Polocrosse is a sport which ticks away quietly around Ireland, with little publicity for what we discovered today, is a sensational sport which combines fast and furious riding, great ponies, great riding and a whole lot of fun!

With eight clubs based in just two counties (Munster and Leinster) the Irish are competing internationally as well as having national championships as the sport grows steadily and the members become more and more competitive.

Although still a relatively new sport in the equestrian field in Ireland, after spending the day watching the Tournament Finals in Coolgreaney, County Wicklow, there is no doubt that when word gets out what a great sport this is it will grow in numbers very rapidly.

Polocrosse consists of teams of 6 riders, with three being on the Pitch at a time which it is commonly explained as a cross between Polo and Lacrosse. The game is played with a cane stick which has a racquet head with a loose thread net, used to catch, carry and throw a sponge ball which is approximately 4 inches diameter.

The objective of the game is to score goals by throwing the ball between the goal posts, placed at each end of the Pitch.

The game is played in chukka's which are of 6 minutes duration, with 6 chukka's being a match. Teams consist of 6 riders who ride in 3 chukka's each as only 3 team members are on the field at any time giving ponies and riders a chance to catch their breath.

Differing from Polo which sees each rider staying on the field for the duration of the chukka, requiring them to change ponies, Polocrosse only requires a rider to have one, very fit, pony, making it more accessible to a greater number of competitors financially.

The levels start at Grade D and go through to Grade A with riders gaining points throughout the seasons to upgrade.

The pace of the game is hugely different from Grade D to Grade A and the quote of the day came from Grade C, Carrickmines White player - pictured right - when watching the Grade A's play - "I'm never going to Grade A - I can't even look that fast!" - and truer words could not be spoken - the Grade A's move at an incredible pace.

UCD student Ed Flaherty - pictured left - had a great day, competing in the early tournaments and then staying around to watch the best of the best!

The first of the Tournament matches was the Grade D which saw the Wicklow Bay Warriors doing battle with the Wicklow Bay Gladiators.

The Warriors were the victors of the Tournament where there husband and wife Michael and Anne Kavanagh and Anne's brother Michael Condron.

The Wicklow Warriors wore blue and green shirts and the Gladiators were in red and white shirts - pictured left - everyone is on the move!

Many of the players at this level have not long been riding but they can get right into Polocrosse at the entry level very easily.

In full flight the Gladiators were on their way to their goal posts - pictured below