American Under 23 Tour to SA
On Tuesday the 2nd of June 2009 we welcomed the first ever American U23 side to our shores at the Durban international airport, with the 3 boys (Sam Pohl, Quinton Jameson and Kyle Young) and 3 girls (Renne Hicks, Caroline Gardiner and Sarah Cifelli) and their coach and manager John Jameson and Allen Hicks. The group arrived late Tuesday night from their long flight. On the Wednesday we had them in our shop until eventually we managed to drag them out and up to Estcourt, the venue for the first test.
A 'meet and greet' had been organised for the Thursday night where they had our traditional braai for dinner and the teams got the chance to meet each other. The South Africans lined up as follows; ladies Sarah Cawood, Michele Roods, Lauren Stanley and Elri 'the Termiantor' Van de merwe; the boys were Brendon Lischinski, Matthew Pilley, 'Whistling' Wesley Flowers and Damien 'Fluffy' Harris and coach Squaky Whaley and managers Derek and Arina Leschinsky who must be commended for doing such a tremendous job of organising everything, which was as usual top class.
On the Saturday the tension was thick with many of the players from both teams playing in their first ever internationals, which didn't do anything to settle the nerves, and with a 3 o'clock start we saw the first ever U23 American boys and girls line up to do battle against our U23 boys and girls. The final scores ended at 28 - 08 to South Africa, with the Americans battling to get used to our faster style of game and the horses that went with it. The Sunday test saw the Americans with a little help and direction come out with a new game plan and although they still lost they definately showed us they were a team to be reckoned with the final score there was 26 - 14.
The following weekend saw us travelling up to Joburg and the Snowy River venue where the last 2 tests were to take place. During the week, the Americans went to camp up in the Pilansberg where they saw lion and rhino as well as plenty other game so that was a really special treat for them.
The Saturday game started really well for us with the South African girls firing in a 9 goal first chukka leaving the Americans with too much to do and eventually running out and losing the game 32 - 13. The Sunday was an early game and had the American girls come out with an entirely different game plan and although they started slowly again they definately held their own whilst the boys saw Kyle Young really gell nicely with his horse and play a blinder of a game to go with his all round good performance on the tour he ended up winning the golden pony award and our prize for best No.3. The final score there was 24 - 14 and had South Africa take the series 4 - 0. Winner of our Best No1 prize was Damien Harris who as well as captaining his side well played really good polocrosse too and our Best No 2 went to Lauren Stanley who managed to consistently improve herself over the tour our thanks to Squacky for selecting the winners.
Special thanks has to go out to all the parents involved with helping out and ensuring things went well on the tour. The whole American team was absolutely blown away with the reception they had here. You definately helped your kids and your country be displayed in a way we can all be proud of ..... well done.
Other tournament reports are available at www.bombers.co.za/events/polocrosse.
Regards Terrance |
