Rugby hosted their late season tournament on the 12th and 13th of September at Onley Grounds. They also picked up the most prizes as they picked up wins in the B grade and the D grade and a couple of the best horse and rider prizes. However, it was once again Kent Target who won the top grade (editor’s note: which may have been named the Upper B for umpiring reasons) of the weekend as they won all their four round robin matches. In second place were Arden, who pushed Kent to golden goal when the two sides met and who, despite losing their opening match to Celyn, beat Welsh Dragons and Cotswold to secure second place. The best horse and rider award in the Upper B went to Kent’s Will Halcrow.

In the B grade Rugby won the day as they overcame the three other teams in the grade and in doing so pushed Welsh Dragons into second spot. Rugby’s Amy Houchuli picked up best horse and rider. Rugby’s Simon Paynter was unable to play after their first match, when a fall caused him to damage his shoulder but Olly Gardener was in standby to fill the space and help the team to their win.

In the C grade it was a win for the Northern Lions as they won all their matches in a hard fought round robin of five teams, despite being the lowest graded team in the grade. Kent Target were second; they were only the third highest graded team suggesting both them and the Lions might see their gradings creep up for next year (editor’s note: or other teams might be downgraded!). Hamish Gillanders and Indy of Northern Lions picked up best horse and rider.

In the D grade Rugby emerged victorious again through the efforts of Nick Johnson, Liz Johnson and Coral Henshaw and then their club mates Charlotte Guerin and Jo Tizzard teamed up with Dom White of Cotswold to get second spot. Jo Tizzard picked up best horse and rider.

The E grade was decided on goal difference but in the end Ledbury won the day, with Bucks Bronco in second place. Peter Alexander of Chiltern picked up best horse and rider.

In the Junior grade it was a mixed team of James Cook, Leila Franzen and Maggie Johnson who lifted the prize, with an Arden section of Boy Wilson-Fitzgerald, Emma Joslin and Tegan Bristow coming second. James Cook picked up best horse and rider.

In the Primary Junior it was a mixed section of Harry Thomason, Jess Alderson and Will Holland who came first. A
Rockwood section of Catlin Heagney, Eve Thomason and Paige Wilson who came second with another mixed section of Tegan Bristow, Alice Power and Harriet Wasdell in third spot. Will Holland won best horse and rider, a good end to his first year of playing polocrosse.

So that is the last of the UK’s two day tournaments for 2015 but Arden have announced one day arena tournaments at Dallas Burston polo ground on the 18th of October, the 8th of November and the 13th of December! We will be there to bring you the highlights of those days and even if you don’t fancy sitting on a horse again till 2016 the UKPA AGM, Ball and Awards dinner are taking place on the 14th of November and ball tickets are now on sale on the UKPA website here! Don’t miss what is always a great night and your chance to have your say on the future of UK polocrosse!