Top local to compete in Kakatahi Polocrosse Carnival

NO HORSE PLAY: Polocrosse action at the McNab Domain last year.PHOTO/FILE

Up to 20 polocrosse club teams from around the country will descend on the McNab Domain in Kaiwhaiki this weekend for the annual Kakatahi Polocrosse Carnival.

The sport which is a combination of the movements of horseback polo and the goal scoring of lacrosse is hosted for summer festivals by several New Zealand clubs.

Teams consist of six players, who must use the same horse throughout except in the case of injury, with the No1 and No2 riders looking to sling the ball through the posts to rack up the points.

Last year's event was hampered by wet weather, although the headline international series between the New Zealand and Australian Under 21 teams was completed.

The year before there were 16 club teams which took part in three grades - A, B, C - which was up two from 2013.

Putaruru-Tirau were the dominant club, as their teams won C grade while finishing runnerup in the other two.

As well as the hosts Kaiwhaiki, clubs are expected from as far south as Kaikoura and up to Auckland, as well as Kaitoke and nearby clubs Taumarunui, Otorohanga and Ashurst.

Top local Tamati Butler, who made the New Zealand Junior Polocrosse squad last summer, will be taking part.

The mixed grades will be chosen based on overall numbers and play in a round robin format.