100 percent winning record when they overcame United States 24-10 in a semi-final match.
The Zimbabweans had a dream start after accounting for New Zealand, Zambia and champions Australia to finish top in their group.

Their opponents, United States, had finished second in the other pool, which was won by neighbours South Africa, and also included United Kingdom and Ireland.
Zimbabwe will play in the final tomorrow against winners between South Africa and Australia, who were scheduled to meet later yesterday in another semi-final.
The Zimbabwe team comprises Andy Baker who is the captain, Michael Krynauw, Danie Swan and Graham Keith in the men’s side while Audrey Logan, Kelly Redford, Susan Sargeant and Sophie Sargeant make up the women’s side.

For starters, polocrosse is a game played on an outdoor field with players mounted on horseback.
It is a combination of polo and lacrosse. Each rider uses a stick to which is attached a racquet head with a loose, thread net, in which the ball is carried and the objective is to score goals by throwing the ball between your opponent’s goal posts.

A team consists of six players, divided into two sections of three who play alternate chukkas of a maximum of eight minutes each.
Six or eight chukkas compromise a full match. The three players in each section play the position of a number one (attack), number two (centre), or number three (defence).
Zimbabwe beat New Zealand 17-15 in their first game. According to a report from sports marketing and events management company Dominus Sport, “this was a particularly hard fought game, possibly the best of the day as the crowds were kept on the edge of their seats right up to the last chukka!”

Zimbabwe scored the first goal, but New Zealand quickly settled in to the pace of the game to equalise and then pull ahead. For the men it was goal for goal, with some particularly strong play from New Zealand’s Dean Gower and Zimbabwe’s Andy Baker, both in the number one slot, and after two chukkas the score was sitting 5-5. As the game went on it seemed to be goal-for-goal as the Zimbabweans brought out the big throws down the pitch and New Zealand displayed some excellent teamwork. However, during the last few minutes of the final chukka Zimbabwe came out fighting to take the lead and win 17-15, to the howls and cheers of each camp.

Zimbabwe then outplayed the champions Australia with a 21-12 victory in their second game. This was the point at which everything was turned on its head as Australia went down to a ferocious Zimbabwe team after both teams had started off on a winning note.

Zimbabwe were 3-2 up at the end of the opening chukka. In the second chukka the Zimbabwe men came out strong to dominate the play, with Andy Baker becoming a goal machine on Joel Sics’ Chispa.
For possibly the first time in the history of polocrosse Australia didn’t score a goal during the chukka. The Australia ladies were quick to put in the first goal in the third but again Zimbabwe came back fighting and a few mistakes by Australia gave away goals.

Some particularly strong play by Kelly Redford and Sophie Sargeant as the Zimbabwe one and three respectively meant that at the half way point Zimbabwe were seven goals up.
During the final chukkas Australia seemed to be back in the game, with Jodi Tiver as the number one pulling back several goals. However, Zimbabwe were just as quick, matching the Australian ladies goal for goal.

By the final chukka the Zimbabwe supporters were thoroughly fired up and it was truly Andy Baker’s chukka with five goals that sealed Australia’s fate.
It was some thrilling polocrosse from both sides, but from the start Australia were playing catch-up, and this was a strong Zimbabwe side who really wanted – and got – that win.

They then came up against northern neighbours Zambia who are taking part for the first time at the World Cup and won 22-10. According to Dominus Sport the play was fairly even between the two sides, and by the end of the first chukka Zimbabwe were 4-2 up.

In the men’s Zimbabwe had opted to put their goal-scoring machine Andy Baker in as a two, while Zambia kept Murray Evans out front.
This young Zambian team kept the pressure on to win the ball back, but Zimbabwe were not to be contained and with four goals to Zambia’s one they began to stretch out their lead. As the game progressed Zambia began to struggle to keep possession, and the return of Andy Baker as a one mid game meant that the gap in the scores widened all the more. The Zambians started to bring in some big throws and tackles, and these tactics paid off. Zimbabwe were not running away with the game as they had the day before against Australia, and a brilliant final minute for Murray Evans brought the score to 16-8.

Into the final chukkas, and the Zim ladies started to show what they are made of, with an incredible catch from Zimbabwe number one Kelly Redford, to which the crowd shouted their appreciation.
The final men’s chukka saw Zimbabwe decisively finish the game 22-10. They were worthy winners, unbeaten at this pool stage and showing that they are well in contention for this World Cup title.

Zimbabwe are now itching for their first silverware after taking part in all the three events to date. The year 2003 marked a significant milestone in the development of the sport with the staging of the inaugural Polocrosse World Cup at Warwick, Queensland in Australia.

Eight nations gathered (Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Zimbabwe) and the hosts won the event and repeated the feat in 2007. This marked the sport’s most prestigious event to date. Again it was held at Warwick, Queensland, Australia, with the same eight nations from 2003.

Dominus Sports sent a congratulatory message to the Zimbabwe team in the quest for glory.
“Dominus Sport would like to show our support for the Zimbabwe polocrosse team playing in the World Cup in England.
“Our cricketers may not have beaten Australia A this time around but Zimbabwe PoloCrosse players have just thrashed them. We would like to especially show our support for our very own Kelly Redford, flying the flag for Zimbabwe,” said Dominus Sport in a statement.

You Might Also Like

Comments