and Canterbury.

King Country Saddlery upset the apple cart with a surprise win over the Domhealth NZ team with a score of 18 – 17 in extra time and a win also over Canterbury NZ. This weekend was not to be for Canterbury NZ with losses all around.

Best number one – Carlton Preston Queensland
Best number two – Russell Tye NZ
Best number three – Shane Hill NZ.
Best Pony – Steve Watson’s Benje

Scores per game

Other Sponsor Division Games

Domhealth NZ – 17
CanterburyNZ -   8

Queensland - 14
King Country Saddlery – 9

King Country Saddlery -16
CanterburyNZ -12

Domhealth NZ  -17
King Country Saddlery – 18

Queensland17
Canterbury NZ -11

Running concurrently with the Domhealth Sponsors tournament was a club competition consisting of about 24 teams. Putaruru Tirau won the A Grade with Kakatahi finishing runners up and Ashhurst as the plate winners.

The B Grade was a hard fought battle between Tararua and Kakatahi -Tuwharetoa Combined with Kakatahi - Tuwharetoa coming out winners. Putaruru Tirau 3 took out the C Grade with Kakatahi 3 runners up.

In the history of NZ Polocrosse we believe that a first has been realised. Four horses from the same stud - Rick and Andy Collins Stud based near Wanganui -won Best Pony rider combinations. Steve Watsons Benge won the sponsors division, Steve Watsons Piglet ridden by Mitch Anderson won the A Grade, Kenny Butlers Dot won the B Grade and young Katie Wills Nim won the C Grade. The stallion Warrenbri Julio is an Australian Stock Horse and a service fee which is normally $800 plus GST will be auctioned at Wanganui on Friday evening, the 3rd April at the NZ Inter- Association Championships.

Also up for auction is a service fee from Errol Gloyns stallion Ace. He is dual registered with both the Stock Horse and Quarter Horse Society and was sired by an Australian Stock Horse named Acres Destiny. Acres Destiny is the leading sire of Australian Stock Horse Camp drafters. Errol gave a breath taking display of skill showing the relationship that can be achieved between horse and rider. He removed the bridle and put the horse through his paces in the middle of the arena. Left and right turns, spins, starts and stops, all at speed and with amazing control. The service fee is normally $1500 but in this instance has a reserve of $750. Here is a wonderful opportunity to purchase these two service fees at an extremely favourable rate. The proceeds of the auction will be going to the NZ Quadrangular team that are travelling to Australia for the series against South Africa, United Kingdom and hosts Australia April 16th / 19th.

The weekend was a huge success and Domhealth sponsor Ken Wrigley commented “ I get just as much of a thrill out of a C Grade game, as I do out of a high powered skilled game.  My wife Alison and I also enjoy the friendly atmosphere that polocrosse provides. We are thoroughly enjoying our sponsorship of the sport at all levels”.

Behind the scenes Ruth Tye and Anne Mickell worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the event.

Keep an eye on the NZ Polocrosse website as Ann Gilbert will very shortly have her photos available for sale, taken from the sponsors weekend and also other weekends as well.

ends