Monday wrap | Rnd 1 OVO Australian Waterpolo League

Australia's premier water polo competition began its 30th season over the weekend, with nine teams across the country in action during the OVO Australian Waterpolo League (OVO AWL) opening round known as Cole Miller round.

As part of the Cole Miller round, Club’s across Australia retired the number 10 cap in remembrance of the young Brisbane player.

Headlining the first OVO Play match of the week was a clash of the cats with UTS Balmain Tigers hosting cross town rivals Sydney Uni Lions at the historic Dawn Fraser Baths.

The grudge match always proves to be a tough affair for the men and women and with bragging rights up for grabs, last weekend was no different, with both teams eager to put their new look line-ups to the test.

The Grant Simms Cup between the men’s Clubs was first up with defending champions Sydney Uni Lions sending a statement to the rest of the competition with a strong 9-4 victory.

Thomas Kearns and Goran Tomasevic did the damage for the Lions, both ending the match with a hat trick, helping Lions reclaim the Grant Simms Cup.

In the women’s encounter, the UTS Balmain Tigers experience shone through in their 19-3 defeat against Sydney Uni Lions women.

While Lions were missing key personnel, they debuted the trio of Ellie Negline, Zsofia Polak in a nod to the their next generation coming through.

The skilled Tigers outfit were dominant throughout the match and although Lions were enthusiastic on the day, they were unable to match it with Tigers going down by 16 goals.

Dual Olympian and Aussie Stingers veteran Rowie Webster had a dream start in her new colours for Balmain, netting herself six goals.

Tigers teammates Jessica Bonnici (4) and Katie Dudley (3) were also crucial in their team’s goal scoring.

Both teams will come face to face again in round 11.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

BRISBANE

It was a history making weekend in Brisbane for the new Queensland Thunder outfit, they managed to claim three wins out of four matches against Hunter Hurricanes.

Thunder now travel to Sydney for a six match roadtrip.

ADELAIDE

Fremantle Marlins, the Women’s 2018 OVO AWL bronze medallists, made a strong start to their 2019 campaign with two convincing wins over FYFE Adelaide Jets in South Australia’s capital.

Rio Olympian and Fremantle Marlin Zoe Arancini impressed during the weekend claiming 11 goals across two matches.

Four of these goals came in Saturday’s 12-8 win, and Arancini continued her strong form going on to net herself a seven-goal haul in Sunday’s 22-13 win.

The Fremantle Marlins (men) made it a clean sweep for the West Australian’s taking both wins across the weekend 10-6 (Saturday) and 11-10 (Sunday).

SYDNEY

Drummoyne Devils, ACU Crounlla Sharks and UNSW Wests were all in action in round one with the Devils delighting home fans taking home two wins on Saturday over the ACU Cronulla sharks.

However, Drummoyne were unable to do the same on Sunday, with their women’s side on the wrong side of a 9-13 scorecard against the 2018 women’s gold medallists.

While the UNSW Wests Magpies flexed their muscles in an entertaining 13-10 win in the men’s match.

HANDY LINKS

Watch a replay of the live stream match – click here. 

View men’s upcoming OVO AWL round 2 fixtures – click here.

View women’s upcoming OVO AWL round 2 fixtures – click here.

Full fixtures - click here.