AUSTRALIAN WATERPOLO LEAGUE - ROUND 10 WRAP

The end of the Australian Waterpolo League season is nearing, and with three rounds to go teams put it all on the line to claim the vital championship points on offer. There were some close battles, and goals galore in Round 10 of the Australian Waterpolo League.

UNSW WESTS v HUNTER HURRICANES

The blockbuster weekend of Australian Waterpolo League action kicked off with a fierce battle between UNSW Wests and Hunter Hurricanes.

In the women’s game, UNSW’s Kiara Holden led with experience, scoring six goals to help her team to a 17-5 win. Daisy Carter (4 goals) and Kate Hughes (3 goals) were also integral to the Killerwhales’ attack.

The men’s game was a closely fought battle, with only two goals separating the teams at the end of the four quarters. Both teams were missing some key players, who were with the Aussie Sharks at the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in Peru. In the end it was UNSW Wests Magpies that got the win, 13-11.

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UTS BALMAIN TIGERS v QUEENSLAND THUNDER

Queensland Thunder travelled to Sydney for Round 10 of the Australian Waterpolo League, for back to back clashes against UTS Balmain Tigers.

It was a top of the table clash in the women’s game, with Queensland Thunder looking to extend their lead and UTS Balmain Tigers looking to close the gap. The end score line reflected the intensity of the game, with Queensland Thunder claiming a 1 goal victory, 9-8. Sophie Milliken, Kate Blew, Alice Williams and Jessica Emerson all scored two each for the Thunder, with Maddison Schmid the top goal scorer for Balmain with four goals.

In the mens’ game, UTS Balmain Tigers were eager to continue their climb up the ladder, but had Queensland Thunder men standing in their way. However, Balmain managed to make the most of their home pool advantage to win by five goals, 15-10. London Olympian James Clarke was formidable in goals, and Mitch Robinson and Matt Wilson were key to the Tigers attack with four and three goals each respectively.

On Sunday, the two sides met again at Ashfield Aquatic Centre. Queensland Thunder women were able to continue their winning streak, with an 11-7 victory over Balmain. In the men’s game, UTS Balmain Tigers got another important win on the board that puts them in equal fifth place on the overall ladder, tied with Queensland Thunder on 28 points.

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FYFE ADELAIDE/HOBART JETS v ACU CRONULLA SHARKS

ACU Cronulla Sharks also had a road trip on the cards for Round 10 of the Australian Waterpolo League, travelling to Adelaide for a double header against FYFE Adelaide/Hobart Jets at Adelaide Aquatic Centre.

A fierce ACU Cronulla Sharks women were able to kick start their weekend with a win on Saturday, defeating Adelaide 14-6. The Cronulla men followed suit, claiming a 12-8 victory on Saturday night over FYFE Adelaide/Hobart Jets.

On Sunday, in one of two matches broadcast via News Corp Australia, ACU Cronulla Sharks women managed to get another win on the board. Allie Loomis and Danjiela Jackovich scored four goals each to help their side to a 10-7 victory.

In the men’s game, Milos Maksimovic and Matija Durdevic also scored four goals each to guide the Sharks to a 18-12 victory. The win sees Cronulla rocket into fourth place on the overall ladder, ahead of Queensland Thunder and UTS Balmain Tigers.

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VICTORIAN PHOENIX v SYDNEY UNI LIONS

Another team with a roadtrip in Round 10 was Sydney Uni Lions, who travelled to Melbourne to face Victorian Phoenix. In their first trip to Melbourne since Victoria rejoined the Australian Waterpolo League, Sydney Uni managed to claim four from four victories.

On Saturday, dual Olympian Keesja Gofers led her Sydney Uni Lions side with experience, and scored two goals of her own. Maddisyn Powells was the top goal scorer for Sydney Uni with three goals, matched by Victoria’s Zoe Hille who also scored three. In the end, the scoreline was 11-10 in favour of Sydney Uni.

In the men’s game, Sydney Uni claimed another hard fought win, 12-10 over the Victorian Phoenix. Having played his 150th Australian Waterpolo League game last weekend, Tokyo Olympian Anthony Hrystanthos was crucial in goals for Sydney Uni.

On Sunday, Sydney Uni women cemented their spot in fifth overall on the ladder with another win, 19-7. Having relocated to the east coast for the 2022 season, Western Australia’s Luci Marsh scored six goals for Sydney Uni Lions, followed by Keesja Gofers with three and Danielle Morrissey, Madissyn Powells, Lucy Gills and Alexie Lambert all with two each.

In the men’s game, Sydney Uni held off a determined Victorian Phoenix to claim a 15-7 win. Tokyo Olympian Goran Tomasevic (Sydney Uni) and Gareth Hunter (Victoria) were the equal top goal scorers of the game with four each.

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HUNTER HURRICANES v DRUMMOYNE DEVILS

In their second game of the weekend, Hunter Hurricanes hosted Drummoyne Devils at Lambton Pool on Sunday. Captain Morgan Baxter led the Drummoyne Devils women to a 9-3 win, with three goals of her own.

In the men’s game, despite missing captain/coach Blake Edwards who is in Peru with the Aussie Sharks, the Drummoyne Devils defeated Hunter Hurricanes by four goals, 10-6.

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KAP7 CUP WESTERN AUSTRALIA - FREMANTLE MARINERS/MARLINS v UWA TORPEDOES

The KAP7 Cup (Western Australia) passed the half way make this weekend, with the third round between Fremantle Marlins/Mariners and UWA Torpedoes contested at Bicton Pool. Visitors UWA Torpedoes were able to topple host club Fremantle in both games, women’s 8-7 and men’s 11-10.

The clubs will play another two rounds, before travelling to Sydney for the Challenger Series leading into the Australian Waterpolo League finals in April.

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