STELLE ARTOIS DAY 3

Played on Monday 3rd at Eynesbury Polo Club No 1 Ground. For those who may not know, the fields are situated at the new town of Eynesbury, being built on the Western fringe of Melbourne, just off the M8 Western highway. Also only about 20 kms from Werribee. I arrived during the 2nd chukka of the Sandalford v Garangula match so at the start of chukka 3 the score was Garangula 5 Sandalford 4. Umpires Sam Hopkinson and Corin Gibbs. Chukka 3. Imediatly the Garangula no 4 scored to level things at 5 all. There was a stoppage for injury time after the Garangula No 1 sustained an injury but he was able to play on. The next goal was to No3 for Garangula on a lovely grey pony and betweeen the chukka bells some spectacular ball manoeuvering the lenght of the field resulted in another goal to Garangula which finished the chukka at 7-5 to Garangula. Chukka 4. Sandalford went on the defence in front of their goals and made 2 great saves but Garangula were awarded a penalty and another goal was given to Garangula. The game then opened up and was flowing and on the move. Glen Gilmore was next to score for Sandalford. Penalties were awarded to both teams but the score was not changes and at the end of the 4th it was 8-6 to Garangula. Chukka 5. Just after the start Simon Keyte scored of a pass from a long run down the field by Ed Hitcman. After a huge 'NO WAY" appeal from SK to a foul the umpires went to the 3rd man and no foul was called. The umpires almost played the national anthem to tidy up the line up as the natives were getting very restless. A penalty in Sandalfords's favour was given right in front of goal and was scored. 9-8 Garangula. Chukka 6. SimonKeyte converted a penalty from 40yds to make it 10-8. Glen Gilmore had an uncharacteristic "air shot" but was well supported by his team mates over 3 more hits and a goal resulted. 10-9. Everyone was getting VERY busy now with 3 attacks up and down the field in record time with wides the end result. A great pass along the 'mound' side of the field to Simon Keyte who took it all the way to a crowed goal mouth was eventually pu through. 11-9 Garangula. The lineout was won by Garangula and a long, solitary, easy run for Simon Keyte resulted in another goal. This was absolutely stunning to watch. The final score Garangula 12 Sandalford 9. Match 2. Pitchfork v Turtle Island. Between matches the wind became absolutely freezing, the sky black as and very threatening, but rain stayed away. Huge gusts blowing top soil from barren paddocks on the far side of the Werribee river. Really quite difficult playing conditions. Chukka 1. Pitchfork no4 scored the first goal and then at the later part of the chukka Turtle Island were awarded 2 penalties which resulted in 1 scored and 1 wide. The score 1 all. Chukka 2. This was a very difficult chukka with both teams throwing their toys out of the cot and the umpires taking quite a long time to regather them. One of Turtle Island players hit the ball after the whistle was blown and the kids lost it. After that a Turtle Island penalty into the wind was missed and Pitchfork also missed 2 attacks at goal. Greg Keyte eventually scored for Pitchfork off a 'swing and a miss' from Turtle Island. End result 2-1 to Pitchfork. Things were flowing a bit better now. A foul was blown against Pitchfork (Gillon and Greg had HEAPS to say) after a bit of appealing and gesturing. The umpire once again laid the law down. 2-1 Pitchfork. Chukka 3. Turtle Island took the hit in to start the chukka and took the ball to goal only to have the ball twice stopped dangerously in the goal mouth. Then they had some fabulous back up out of some scrappy play and eventually it was goal to Turtle island. 2 all. Chukka 4 started with a penalty in favour of Turtle Island which went wide. A Pitchfork goal from Tim Clarke after two terrific hits from a throw in with such good team work. It was wonderful stuff. 3-2 Pitchfork. A 60yd penalty taken by Turtle Islands Stirling McGregor, on a lovley, fast, black pony, was put through to level score 3 all. This was immediately followed by another penalty again taken by Stirling, back again into the wind, a home run,and Turtle Island take the lead 4-3. They went further into the lead from a long accurate shot by their no 2 allowed their No1 Hamish McLachlan on a grey pony to score right in the goal mouth. 5-3 Turtle Island. Chukka 5. 2 Goals earliy in the chukka bought the score to 5 all. Then Turtle Island scores a field goal and Pitchfork another penalty. 6 all. In the last 30 secs Stirling scored to take Turtle Island up 7-6. Chukka 6. The No3 for Turtle Island, on a nice grey pony, scored a goal in first minute. Unfortunately the pony sustained an injury to it's face and was retired from the game. Pitchfork scored again. Turtle Isand replied with a goal again from Stirling. 9-7 Turtle Island. An immediate Pitchfork reply 9-8. Play was fast and furious at this stage and at the 5min 35seconds Pitchfork's Greg Keyte took a 30yd penalty to score the goal. 9 all. Within seconds an on spot penalty taken by Greg Keyte for Pitchfork, the hit was then pinched by Turtle Island No3 and they scored the final goal. 10-9 Turtle Island.