Monday Wrap | Rnd 3 OVO Australian Waterpolo League

Twelve matches were held across Australia as part of OVO Australian Waterpolo League round three competition with the OVO Play match featuring FYFE Adelaide Jets against UWA Torpedoes in a duel for the Adelaide Cup.

The Adelaide Cup went on the line last weekend when Jets hosting Torpedoes in South Australia's capital.

In the women’s match it was a tight first half with Torpedoes holding a narrow one goal advantage at half time with three goals to their account.

Torpedoes managed to kick away in the third term with goals to Tayla Walsh and Madison Rigo combined with strong defensive efforts.

For the Jets, Dutch import Merel de Jong chipped in with two important goals of her own late in the match to narrow the margin, but it wasn't enough with a young Torpedoes group claiming the Adelaide Cup, 9-5.

Torpedoes sharp shooter Dayna O'Leary said winning the Adelaide Cup meant a lot to their side.

“We’re very happy to win it and we had a great presentation with both teams afterwards, so it was a nice to celebrate something meaningful for all the teams post match, it wasn't just another national league game.

“I think we probably went into it underestimating Adelaide a little bit, the game was a little closer than what we were hoping for, but I think our fitness really showed towards the end of the match," she said.

Speaking on the Torpedoes' capacity, O'Leary says it is one of their top strengths as a group.

"We’re young girls, but we’re fit and fast and that showed towards the end of the match which probably got us through with the win.”

"I think his [Vaughn Thomson's - Head Coach] main focus is that he just wants to see that effort from everyone in the water, which is really important as we move forward and develop over the years and this season," said O'Leary.

A tough affair followed in the men’s match with home side Jets getting off to an early 3-1 lead at the first break.

Jets continued to their dominance throughout the match, helped with a four goal haul from Stefan Porobic.

Torpedoes' Lachaln Pethick did his best to pull back the score with a hat trick of his won, but in the end it wasn't enough with the Jets securing their first win of 2019 with a 14-9 vicotry.

UWA will be back in action for round five when they take on Perth rivals Fremantle in a highly anticipated event.

After three rounds of competition, UNSW Wests Magpies sit atop of the men’s OVO AWL ladder undefeated with Drummoyne Devils and Queensland Thunder sitting second and third respectively.

Queensland Thunder captain Rhys Howden leads the men’s goal scoring with 27 goals to his name so far this season.

The Queensland Thunder women’s team haven’t dropped a match in eight encounters to lead the women’s OVO AWL competition ladder, with UWA Torpedoes and UTS Balmain Tigers trailing close behind.

Kiara Holden is having a standout season currently tallying 19 goals for her ACU Cronulla Sharks side, leading the women's competition goal scorers ahead of Bronwen Knox who has netted 15 goals.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

HUNTER:

In spectacular scenes at Queens Wharf, Hunter Hurricanes hosted Drummoyne Devils in the first of two events based in the Newcastle Harbour.

A seven-goal effort from Devils’ Roser Tarrago wasn’t enough to prevent the Hunter women getting up 13-12.

Hurricanes Women's Head Coach Mitch Baird said it was great to get their first win in 2019 as reported in the Newcastle Herald.

“It’s been tough starting off 0-5 but the girls have been working hard at training every week, they just haven’t been able to put it together on the weekends.

“They have shown promise at times but consistency has let them down.

“It was nice for their effort to be rewarded and hopefully we can build on that moving forward," said Baird.

Hunter will again return to Queens Wharf for a double header against ACU Cronnulla Sharks this weekend in the OVO Play match of the week.

SYDNEY:

UNSW Wests featured in all four matches across the city with a Friday night, 2018 women’s OVO AWL gold medal rematch, providing a great contest with both sides trading goals early on.

In the end, defending champions UNSW Wests Killer Whales took a slight advantage over a Lions outfit missing some of their veterans and extedned their winning streak against Sydney Uni.

Aussie Stingers Daisy Carter and Ash Southern lead from the front with three goals apiece to help their team to an 11-8 win.

In the men’s corresponding match, UNSW Wests Magpies were too strong, claiming a 12-6 win over the 2018 men’s OVO AWL gold medallists.

On Sunday, UNSW Wests continued their winning ways claiming back to back victories against ACU Cronulla Sharks with their men’s side winning comfortably 19-6 and the women’s group 8-6.

HANDY LINKS

COMING SOON! Our team is finalising the men’s and women’s full match replays. When they are available online you will be able to watch them here.

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

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