The Australian Waterpolo League action continued over the weekend, with plenty of close battles and milestones to celebrate.

CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

MEN | UNSW Wests Magpies v UWA Torpedoes

UNSW Wests Magpies and UWA Torpedoes met in Sydney for their first of two match ups on Thursday, the win falling in favour of the home side 15-7.

In one of the most impressive performances in recent AWL history, UNSW Wests Magpies powered home to deliver a 23-14 win over visitors UWA Torpedoes in their second game of the weekend. In his return following the World Aquatics World Cup, Aussie Sharks co-captain Nathan Power was the top scorer with 10 goals. Japanese national team representative and UNSW’s newest recruit Seiya Adachi was also impressive with six goals to his name. 

MEN | Drummoyne Devils v UWA Torpedoes 

Drummoyne Devils men hosted UWA Torpedoes for two games during their road trip to the eastern seaboard.

In their first match up, nothing could separate the two teams, the game ending in a 6-6 draw. Their second game followed a similar suit, however hosts Drummoyne Devils managed to edge ahead to claim a 15-11 win.

MEN  | ACU Cronulla Sharks v UTS Balmain Tigers 

ACU Cronulla Sharks and UTS Balmain Tigers men continued the close match ups on the second weekend of the Australian Waterpolo League Championship.

On Saturday, the sides went head to head in the Sutherland Shire, with the home team getting the upper hand with a one goal win. At Dawn Fraser Baths on Sunday, the two teams couldn’t have been more evenly matched, the final  score a 13-13 draw.

Congratulations to ACU Cronulla Sharks’ Ben Matthews who played his 200th national league game over the weekend.

MEN | UNSW Wests Magpies v Sydney Uni Lions 

Cross town rivals UNSW West Magpies and Sydney Uni Lions delivered thrilling competition for local fans, with  two close scorelines, the win falling in Sydney Uni’s favour 13-10 on Saturday, before UNSW claimed a one goal win on Sunday 11-12.

WOMEN | Sydney Uni Lions v Griffith University Queensland Thunder 

Griffith University Queensland Thunder women made the trip south to Sydney for the second weekend of the AWL Championship competition.

On Saturday, they went  up against Sydney Uni Lions, falling just short with the home side claiming a 12-11 victory. On Sunday, the Griffith University Queensland Thunder returned to their winning ways with a three goal win, 13-10.

Special shout out to Bridget Leeson-Smith (100 national league games) and Maddy Steere (150 national league games) who celebrated milestones over the weekend.

WOMEN | ACU Cronulla Sharks v UTS Balmain Tigers

UTS Balmain Tigers proved why they’re ones to watch in the AWL Championship division with two important wins over ACU Cronulla Sharks on  the weekend.

Saturday’s game saw UTS Balmain Tigers head to the Sutherland Shire to start their weekend winning streak with a three goal victory, 9-6. The glory continued on Sunday for the  Tigers, despite a close game they roared as one to impress a home crowd at Dawn Fraser Baths with a 9-8 win.

Jana Liessmann (ACU Cronulla Sharks) played her 300th national league game over the weekend, a special achievement.

WOMEN | Fremantle Marlins v UWA Torpedoes

In the West, rivals Fremantle Marlins and UWA Torpedoes met on the second weekend of the AWL competition. 

Fremantle Marlins hosted their WA counterparts on Saturday, producing a two goal win at Bicton Pool. On Sunday, four time Olympian Bronwen Knox celebrated her 300th national league game with her new team the UWA Torpedoes. But the Fremantle Marlins stole the spotlight with a 12-7 win at HBF Stadium.

Congratulations to Madeliene Quinn (200) and Sofia Chaves (100) who celebrated their national league milestones over the weekend.

SOUTHERN CROSS CUP

MEN | Hunter Hurricanes v Griffith University Queensland Thunder 

The Hunter Hurricanes men hosted Griffith University Queensland Thunder over the weekend. The closely matched sides played two games, Saturday’s result going the way of the hosts, 10-7.

On Sunday, Griffith University Queensland Thunder bounced back to win 10-9.

MEN | Victorian Phoenix v Fremantle Mariners 

Fremantle Mariners men made the trip to Melbourne for the second weekend of the Australian Waterpolo League, where they met Victorian Phoenix.

Victorian Phoenix managed to get a two goal win on Saturday, 14-12, before the visitors hit their straps in the second game to win 8-13.

WOMEN | Victorian Phoenix v Drummoyne Devils

Victorian Phoenix women hosted Drummoyne Devils for a double header at Caulfield Grammar School over the weekend.

A home pool advantage wasn’t enough for the Victorian Phoenix, with Drummoyne Devils women getting two wins over the weekend - 18-9 on Saturday and 14-11 on Sunday.

WOMEN | Hunter Hurricanes v UNSW Wests Killerwhales

UNSW Wests Killerwhales defeated Hunter Hurricanes women in their match up on Sunday, 11-9.

Congratulations to Julia Barton (Hunter Hurricanes) who played her 100th national league game.