EPIC SYDNEY CLASH BETWEEN RIVALS IN U18 MEN'S FINAL

The battle of Sydney came to Brisbane tonight as cross town rivals UNSW West Magpies and Sydney Uni Lions faced off in the U18 Men’s gold medal match.

Both teams brought the physicality to the match up and there was nothing between the two sides.

The Magpies led throughout, but it wasn’t until the fourth quarter they really broke away to take the gold medal with a 6-2 win.

Captain of the Magpies Matt Byrnes was pleased to see his team’s hard work pay off on the big stage.

“I’m pretty stoked….full credit to the boys.

“We’ve been working pretty hard over the last three years since 16’s when we lost, we’re pretty happy to win it this year,” he said.

Magpies Head Coach Daniel Streets echoed Byrnes comments, admitting this result was been years in making.

“Fantastic, it’s been a long time coming, we’ve worked hard for the last three years,” said Streets.

“We’ve won a couple of Sydney comps in a row, we’ve won three state champs in a row, so this is the one we haven’t got in a few years. It’s awesome to finally get it.”

“Sydney Uni are a massive rival and they are so good. It’s a healthy rivalry that’s goes from 12’s all the way up to National League.

“We’ve spent a lot of time and effort into developing the 12’s and 14’s and trying to get a good culture into the junior program.

"We’ve got a long list of really good volunteers, coaches and managers that help out, so I’m looking forward to the next 10 years,” he said.

In the bronze medal clash it was River City up against Melville Sharks, with River City walking away 9-8 winners.

For full results – visit the Match Centre.

Want to watch the game? Catch the game in full on OVO Play.

2019 18&U MEN'S AUSTRALIAN YOUTH WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS STANDINGS:

Gold - UNSW Magpies
Silver - Sydney Uni Lions
Bronze - River City
4 - Melville Sharks
5 - UWA Bears
6 - Canberra Dolphins
7 - Cronulla
8 - Barras
9 - UTS Balmain
10 - Hunter Hurricanes
11 - HBHS
12 - Melville Saints
13 - Adelaide Jets
14 - Sunshine Cosat
15 - Drummoyne
16 - Cudas
17 - Sydney Uni Suns
18 - River City Blue