UK Tour - Australia vs UK

After defeating the United Kingdom in the final at the 2007 Polocrosse World Cup, the tour was recognised by most as a chance for the UK to try and prove their brilliance against the World leading champions, of which the 4 Test Matches certainly provided some seriously fast paced and highly skilled action for all spectators and players!

The Australian Open Mixed Team comprised of 4 Women: Jodi Tiver (WA), Suzette Thomas (WA), Kylie Dowling (WA), Sandra Weston (NSW) and 4 Men: Troy Henry - Captain (NSW), Rob Sibley (WA), Hayden Turnball (NSW) ,Will Weston (NSW) along with Ross Sheppard - Coach (Qld), Sandy McTaggart - Manager (WA) and Colin Parkinson - National Umpire (NSW). The contingent left Perth International Airport on Saturday 5th of July with a long journey ahead and a huge task to complete.

After arriving in Gatwick, and escorted to the venue, the Team were lucky enough to be housed by the hosting club, Kent Target, at Risebridge Farm which is where the first 2 Test Matches were to be played. Again many thanks go to the Hillier and Webb families for their massive efforts and contribution to the Australian Teams success.

The Australian Team ready to play before their 1st Test at Risebridge Farm

The UK have never been beaten on their home grounds and having the advantage of being able to ride their own horses and have their home crowd supporting, the UK team was tipped as the favourite. However, the Australian team were ready to take on the challenge. Horses were allocated on the Tuesday and only accessible for a one hour time slot each day which only gave 4 days for Ross (the coach) to match horses to riders and sort sections and combinations.

L-R Suzette Thomas, Sarah Simkin, Jodi Tiver and Sophie Lodder

Australia took a 2-0 test series lead against the UK over the first weekend. On Saturday, Australia pinned the UK to the wall with a 29-15 final score. However, on Sunday the second test proved to be a much harder battle as the UK got to grips with the Australian's game plan and matched them goal for goal throughout. The final result was 23-19 after a particularly fierce final chukka from the Australian Men's sections.

Will Weston with one of many great pickups out the back of the line-up

The UK Women's section had a fabulous weekend beating the Australian Women in both matches. The UK Men had a harder time against the much stronger and more skilful Australian play but they rearranged their section for the second test, transforming their game and holding Australia to a much tighter score on Sunday.

The Australian Team then moved camp on Thursday to Greater Dunmow where the third and fourth tests were being played down the road at the Ashfields Polo and Carriage Club hosted by the Western Phoenix Polocrosse Club.

The Australian and UK Men's chukka waiting for the ball to be thrown in

The third test on Saturday again proved to be full of excitement and hard earned triumph with the Australian Women pulling the team back resulting in a close win with the same score of 23-19. Although this meant that Australia had won the series both teams certainly felt it wasn't over! Some changes to players and horses were made and Australian Team really put their skills and knowledge to work putting a stamp on the game and with both sections really hitting the gas Australia ran out the deserving winners 37-16.

Kylie Dowling with another shot at goals

It was a fabulous tour and many people are to be thanked for contributing toward such a successful event. The Australian Polocrosse reputation has been upheld and we go through undefeated toward a Quadrangular Series in the near future being held in NSW April 2009.

Rob Sibley working the area trying to find a way to goals

The next pinnacle for Polocrosse, the Australian National Championships are being held in Western Australia for the first time in 14 years. Located in Brigadoon (Swan Valley) at the Perth Polocrosse Club Grounds on October 13th - 19th will see the best players in the country compete to become Australian Champions! The Nationals will see Suzette, Jodi and Kylie (WA) take on their Australian team mate Sandra (NSW) in the Women's competition and Hayden and Will pair up again in the NSW Men's Team. They would love to see you all down there supporting this fantastic Australian made sport!