SA win second Polocrosse WC match
South Africa & Australia the Standouts on Day Two of the Polocrosse World Cup at Durban Shongweni Club
South Africa and Australia made their mark on day two of the 2015 Polocrosse World Cup at the Durban Shongweni Club on Saturday 4 July.
The clash of the day saw a super slick Australian team stamp their authority on the game against Ireland. Australia proved to be the best team on the field from the opening minute but Ireland deserved more credit than what the scoreboard showed (30 goals to 13); for a small Polocrosse nation they played incredibly well.
The Zambia versus United States of America match-up proved to be an extremely hard fought game. It was only right towards the end that Zambia got the upper hand and continued the form that they showed on day one (Friday 3 July) to deny an extremely talented USA team victory on American Independence Day. Zambia finished with 22 goals to USA’s 16 goals.
The Zimbabwean team was the favourites going into today, but after a disappointing loss yesterday the United Kingdom team appeared as a structured unit. In the fifth and sixth chukkas the UK side broke away to pull off a well-deserved win over Zimbabwe. The UK finished with 17 goals to Zimbabwe’s 11 goals.
The South Africa vs New Zealand showdown proved to be the match of the day. New Zealand had posted a brilliant win on day one whereas South Africa had lost against Zambia by one goal.
The Protea’s came out firing on all cylinders showing their free playing Polocrosse style that they are world famous for. It all came together in the sixth chukka for the Proteas, who won by 20 goals to a strong New Zealand side. South Africa finished with 26 goals to New Zealand’s 6 goals.
“I feel speechless! After yesterday’s surprise loss the South African team promised that they would come out swinging and they delivered more than they promised. It was a treat to see Travis Timm play the game of his life today in perfect synergy with Graham MacLarty. The ladies started with a new combination and the women played with flair and the talent that supporters have come to expect. Celecia Jacobs absorbed the pressure and converted it to the most brilliant scoring of points that I have seen in a long time,” commented Andre Truter, President: Polocrosse Association of South Africa.
The eight international teams have been split into two pools according to their world ranking. The South African Polocrosse team went into the tournament as number one in the world with Zimbabwe close behind in 2nd place. The rest of the countries are placed as follows; Australia in 3rd, then following USA, New Zealand, England, Ireland and Zambia coming in at 8th in the world rankings.
The pools are split as follows; pool A includes South Africa, USA, New Zealand and Zambia and pool B is made up of Zimbabwe, Australia, England and Ireland. The teams will compete within each pool, with the top scoring teams from each advancing to the semi-finals.
The Polocrosse World Cup continues on Sunday (5 July) at 09h00 with Zambia vs New Zealand, followed by Ireland vs United Kingdom at 10h30. Australia takes on Zimbabwe at midday with the much-anticipated South Africa vs USA showdown at 14h00.
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Picture - Shannon Gilson
Polocrosse World Cup Results
Saturday 4 July 2015
Australia – 30
Ireland – 13
Zambia – 22
USA - 16
United Kingdom - 17
Zimbabwe – 11
South Africa – 26
New Zealand - 6
2015 Polocrosse World Cup Schedule:
DAY 3 Sunday 5th July
09h00 Zambia vs New Zealand
10h30 Ireland vs United Kingdom
12h00 Australia vs Zimbabwe
14h00 South Africa vs USA
DAY 4 Friday 10th July
09h00 Fourth Pool 1 vs Third Pool 2
10h30 Third Pool 1 vs Fouth Pool 2
12h00 Second Pool 1 vs First Pool 2
14h00 First Pool 1 vs Second Pool 2
DAY 5 Saturday 11th July
10h00 Play for 7th and 8th place
14h00 Play for 5th and 6th place
DAY 6 Sunday 12th July
10h00 Play for 3rd and 4th place
14h00 Finals