GOONDIWINDI recently celebrated the return of its annual Polo Tournament after an 11-year hiatus.
Ten teams took to the field earlier this month for numerous trophies, including the coveted Welltown Challenge Cup.
From the sidelines, icy winds did not stop the loyal crowd from cheering on the teams, as they fought tooth and nail for a win in A, B and C grade matches. Saturday saw round games played, before the finals on Sunday.
Enjoying the social side of the polo on Saturday were Tamara Uebergang, Berwyndale, Miles, Alicia Koppe, Kildonan, Goondiwindi, and Jade Mackay, and Anna Reid, Goondiwindi. Click on this image to see more photos in our extensive online gallery.
A very spirited North Star were pipped at the post in the dying minutes of the A grade Welltown Challenge Cup by a cool Ellerston team, who took victory by just half a goal with the final score 5 to 4 1/2.
The Garangula team from near Canberra took on Quirindi in the B grade, winning convincingly 6 1/2 to 3, while the Goondiwindi Club Cup was taken out by The Downs 2 team against NSW's Tamarang, 5 1/2 - 2.
Some of the local sporting greats were back in town for the tournament including Scone's Jim Gunn, and his sons, rising stars Sam and Angus Gunn.
They played for the Goondiwindi A grade team, alongside Goondiwindi's dynamic Nick Benson, son of the late Jim Benson.
Other fierce competitors still giving the young blokes a run for their money were Peter Grimes and Derek Gilmore playing for the Downs A grade handicapped team, Gerard O'Leary played number 4 for the Downs C grade, Andrew Doyle donned the maroon jersey for Goondiwindi and Robert Doolin travelled up from NSW to play with Tamarang in the C grade.
And some of the young guns of the game, Ellerston's Angus Gilmore, his brother Will Gilmore on the North Star side, and five-goaler Matt Grimes playing for the Downs, made for some fast-paced and highly skilled polo.
North Star A grade player David Coulton also made a comeback to the sport this year, and along with his wife Kim coordinated a flawless weekend of polo competition, as well as non-stop behind the scenes duties before, during and after the carnival.
The level of camaraderie noted between players and teams could only be possible through a sport with the tradition and sophistication that bush polo produces.
2012 GOONDIWINDI POLO TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Welltown Challenge Cup A grade: Ellerston (Angus Gilmore, Gus Boonzaaier, Neil Craig, Guy Kirkpatrick) 5 d North Star (Angus Doolin, David Coulton, Will Gilmore, Simon Doolin) 4.5.
WJ Tompkins trophy B grade: Garangula (Marty Ingham, Angus Scott, Will Keene, Darren Greentree) 6.5 d Quirindi (Mick Hockey, James Hockey, Dick Doolin, Rob Davies) 3.
Goondiwindi Club Cup C grade: Downs-2 (Justin Still, Russell May, Dicko Marchant, Gerard O'Leary) 5.5 d Tamarang (Robert Doolin, Scott Chambers, James Simson, Damian Allport)2.
Walter Gunn trophy A grade team of ponies: Will Gilmore - Tickertape, Daybreak, Blush, Tickle, Innocent.
Mrs WK Gunn trophy champion A grade pony: Will Gilmore - Tickertape.
Bruce White Memorial trophy beaten A grade team: Goondiwindi (Nick Benson, Angus Gunn, Sam Gunn, Jim Gunn) 5 d Downs (Peter Grimes, Mark Adamson, Derek Gilmore, Matt Grimes)1.
Fisher Family trophy B grade team of ponies: Will Gilmore - Kiss, Limelight, Sister.
RJ Doolin shield champion B grade pony - Marty Ingham - Spider.
AB Parker trophy beaten B grade team: North Star-2 (Scott Holcombe, Henry Holcombe, Nick Keyte, Simon Hill) 3 d Goondiwindi-2 (Tom Coulton, Andrew Doyle, Will Gilmore, Andrew Coulton) 2.5.
McPhee-Feez trophy C grade team of ponies: Robert Doolin - Dakar, Sahara, Beatle, Bacall.
JB Elder Memorial trophy champion C grade pony: Richard Marchant - Celeste.
Glasser Memorial trophy in memory of Sean Rowsell novice pony: Guy Kirkpatrick - Desire.
Inaugural Jim Benson Memorial trophy player of tournament: Will Gilmore.
Treweeke trophy most improved player: Andrew Coulton.
