by Bruce Kingsley
Mississippi Mills places second at interprovincial bicycle polo tournament.
Against teams from Montreal and Ottawa the Mississippi Mills Silver Fish took second place at the first annual Bicycle Polo Tournament held at the Old Townhall in Almonte.
While the more experienced Montreal team, named Tricky Dick Nixon, walked, or rode, away with top honours, the Silver Fish team made up of Bill Barrie, Jeff Mills and James Jamieson put on a really great show. Mississippi MIlls had four teams in the tournament and all played well.
Bike Polo is new to Mississippi Mills. It involves three players per side each equipped with a mallet, a slightly modified bicycle and a playing area surrounded by boards. Players' feet may not touch the ground and there are strict rules about physical contact. Goal posts are placed at each end of the "field" and to score a small ball must be hit between the goal posts.
The tournament, organized by George Yaremchuk, is part of the many planned events celebrating Bicycle Month. A complete calendar of these events is available at The Old Townhall in Almonte, from a number of merchants in Mississippi Mills or at www.mmbicyclemonth.ca