AUSTRALIAN WATER POLO LEAGUE - ROUND 8 WRAP

The 2022 Australian Waterpolo League is in full swing, and it was great to see pools across Australia buzzing with Round 8 action. From the wet and wild weather in Queensland, to some close games in New South Wales - Round 8 had it all.

Round 8 was also known as ‘Pride Round’ - with a Pride Match played at the Valley Pool in Brisbane on Saturday night.

HUNTER HURRICANES V VICTORIAN PHOENIX

Hunter Hurricanes and Victorian Phoenix met in a double header at Lambton Pool in Round 8, with games on Friday night and Saturday morning.

First up on Friday, it was the women in the pool and the score went down to the wire. Neck and neck for all four quarters, there was nothing separating the teams until a last minute goal from Hunter secured them the win.

Up next it was the mens’ turn, and there were goals aplenty with both teams scoring a combined 37 goals during the match. Hunter walked away with bragging rights, claiming a convincing 24-13 win.

On Saturday, the women were again inseparable, and not even the scores were able to be different - finishing in an 8-all draw. In the men’s match, it was again Hunter Hurricanes that claimed victory, 14-6 over Victorian Phoenix.

For full results - click here

Watch the replays via News Corp Australia - click here

UNSW WESTS V FYFE ADELADE/HOBART JETS

UNSW Wests and FYFE Adelaide/Hobart Jets also had a double header in Sydney this weekend, with games on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, UNSW Wests Killerwhales’ Katie Sverchek and Kiara Holden lead the charge and were unstoppable in attack, scoring five and six goals respectively to help their team to a 15-9 victory.

Currently undefeated and atop the table, the UNSW Wests Magpies were keen to continue their unbeaten streak.

Tokyo Olympian Nathan Power and young gun Matthew Byrnes fired three goals each into the back of the net, securing the 11-4 win for the Magpies.

Sunday’s games followed a similar suit, with Kiara Holden standing up once again to score five goals, with young gun Eliza Limn scoring four goals, and Katie Sverchek, Daisy Carter, Dayna Garside and Carla Traplin all with two.

In the men’s game, UNSW managed to get another win under their belt courtesy of a hat trick of goals from Tokyo Olympian Tim Putt, and another three from Angus Lambie.

For full results - click here

SYDNEY UNI LIONS v ACU CRONULLA SHARKS

Sydney Uni Lions and ACU Cronulla Sharks went head to head at Peter Montgomery Pool on Saturday. In the first game of the day, Cronulla Sharks women managed to get the upper hand and claimed a 14-10 victory.

After recently being selected in the Aussie Sharks team for the upcoming FINA World League Intercontinental Cup, young gun Chaz Poot was key to the Sydney Uni Lions victory, scoring five goals of his own to help his team to a 11-6 win.

Also travelling to Peru with the Aussie Sharks, 18-year old Andrej Grgurevic scored a two goal haul, as did Drew McJannett.

For full results - click here

QUEENSLAND THUNDER v DRUMMOYNE DEVILS

Despite constant rain at the Valley Pool in Brisbane, Queensland Thunder and Drummoyne Devils went head to head in Pride Round of the Australian Waterpolo League.

With an exhibition match between Brisbane Tritons opening the night, both teams were eager for their first encounter this season.

In her last weekend of AWL before heading to Peru for the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup, Abby Andrews was key for her Queensland Thunder side, scoring five goals that proved to be the difference in the end score line, Queensland claiming a 12-7 win.

Queensland Thunder women managed to cement their position in first on the overall AWL ladder, with another victory over Drummoyne Devils, 12-5.

Missing the experience of four time Olympian Rhys Howden and 2012 Olympian Billy Miller, Queensland Thunder men were unable to hold onto their unbeaten streak, narrowly losing to Drummoyne Men 6-7 in the first match up of the weekend.

On Sunday, Tokyo Olympian Blake Edwards was the stand out with a five goal haul for his Drummoyne Devils. Drummoyne’s Marko Marceta and Lazar Pasuljevic also scored two goals each to help their side to an 11-5 victory.

For full results - click here

Watch the replays via News Corp Australia - click here

UTS BALMAIN V SYDNEY UNI LIONS

Inclement weather forced a venue change for Sunday’s Clash of the Cats between UTS Balmain Tigers and Sydney Uni Lions.

Going head to head at Ashfield Aquatic Centre, both teams were eager to get a win under the belt to secure the vital championship points on offer.

Chris Dyson was the top goal scorer with three, and Chaz Poot was again on fire in the men’s game, proving a force to be reckoned with and scoring two goals of his own.

In the women’s game, Balmain were formidable in attack, outscoring Sydney Uni 13-6. Sienna Hearn and Katie Dudley lead from the front scoring three goals each, with Maddison Schmid and Ellena Little scoring two each.

For full results - click here

Watch the replays via News Corp Australia - click here