Polocrosse Carnival: May 28-29

By Rachael Finlayson

OVER the weekend of the May 28 and 29 the local Bunnan Polocrosse Club held their annual carnival at the Rosebrook polocrosse grounds at Muswellbrook.

Over 43 teams of horses and riders were in attendance and competition was played from A Grade down to Under 12.

See gallery below.

The Bunnan club fielded a massive NINE teams, which bodes well for the strength and continuation of the sport in our area.

As if to prove this fact, the A Grade Open final was played between Bunnan 1 and Bunnan 2, which is the first time Bunnan have ever had two teams play against each other in the A Grade final.

In a hugely entertaining show of mateship and skill, Bunnan 1 came out narrowly on top.

The in-form A Grade women’s side again made the final and came up against the consistent Maitland girls, who ran out winners.

The Bunnan Juniors played a very exciting final against Quirindi and were victorious only after a huge come back in the final chukka.

All of the members of the Bunnan Club would like to sincerely thank our sponsors, who made it possible for us to run such a successful competition.

RESULTS FROM BUNNAN:

• Sub Juniors: Jake Wamsley Best No 2
• Juniors: Bunnan winners – Leah Wilson Best No 1, Abbey Cross Best No 2
• C Grade Open: Bunnan 3 runner up – Matt Finlayson Best No 2
• A Women: Bunnan 1 runner up – Sarah Finlayson Best No 3
• A Grade Open: Bunnan 1 winners, Bunnan 2 runner up – Mitch Wamsley Best No 1, Brad Wamsley Best No 2, Stephen Sinderberry Best No 3
• Champion Ladies Australian Stock Horse – Sarah Finlayson and Finos Bosco
• Champion Men’s Australian Stock Horse – Mitch Wamsley and Efficient
• Champion Men’s Horse and Rider Combination – Stephen Sinderberry and Sinders Willow

Each year at the Carnival two very special awards are given out in memory of two past Bunnan members.

• This year the Michael Barwick Memorial Trophy for Best No 2 was awarded to Brad Wamsley.
• The Johnny Lawler Memorial Trophy for Sportsmanship and Horsemanship went to Stephen Sinderberry.

This weekend the troupe of Bunnan members will head to Coolah for the NSW Club Championships hosted by the Cassilis Polocrosse Club.

It is expected to be a huge weekend with around 100 teams nominated to compete.