The following is a report from Gianni Ponzi on the Inter Provincials held at Escourt on May 14, 15, 16, 1999.

 Okay folks...I'm back from my trip to Natal, so here we go.
 
I must say the standard of the polocrosse on the last day was awesome. The Under 19's game between the Orange Free State and Mpumalanga set the stage by going into sudden death in the 7th chukka and Mpumalanga coming out the winners there. It was an amazing game to watch, the standard of ball control and horse power was outstanding. These guys are pretty darn good. At the same time on 'B' Field, the Western Province ladies were taking on the Natal Midlands girls.
 
The WP girls being the highest handicapped team of the tournament and being billed the favourites were always going to get a good fight from the girls in green. Boy, did they fight with one chukka to go, Midlands was in the lead by 5 goals and looked as if they were going to win comfortably. To WP's credit they fought back to equalize with 2 minutes to go and from there it was anyones game. Unfortunately for the fourth year running, our girls lost the final by 2 in the end. All credit must go to Midlands though for the spirit they showed in the game. Well done!
 
Then it was the turn of the big boys...or should I say the big boys and one lady. Most of the people I spoke to were unsure of the outcome of the game between Natal Midlands A and Mpumalanga A and it took another sudden death to choose the winners of this years tournament.
 
Sera van Wyk was outstanding in her role as No.1 and showed not only guts and strength, but most of the time also a clean pair of heels to the boys. This girl is good!!! Sera's husband, Charles, also showed his skills and the game see-sawed back and forth with no one willing to give the game up for any reason, creating such excitement and tension in the crowd which I've rarely felt. A tactical switch by Midlands (moving Shawn O'Sullivan to No.3), made the difference though and Midlands ran out the winners 26 - 25.
 
On the WP side ( sorry people I am a WP supporter after all ) things didn't go too well, BUT after looking at the standard set upcountry, I believe we have the players to be up there with the best. What our local players need is more exposure to tournaments like this and the horses to match. On the bright side though, Clifford Rauch Junior, Japie Engelbrecht, Gabby Willers and George Schabort all received their national colours for the upcoming tour against Zimbabwe. Good luck to all of you.

South Africa versus Zimbabwe International

Friday 3rd July, 1998
Zimbabwe Mens A 28 defeated South Africa Mens A 22
Zimbabwe Ladies A 27 defeated South Africa Ladies A 19
 
Saturday 4th July, 1998
South Africa Mens A 27 defeated Zimbabwe Mens A 22
South Africa Ladies A 25 defeated Zimbabwe Ladies A 20
 
Sunday 5th July, 1998
Zimbabwe Mens A 26 defeated South Africa Mens A 25
South Africa Ladies A 23 defeated Zimbabwe Ladies A 20
 
"Soooo as we can see, it was pretty close, I must admit I didn't think it would be, what with my buddy Charl du Plessis missing and all. Buuuuut, the results really impressed me, especially our ladies who I believe most people expected were going to be beaten by far." - Gianni Ponzi