Cirencester bike polo team get its first taste of competitive action

Bike polo is a fast-paced fluid sport, similar to polo but instead of riding horses competitors use bikes to play matches.

The sport, which was once very popular in the 1950s and is now seeing a revival, came to Cirencester last year, when Cirencester Bike Pole team was set up by Rupert Mackenzie-Hill.

And in a tournament at Vigo Rugby Club in Kent, which was organised by Oakenden Bike Polo club to raise the profile of bicycle polo in the UK, the team, went head-to-head against other teams from around Great Britain and Europe.

It was not all plain sailing for the team in the tournament as Rupert broke his collar bone in the third match and although they beat the Germans they lost out in matches against other British teams and a French outfit.

But Rupert, 50, said that that he could take plenty of positives from the team’s performance.

He said: “Although as our very first competition with a very young side, was a huge step forward. ”

“I was the only one who had experience before last season and unfortunately I broke my collarbone, so I had to leave the young side to figure out their tactics as I headed off to hospital.”

He added that he is currently on the look out for new players to the team and that people of all ages are welcome to come along and play what is a very fun sport.

He said: “We have people from 14 to 50 playing, I’m the old git at 50, both boys and girls, my wife plays, and one day our three daughters when they are old enough and it’s quite safe, given we play with a soft ball, and at slow speeds for beginners – I don’t think anyone has ever gone away without enjoying themselves, and primarily it’s huge fun.”

“It is very fast to play because if you get a move that involves four or five people, it can be spectacular.”

For more information on the team, which practices on Mondays at the playing fields in South Cerney, visit the www.cirencesterbikepolo.com website.