2002 SA Polocrosse Championships

The 2002 state championships were hosted by Naracoorte, over the weekend of April 6th and 7th. Autumn turned on perfect weather to compliment the picturesque setting of the Naracoorte playing fields, and together with a well run program of games made for a weekend worthy of a championship.
 
Teams were down on previous years, but the inclusion of invited Victorian teams meant the standard of play was as high as ever.
 
With limited A grade teams, Saturday's play enabled the finalists to be decided before the end of the day. This provided a field for the sub-juniors to enjoy an instructional chukka or two, as well as enable a "new horse" chukka for players wanting to try out "green" horses.
 
In the A grade, Victorian visiting team Corio was able to stamp its authority and book a place in the finals, while Naracoorte and Smythesdale fought keenly to be a contender. Naracoorte managing to hold off Smythesdale and contest the final, and prevent a South Australian championship being decide between two Victorian teams!
The B Grade was a much closer fought competition, with several games being decided by only a couple of goals, or even a "golden goal" finish. Many teams found themselves waiting on the Sunday morning games to determine whether they would be contesting the finals.
 
Visiting Victorian side Casterton was able to field two B grade teams and took to the South Australian sides in a commanding manner, brushing aside teams from Adelaide, Yorke Peninsula and Naracoorte. Young Scott Allen (Casterton), showed why he's been selected for the Australian Junior team, by displaying the racket skill and horsemanship that has made him a standout player. Similarly, young Sara Leahy (Naracoorte), playing only her second season and already making her mark in B grade, displayed talent of someone more senior in years.
 
The C grade was well contested with many young players showing the determination and keenness that suggests they will be moving up the grades in no time at all. The Yorke Peninsula youngsters showed they were well drilled sections and booked a finals berth by stringing together some good wins. Adelaide was well assisted by Don McDonald playing a number 3, who's encouragement and coaching of his team mates saw them come close to booking a finals berth. The Casterton team looked odds on favourites with their number 2 players (Geordie Tait and Steve Holdsworth) commanding and setting up match-winning play that took them into the final.
 
The Naracoorte Club were holding their third tournament for the year, and are well drilled in providing a great venue and facilities. What's Polocrosse without post match revelry? The bar took a hammering, and after running out of Bundy on the Friday night (those Corio boys sure can put it away!), stocks were bolstered for Saturday night. Thanks must go to the caterers who ensured we had plenty to eat, and special thanks to Jodie-Ann Hoculi the State Secretary and Diana Cameron (Naracoorte) who ensured the tournament was well organised and ran like clockwork. Dave Prior the South Australian State President congratulated all players on a worthy Championship, and handed out trophies to the winning team players.

The Finals

The C Grade final was played out between Yorke Peninsula and Casterton. These two teams had looked on the money all weekend and it was no surprise to see them playoff for the championship. Casterton started well and looked to be opening up a winning break in the first two chukkas, with Sophie Dowsley scoring well at each opportunity. To their credit, Yorke Peninsula pegged back the lead to be within a goal leading into the last chukka. Not wanting this one to slip away, Casterton played a spirited last chukka to take the championship 11 goals to 9. Full credit to the two teams for some entertaining polocrosse throughout the weekend.
 
The B grade final saw the Naracoorte team up against the Casterton 1 team. Casterton came out firing with Ed Carmichael finding the goals to open up a decisive break over Naracoorte. A reshuffle in the section saw Naracoorte peg back the lead mid way through the game, but a spirited final two chukkas saw Casterton romp away with the championship. Final score was Casterton 19, to Naracoorte 6. The score doesn't reflect the quality of play in the final, with some keenly fought contests. Young Sara Leahy (Naracoorte No 1) riding her first season of B grade had a great contest with Sara Plush (Casterton No 3). Of interest, the Naracoorte team included Ross Clark a stalwart of the Naracoorte club who has 50 years of polocrosse under his belt, as well as young Sara Leahy playing only her second season!
 
The A grade final saw Naracoorte defending South Australian pride to prevent Corio taking the championship over the border. Corio had other ideas, and Boyd Falconer fired off 5 quick goals in the first chukka to lead Naracoorte by 4 at the first change. Naracoorte pegged back this lead through the middle chukkas but their challenge was insufficient as Corio finished the stronger team, winning 19 goals to 11.

South Australian State Championship 2002 Final results

A Grade: Corio 19 defeated Naracoorte 11
 
B Grade: Casterton 19 defeated Naracoorte 6
 
C Grade: Casterton 11 defeated Yorke Peninsula 9

Best Players:

C Grade:
No 1 Sophie Dowsley (Casterton)
No 2 Jess Liddiard (Yorke Peninsula)
No 3 Don McDonald (Adelaide)
 
B Grade:
No 1 Danny Daher (Naracoorte)
No 2 Robert Plush (Casterton)
No 3 Jodie-Ann Hochuli (Adelaide)
 
A Grade:
No 1 Lynda Field (Naracoorte)
No 2 Ricky Henry (Corio)
No 3 Phil Clark (Naracoorte)

Best Horse:

C Grade: Sheree Jolly (Naracoorte) Moot Yang Gunya Muddy
 
B Grade: Diana Cameron (Naracoorte) Haydon Caribou
 
A Grade: Ricky Henry (Corio)
 
Ladies: Diana Cameron (Naracoorte) Haydon Caribou
 
Mens: Drew Gurney (Naracoorte) Thistlehill Glencoe
 
Best Horse/Rider Combination: Ricky Henry (Corio)