|
12-02-2010 - Russell McKinnon |
|
Fremantle claims first blood in opening clash between top two teams |
The Australian League moved to Sydney this weekend.
Foto: Birgit Engl |
In Australia the reigning champions Fremantle Mariners survived the first major assault on their National Water Polo League crown at Bicton Pool last night. The jaded Victorian Tigers, last year´s minor premiers, struggled at the late hour after flying from Melbourne. The match started at 8.30pm and finished well after midnight Victorian time with the hosts winning their opening match 9-7. The margin was 9-5 with two minutes remaining so the return match between the two best teams in the league on Saturday night should be enthralling.
Both teams have the ignominy of winning the past two minor premierships only to finish fifth at the finals series. Fremantle looked strong with internationals Tim Cleland, Jamie Beadsworth and Aaron Younger on fire while the Tigers kept striking back through Ryan Moody and back-from-injury British international Scott Carpenter. Tigers coach Jeff Barrow said even he was tired after the game while Fremantle coach David Swift said his team was a “little rusty” in its first outing.
The women´s game went the way of four-time champions Longmont Fremantle Marlins 13-7. Glencora Ralph netted five times while the game´s standout player, Gemma Beadsworth, slotted four more. The pair scored seven goals by the 8-2 halftime break.
In Sydney, Drummoyne Devils gave up two victories to visiting KFC Queensland Breakers. Last year´s runners-up men went down 7-6 after leading 4-1 at quarter time. Drummoyne had 4-3 and 5-4 leads at the next two breaks and even led 6-4 with four minutes remaining before Dan Streets, Jordan Votan and Billy Miller bombed action goals in a two-minute spurt for the improbable victory.
Breakers women were in control for most of their match for an 8-7 win, leading by three goals early before Drummoyne tied the game at 5-5 late in the second quarter. The Breakers were 8-5 up midway through the third and the final score was reached nearly three minutes from the end of the third period with both sides closing shops.
Fyfe Adelaide Jets women snared an 11-all draw with Sydney University Lions after the game was squared on eight occasions. The Lions led by three in the third but the Jets levelled at 10 just 1:53 from time and took the lead through junior international Isobel Bishop with 1:13 left. Nine seconds later, Alicia Brightwell gained her fourth for the draw. The Lions men broke a 7-all deadlock with three minutes remaining via a Trent Franklin goal to gain an 8-7 win over the Jets.
Results:
Men:
Sydney: KFC Queensland Breakers 7 (B Miller 2, D Marsden, D Streets, M McCann, S Robertson, J Votan) Drummoyne Devils 6 (M Emery 3, A Polivka, A Roach, T Martin), Sydney University Lions 8 (L Hollis 4, T Franklin, A Visch 2) Fyfe Adelaide Jets 7 (N Martin, P Harmer, A Parsonage, G Bretag-Norris, T Dayman, A Martin, G Robinson).
Perth: Fremantle Mariners 9 (T Cleland, J Beadsworth, A Younger 2, J Swift, D Lawrence, N Redbond) Victorian Tigers 7 (R Moody, S Carpenter 2, B Alexander, S McGregor, J Woods).
Women:
Sydney: KFC Queensland Breakers 8 (J Stuhmcke, E Bowden 3, B Knox, S Smith) Drummoyne Devils 7 (L Silver 3, A Turnbull, L Callahan 2), Sydney University Lions 11 (A Brightwell 4, K Gofers 3, G Wikman 2, M Hammond, C Bowry) Fyfe Adelaide Jets 11 (J Martin 4, S Ricketts 3, S Gstettenbauer 2, I Bishop, C Barr).
Perth: Longmont Fremantle Marlins 13 (G Ralph 5, G Beadsworth 4, Z Arancini 2, C Ainsworth, E Neesham) Victorian Tigers 7 (EJ Grahame 4, J Fancher, R Foxton, S Hurst).
|
|
Heren
Heren international
