Warwick polo match, February 2002

From ICCC

It all started bright and early on Sunday morning. Everyone turned up almost exactly on time which was surprising bearing in mind the meet was eight o clock and Paula and Tim were coming. With some breif boat lashing on we were off by 8:30. Paula and Glyn however, turned up together and provided some of the days conversation which, in true attention seeking style, they both enjoyed. It was decided that Hugh wouldn't drive due to his inability to stand. We arrived at Warwick for about 10:45 and washed the boats down (even though I don't think they have ever been outside and actually got dirtier doing this). We all got changed and added a little extra padding to some 'illegal' boats whilst watching the first few games.

The first IC team to play was the girlies. They we up against Bath. This was a bit of a tame game and all of our girls looked a bit unsure of how nasty they could be. Bath were lucky with two not very exciting goals and won 2-0.

The next game was also the girls against Bristol. There was a team discussion before this one with a large amount of emphasis put on playing with a large amount of aggression. After all we are white water paddlers and may not be able to throw the ball but we are not scared of polo players. The girls took this advice in and the next game was much more exciting. After going 1-0 down Ruth scored to finish with a respectable 1-1 draw. Becky also played well keeping the pressure on the opposition.

The third game of any importance was the blokes first. This was against Bath A's which managed to beat us 3-1 with Tim scoring. The goal was scored in the second half which was aparently when we realised that we were playing as a team.

The girlies were next to play against Warwick ladies, or the East Germans as we renamed them. I think our girls were actually scared before they even got onto the pitch and lost this one 5-0. Hell, I was even scared by one of them. This game was also the beginning of the 'pitstops'. The guys dragged the boats onto the side of the pool (girls still in them) and about twenty senconds later returned them with better secured padding, very impressive.

The blokes then went up against the 'Old gits'. Don't let the name fool you, they won our group. We managed a 2-0 defeat against them but they were obviously the better side.

The girls then went for their final game against Birmingham. This game proving the most entertaining of them all. Paula managed a spectacular two handed push to sink one of the oposition which we had to explain to the ref she had to do as she was only little. This incident had nothing to do with her previously gained reputation as scary. She also decided to slyly paddle off with one of the oppositions paddles under the front of her boat. Kathy made sure that the score line wasn't too bad with some good saves in goal. After the girls final game they had managed a respectable 4th out of 5 in the league table and the reputation of being the most aggressive and most flaunting of the rules.

The blokes went in for there final match. This was against Warwick B's. Tim managed to scrounge a carbon fibre boat which ment we actually had one boat to match the other unis and also a sprinter. After a goal from Tim and a huge cheer from the sidelines we went one goal up. The first time we had been in the lead. Warwick scored again drawing level (with significantly less cheer). Then again Glyn scored off a rebounded shot from Asa. We were keeping the pressure on. I think we then got a bit over confident and Warwick put in a goal due to poor defending on our part. Tim then scored again bringing the score to 3-2 to us! Then the final whistle. The white water club from IC had actually won a game.

With that we decided a pint was called for and all the clubs made their way over to the union. A few games of table football, several pints and a boatrace later we were off to be accompanied by Glyn and Paula making slurping noises in the back of the bus.

I would like to finish by saying well played to everyone who did and put in a performance far above my expectations (well the others had all trained for this tournament).