CHARGE! Horses and riders hit the Ballarat polocrosse fields for the first time yesterday but, while it was a memorable start for spectators at the Australian Polocrosse Nationals, it was a day to forget for the home state.
Victoria was one of the first to take on the field in a masters’ mixed match against NSW, at the same time Queensland and WA clashed in the junior mixed competition on an adjacent pitch. And the Vics’ 7-27 loss to their arch-rival set the tone of the day.
The junior mixed saw NSW beat Victoria 25-6, while the Victorians were pipped at the post by Queensland in the senior mixed (19-18) and under-21 mixed (14-12).
“It was disappointing because it would have been nice to walk away with a win on the first day,” said Vicky Semmens, 34, who played defence for the Victorian senior mixed team.
“We expected the masters mixed to be closer than that. We were fairly happy with our game, and that could have gone either way. And the 21-mixed were leading most of the game and lost it in the last chukka.
“Victoria’s had a tough start but we will regroup.”
Semmens said competitors were very impressed by the championship venue.
“The fields were fantastic. We used to play at Ballarat a lot and they’ve done a terrific job and the venue is first class. We’d love to bring them a Victorian win,” she said.
RESULTS
Senior Mixed: Queensland 19 d Victoria 18; NSW 25 d Tasmania 5
Masters Mixed: NSW 27 d Victoria 7; Queensland 17 d SA 9
Masters Men: NSW 19 d WA 16; Queensland 12 d Victoria 9
Under-21 Mixed: Queensland 14 d Victoria 12; NSW 25 d Tasmania 25
Junior Mixed: Queensland 18 d WA 3; NSW 25 d Victoria 6
Under-12: NSW1 21 d Victoria 5, Queensland 11 d NSW2 4
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
9am: Grand Parade and Official Opening
10am: Junior Open – Victoria v Northern Territory
11am: Masters Men: Victoria v NSW
Noon: Senior Men: NT v NSW
3pm: Under-21 Men: Victoria v NSW
4pm: Senior Men: WA v Queensland