The Bunnan Polocrosse Club held its annual carnival on the weekend which was a huge success. The carnival was blessed with good weather (apart from the massive frost on Saturday morning) and attracted 45 teams including the visiting USA Junior team being hosted by the Bunnan Club and also a touring NZ Junior team.

In the A Grade Open division it was the Bunnan 1 team of, Brad Wamsley, Graham Hockings, Jack Halsted, Ricky Mitchell, James Cutler and Andrew Rose who took the honours from Cassilis. Great to see Jack Halsted, who is just out of the junior division play such strong defensive polocrosse in the No. 3 position.

Bunnan were also successful in the D Grade Open competition with Dave Brooks (USA), Jock Miller, Des Hunt, Racheal Finlayson, Sam Pohl (USA) and Sarah Finlayson winning this grade decisively.

The A Grade Womens division was won by Maitland 1, while two Bunnan members, Suzie Rose and Tess Ellis teamed up with Merriwa to win the C Grade Womens.

With the carnival attracting nine junior teams this division had to be divided into two pools. Bunnan 1 took out the A Pool after a nail-biting, one point win over NZ in the semi final and then another cliff hanger in the final against Maitland, which saw Bunnan take control in the last chukka to win 13-10. The Bunnan team was James Forsythe, Grace Halsted, Kristen Hunt, Brandon Parkinson, Jack and Ned O’Neil-Shaw.

In the B Grade Junior Pool the USA team proved too strong and took out this division.

The Sub-junior division that was played in sections saw the Bunnan 1 section of Maddison George, Jodie Cutler and Taylor Miller take out this division and all of the horse prizes.

A new and entertaining division was added to the agenda this year with the running of the L Platers competition. Two teams contested this grade which saw a very enthusiastic Bunnan team, with the odd bit of talent, play an equally enthusiastic Maitland side. With some lively commentary from our dynamic team the two matches provided some great entertainment and saw Bunnan win Saturday’s match 4-2 and Maitland win the game on Sunday 8-7. The Bunnan team was Simon Deery, Christie Malone, Ben Bushby, Jade Smith, Sally Mitchell and David Andrews.

Another first and a treat for the crowd was the exhibition of the Haka on Sunday which was put on just prior to the junior game between NZ and Galloping Gully.

Horse and Player Awards:

A Grade Open – Best No 1 – Ricky Mitchell, Best No 2 – Graham Hockings, Best No 3 – Jack Halsted.

D Grade Open – Best No 1 – Racheal Finlayson, Best No 2 – Jock Miller, Best No 3 – Sarah Finlayson.

Sub-Juniors – Best No1 – Maddison George, Best No 2 – Jodie Cutler, Best No 3 – Taylor Miller.

Best International No 1 – Zach Hulbert (USA)

Best International No 2 – Kyla Hill (NZ)

Best International No 3 – Sara Cifelli (USA)

Champion Men’s Horse and Rider – Ricky Mitchell

Champion Junior Horse and Rider – Ned O’Neil-Shaw and Bridget (adding yet another award to their collection).

Champion Sub-Junior Horse and Rider – Maddison George

This was a very successful carnival for the Bunnan Club which would not have been possible without the generous support of so many local businesses, the Upper Hunter Shire Council and the local community.

To be back on home soil again was fantastic especially as the club celebrates 25 years. Being able to host the carnival in Scone gave the club the opportunity to once again turn on the atmosphere and hospitality the club is famous for.

Cathy Finlayson