On August 19th the New Zealand Ladies Polocrosse Development Squad and Management assembled at Auckland airport to travel to Warwick, Queensland to compete for the Cooper Shield. This sheild is played for between a New Zealand and Queensland Polocrosse team at any level.
The team consisted of a mix of experienced and inexperienced players – Sue Gower (capt), Laura Dempster, Olivia Gloyn, Savannah Larsen-Church, Jemma Murray, Beth Peaker, Tara Power, and Nicky Schrafft. Coach Bruce Hundley, Manager Anne Mickell, and President Alastair Cumming completed the party.
Players were introduced to their pool of horses on Friday morning but because of the heavy rain they were unable to give the horses a decent run. The rain continued for most of the day and a decision was not made until 3 pm as to whether they would play that night or night. However, the clouds lifted and it was decided that the game would go ahead, the first game got underway at 6:00pm. The team consisted of Sue Gower, Nicky Schrafft, Laura Dempster, Jemma Murray, Beth Peaker, Savanah Larsen-Church and Olivia Gloyn. Queensland got away to a flying start winning the 1st chukka 4 to 1, by the end of the 2nd they were up 7 to 5 and stayed in the lead to the final whistle. Final score 19 to 15.
The 2nd game in the series was played on Saturday afternoon. Tara Power was brought into the team and Savannah played for the Marlin Coast Mixed team. New Zealand got their noses in front with a 2 all draw in the 1st chukka, 6 to 1 in the 2nd, 4 to 1 in the 3rd, 2 – 0 in the 4th, 3 to 1 in the 5th and 0 to 4 in the 6th. Final score 17 to 9 to New Zealand.
This result made for an exciting final game on Sunday as both teams had won 1 game each. The 3rd game Savannah was brought back into the team and Jemma played in the mixed grade. The field was now very heavy, and this was taking its toll on the horses which made for a low scoring game. New Zealand got away to a good start once again with a 2 to 0 in the 1st chukka, and kept in front throughout the game – 1 to 0 in the 2nd, 3 to 2 in the 3rd, 1 to 2 in the 4th, 1 all in the 5th, and 2 to 1 in the 6th – final score 10 – 6 to New Zealand. The girls were jubilant with a very pleasing result for both team and management.
Tara Power received the award for the best rider and pony combination in the New Zealand team.
It was a great weekend with players gaining valuable experience at an international level. We were very pleased to return home with the Cooper Shield to put away until the next time New Zealand meets Queensland on the Polocrosse field. |
