Monday Wrap | Rnd 9 OVO Australian Waterpolo League

The OVO Mobile Australian Waterpolo League returned after a two-week hiatus due to international duties and was headlined with the season’s second Clash of the Cats match between Sydney University Lions and UTS Balmain Tigers.

In the women’s match, Lions shot out of the blocks early and went into their halftime break 4-nil up due to Carla Traplin, Matilda Kearns, Keesja Gofers and Emma Lewis all sharing the goal scoring duties.

Tigers began matching it with the Lions in the second half and outscored their opponents in the final two quarters, however it wasn’t enough in the end with Lions claiming the competition points through a Kearns double, 6-4.

Olympian Keesja Gofers received a lot of minutes after returning from Aussie Stingers duties and was a great influence for her team in the pool.

Fellow Stingers Isobel Bishop and Hannah Buckling received less minutes but provided a calm approach late in the match.

In the men’s match a slick Lions outfit warmed up with purpose and intent which flowed through to all four quarters in their match.

Lions continued their undefeated streak with ruthless attack and smothering defence thanks to their goalkeeper, recent Sydney University Sportsman of the Year, Anthony Hrysanthos.

By the third quarter hat tricks to Lions veteran and dual Olympian Johnno Cotterill as well as fellow teammate USA attacker Michael Rosenthal put the result out of reach for the Tigers, eventually going down 11-1.

In an unusual scene, the loud crowd witnessed a spectacular five metre penalty save by Lions field player Matt Hannan, after regular goalkeeper James Clark was ejected.

BRISBANE

Both Queensland Breakers and Brisbane Barracudas welcomed UWA Torpedoes all the way from the west to Valley Pool for a four-match road trip which began on Thursday.

In a Sunday thriller the women’s match between Brisbane Barracudas and UWA Torpedoes ended four all after four quarters.

Torpedoes American import Michelle Martinelli, backed up her hat trick against the Barracudas on Friday night with a double to send the match into a penalty shootout.

Martinelli put the nail in the coffin and scored the third successful penalty goal after Claire Whitaker and Pippa Pedley also successfully completed their penalties to put the Torpedoes in front after the shootout, 7-5.

The successful penalty shootout secured the Torpedoes first win of the road trip in their last match, after narrowly going down in their previous three matches.

The Torpedoes men won three out of their four matches against the Queensland sides, both against Brisbane Barracudas and one against Queensland Breakers.

Breakers managed to beat their opponents through a strong start and scoreboard pressure.

The always reliable Anthony Martin started well with two goals for the Breakers in the first half and shared top goal scoring honours with teammate Patrick Flannagan as well as Torpedoes Andrew Ford.

After debuting for the Aussie Sharks recently, Breakers goalkeeper Nic Porter showed how much he had learned with repeated saves throughout the match.

Tyler Sinclair and Evan McLean scored a goal each in the fourth quarter rounding out the Breakers 9-4 victory.

NEWCASTLE

What a difference 18 hours can make at Lambton Pool, after lightning and thunder caused both matches between Hunter Hurricanes and UNSW Wests to be abandoned, clear sunshine greeted both teams on their return to the pool Sunday morning.

The visitors from Sydney claimed both matches and will look to build on their performances for their upcoming matches in round 10 which will provide a good test for finals.

Both teams may look to reschedule the abandoned match in the coming weeks.

ADELAIDE

The FYFE Adelaide Jets hosted Drummoyne Devils for round nine and were tested by the Devils strong style of play.

Both Drummoyne teams started how they finished in Adelaide, with victories.

Jets Mikayla Flynn played hard all match and scored a hat trick, but her side could not match it with the Devils going down 15-4 thanks to three goals from Breanna Appel and doubles to five separate Devils players.

In the men’s Sunday match, Devils player Connor Stapleton amassed five goals throughout the game and was supported well by Justin Trabinger and Mitchell Emery, both scoring doubles to secure a comfortable 13-7 win over the South Australian team.

For all results from round nine please click here.