UK vs SA U16 Test Matches 2019
At the end of July we welcomed eight South African players, their Coach and Manager to partake in an Under sixteens Test Match series, hosted at Arden Polocrosse Club. The United Kingdom squad was made up of eight
players, seven of whom were obtaining their first ever International cap. UK Team Manager Becky Davies reports….
Sadly the first Test Match on Tuesday was rained off in spectacular style, accompanied by thunder and lightning which made play impossible. With the match rearranged, play commenced on the Wednesday with the UK getting off to a fine lead and showing some absolute class, defying their level of international experience. They retained their lead up until the sixth chukka when the female number one, Tegan Bristow, had a very unfortunate accident which left her unable to play on. I am very pleased to report that Tegan is now back home and on the road to recovery, she was deeply missed by the whole team for the rest of the series and we can’t wait to see her back out playing next year. The first game finished 22-19 to South Africa.
Two Test Matches took place on the Thursday and the teams maintained their high standards of play which was a pleasure to watch. Despite South Africa taking a well deserved overall win, the UK team grew in confidence over the week and kept their heads high, never giving up for a moment. Although they had some horse trouble they all continued to go out and represent their country to the best of their ability, making a lot of people very proud! We are very excited to see what is to come next from this young and very talented group of people.
Both teams enjoyed some social activities around the matches, visiting Jump In, Go Ape, Nando’s, Warwick Castle, Knights of Middle England and Spot On Water Park. Highlights included meeting the Knights of Middle England after their show and watching parent Anna Kish join in at the water park and putting the player’s energy levels to shame!
Results
-
1st – South Africa
-
2nd – United Kingdom
-
Best Female UK Player – Tegan Bristow
-
Best female SA Player – Sydney Viljoen
-
Best Male UK Player – Boy Wilson Fitzgerald
-
Best Male SA Player – Jamin Schuch
-
Best Female UK Horse – Diesel owned by Jason Webb
-
Best Male UK Horse – Banjo owned by Charlie Kish
-
Best Female SA Horse – Little Miller owned by Alice Power
-
Best Male SA Horse – Sabre owned by Boy Wilson Fitzgerald
We would like to thank Arden Polocrosse Club and the Lodders for hosting the Test Matches at their grounds, the team of UK parents who provided catering, the Bristow family for accommodating the SA team, our Horse Co-ordinators Beth Scott, Alice Kish and Hamish Gillanders, the generous people who supplied horses to the pools despite having no connection to the Tour at all, Emma Joslin and Theo Cornforth for goal judging, our sponsors Polocrosse Extreme and Beaudesert Australian Stock Horses UK, the fantastic crowd of helpers and horse walkers and each and every supporter
who came to watch the games!
View the Test Match highlights from FTA Sport – www.ftasport.com