UKPA Report on the 2001 Season

 The 2001 polocrosse season got off to a very slow start due to the foot and mouth crisis. Luckily though, most clubs had gone ahead and organised their tournaments, hoping that things would settle down. Although some of our members were not allowed to move their horses for the full duration of the season, we had an excellent turn out at all tournaments.
 
The Inter Regional tournament was held in the North this year, at Doncaster racecourse. Due to problems with horses etc, a few teams had to borrow players from other regions and swap and change between teams. The Northern region won the championships this year after winning the Open, Juniors and the Primary Juniors, with the Midland coming second and South third. The venue was superb and the weather…well, typically English!
 
During the months of July and August we had a men's American team tour around England. They played in 3 polocrosse weekends and actively took part in Midland camp. They played against the U.K. U21's and the U.K. Men's. Both U.K. teams won but great play from the Americans.
 
The Nationals were held in the East, at Liscombe Park. This again was a great venue and the weather stayed good all weekend!. There was a brilliant turn out in all divisions, with some outstanding play from novice all the way through to open.
 
Primary Juniors
1. West Country
2. Pegasus Croome
3. Pennine
 
Best 1. Agnes Duhig
Best 2. Dominic Northmore
Best 2. Beth Peaker
Best Pony: Agnes Duhig's
 
Juniors
1. Pegasus Croome
2. Pennine (A)
3. Pennine (B)
 
Best 1. Alex Bull
Best 2. Charlie Wright Roberts
Best 3. Imogen Johnson
Best Pony: Alex Bull's - 'Vincent'
 
'D' Division
1. Pegasus/Pennine
2. Celyn
3. Kent Target
 
Best 1. Marie Tomos
Best 2. Mark Sadler
Best 3 Oliver Beckerlegge
Best Pony: Mark Sadlers's - 'Hale'
 
'C' Division
1. Liscombe
2. Kent Target
3. West Country
 
Best 1. Osha Williams
Best 2.Vicki Borland
Best 3. Richard Chapple
Best Pony: Osha William's - 'Charlie'
 
'B' Division
1. Pennine/Celyn
2. Silver Ley
3. Centaur/Arden
 
Best 1. Tom Simkin
Best 2. Ruth Simkin
Best 3. Debbie Harris
Best Pony: Debbie Harris' - 'Trapper'
 
The 'A' Division final saw Kent Target and Liscombe line up on the field. There was plenty of fuel in this game as earlier on in the season Liscombe had beaten Kent target by one goal.

Kent Target came out the winners by a 'fair few goals', leaving the results to be:
 
'A' Division
1. Kent Target
2. Liscombe
3. Pennine
 
Best 1. Jason Webb (Aus)
Best 2. Lizzie Wright Roberts
Best 3. Kenny Grimmond (Aus)
Best Pony: 'Little Miss Muffet'
 
The last major tournament of the season was the 'Presidents' tournament, with the specific aim to help select the final U.K teams. After the Nationals, a list was sent to everyone who had been short-listed. The selectors then got together, and picked teams to play at the Presidents. Through out all the divisions, the UK ladies played against ladies and the UK men against men. The selectors also picked an international team (made from international players over here for the season) for extra competition.
 
We do not have results of the teams, but in the open division the following awards were presented:

We finished the season off with our annual polocrosse ball, which was held in the midlands. The following presentations were made:

Best horse: 'Dippy' (Penny Beaumont)
 
Laura Millington Trophy: Guy Robertson
(U21's player who has promoted and developed the sport through pony club)
 
Minter Strover Trophy: Sophie Lodder
(U16's player who is an ambassador to, sport, club and association)
 
Chapple Shield: Sarah Barrand
(Most improved player)
 
Charles Mason Trophy: Sue Dryden
(Non player, non exec member who has contributed most to polocrosse)
 
The Presidents Trophy: Dave King and Martin Brookes
 
The U.K.P.A have accepted an invitation for the U21's to tour to South Africa in July/August, so for some, the season has already started with training. For the rest of us, we are still suffering from withdrawal symptoms…!!