Killarney Polocrosse Club’s Annual Carnival Attracts Teams from as Far Away as Northern Territory

The sound of thundering hooves echoed around the rolling foothills of Killarney on the weekend as competitors from all over Queensland, down into New South Wales and from far away as Litchfield in the Northern Territory took to the field to battle for club pride at the town’s annual Polocrosse carnival.

Despite the cool change that descended on Killarney over the weekend, almost 300 riders and their horses plus their support teams made the trek to small rural town. The annual event is good for the economy as visitors spend money with local business’s.

In all, 24 senior teams, 4 junior teams and 8 sub junior players, braved the chill to showcase the great racquet and riding skills of this true Australian made sport.

The A grade final, which created much excitement along the sidelines, was fiercely contested by Gold Coast 1 and Tansey 2, after an upset in the semi final saw the second Tansey side beat Tansey 1 to make it to the decider. The action packed final started out goal for goal in nail biting match for spectators but Gold Coast showed their strength this weekend to end the 6 x 6 minute chukkas up by 10 points. The final score was 21 to 11.

Gold Coast’s John Franklin, who last week played for Queensland in the Barastoc Interstate Series, was named as Best Horse and Rider in A Grade.

Gold Coast Polocrosse Club also fared well in other grades, coming runners up in B Grade behind a strong Litchfield side and winning E Grade against Cunningham 5. Following on from a strong win in B Grade Juniors last weekend at Warwick, the Gold Coast Junior side stepped it up to win the A Grade Juniors over the weekend. Best Horse and Rider for the Juniors went to Annie Brosnan for the second weekend in a row.

Host club Killarney didn’t place in the competition this year but the Encouragement (Patrons Trophy) was awarded to Killarney player Abby Dempsey. Full results below.

Killarney Polocrosse Club’s Public Relations Officer Joyce McIntosh said the weekend ran smoothly thanks to the hard work of a group of dedicated volunteers. She also thanked all the sponsors who made the carnival possible as well as the competitors and their families and friends who supported the carnival.

In 3 weeks’ time (2 and 3 June), the polocrosse action in South East Queensland will be hosted by Lockyer Valley Polocrosse Club.

Killarney Polocrosse Carnival Results
12 - 13 May 2018

A Grade Competition
Winner Gold Coast 1
Runner-up Tansey 2
Beaten Team Warwick 2
Best Horse and Rider John Franklin (Gold Coast)

B Grade Competition
Winner Litchfield
Runner-up Gold Coast 2
Best Horse and Rider Brian Davidge (Litchfield)

C Grade Competition
Winner Warwick 4
Runner-up Warwick 3
Best Horse and Rider Bridget Shepherd (Warwick)

D Grade Competition
Winner Stanley Rivers 1
Runner-up Cunningham 3
Best Horse and Rider Kathryn Forster (Cunningham)

E Grade Competition
Winner Gold Coast 5
Runner-up Cunningham 5
Best Horse and Rider Connor Feltham (Cunningham)

A Grade Junior Competition
Winner Gold Coast (Jnr)
Runner-up Stanley Rivers (Jnr)
Best Horse and Rider Annie Brosnan (Gold Coast)

Encouragement Trophy
(Patrons Trophy) Abby Dempsey (Killarney)