The NFU Mutual Polocrosse Championship for 2014 was held on the 17th and 18th August at The Pony Club Championships at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire. Twenty five teams from both branches and centres all around the country took part in the hard fought competitions in four classes but ultimately it was the Northern Irish Area teams from Area 17 and the always consistent North Warwickshire branch who lifted the majority of the tiles between them.

It was a very enjoyable weekend, with some very good polocrosse played at all levels and a slight increase in the number of players from last year. As always it was well supported by former Pony Club members and UKPA players (particularly from Celyn Polocrosse Club who are the closest to the event and have strong Pony Club links), who came along to officiate, coach, commentate and umpire and just generally help develop the next generation of polocrosse players in the UK.

Area 17 ensured that North Warwickshire would not have it all their own way in the Open grades as they knocked the North Warwickshire team out in the group stages of the Open Advanced grade before seeing off Ledbury in the Final. They were worthy winners, with good performances throughout the team but in particular Toby Fynn and his horse Santana who stole the show in the number 1 shirt. Ruben Nield of Area 17 won Best Sportsman for the weekend.

North Warwickshire did win the Open Intermediate grade in a hard fought final against the Percy Hunt and then also won the Malden trophy as they overcame Llangienor, a repeat of the wins they achieved last year in these two competitions.

In the Junior division Ledbury had a good weekend as they achieved first and third place, overcoming United Pack in the final and the Percy Hunt in the third/ fourth play off.

In the Brookes Mini final it was again success for Area 17 as they overcame Rockwood Harriers in the final. Maggie Dearnley of Rockwood Harriers won Best Sportswoman for the weekend.

Tantaside won the Loriners Award and accompanying bursary for the most improved branch.

The Pony Club Polocrosse Committee also announced at the event that they plan to hold a home nations international next year, where teams from England, Scotland, Noprthern Ireland and Wales will compete against each other. The exact dates and details are yet to be confirmed but should be agreed in the next few months and made publicly available.

For full results of the competition and the tack and turnout competition click here.