OVO AWL elimination finals

It was all on the line for the eight teams contesting matches during Friday’s OVO Australian Water Polo League (OVO AWL) elimination finals at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Winning teams were rewarded with a position in Saturday’s semi finals.

In the women’s games, Queensland Thunder came up against ACU Cronulla Sharks in a third versus sixth battle. Thunder prevailed with a 16-11 score, but the win was not without challenge as the Sharks pushed them for the full four quarters.

Bron Knox was Thunder’s first goal scorer and the three-time Olympian bagged a total of three goals throughout the match.

“It was great to have a good hit out, the first quarter was a bit close but we pulled away in the second and held on throughout the game,” Knox said.

“Once you get that first goal the rest start coming. Everyone really stepped up and put away their own shots,” she said.

Fourth versus fifth saw Fremantle Marlins defeat Sydney University Lions 9-8, but it came down to the wire as Sydney clawed back from a first quarter 1-4 deficit.

Pia Rodgers scored three goals for the Marlins and said the team would need to do more on Saturday.

“We’re really going to work on our defence and make sure we’re all working together really well,” Rodgers said.

The results mean UNSW Wests Killer Whales will take on the Thunder and UTS Balmain play the Marlins.

In the men’s games, the Fremantle Mariners booked a spot in the semi finals with a convincing 21-9 win in their third versus sixth match against Queensland Thunder.

The Mariners made their intentions clear from the beginning, setting up a 5-1 head start at quarter time.

Eight Mariners players shared in the goal scoring but it was Luke Pavillard who led the way with six goals.

“Any time the Mariners get a win I’m happy, it just so happened that I was the one who finished off the goals,” Pavillard said.

In winning their semi final the Mariners will go head to head against minor premiers Drummoyne Devils and Pavillard said the team will need to lift.

“Focus on defence, limit them to eight or less goals and I think we have a real shot.

“Throughout the season our objective has been focused on defence. We’ll put it in the back of the net but I think we’re not going to have much success if we’re letting teams score eight, nine, 10 plus goals,” he said.

The fourth game of the night saw reigning premiers Sydney University Lions defeat Hunter Hurricanes 14-6.

The Lions got off to a strong start before Hurricanes made it 6-3 in the semi-finals.

“We wanted to have a good start so going four nil up was a dream start,” said Tom McJannet.

The Lions will now face UNSW Wests Magpies in their Saturday semi-final clash.

Make sure you’re following @WaterPoloAus across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to ensure you’re up to date with all the latest news from the 2019 OVO AWL Finals Series.

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RESULTS

WOMENS

Queensland Thunder dft. ACU Cronulla Sharks 16-11
Fremantle Marlins dft. Sydney University Lions 7-6

MENS

Fremantle Mariners dft. Queensland Thunder 21-9
Sydney University Lions dft. Hunter Hurricanes 14-6

FIXTURES DAY 2

WOMENS

5th vs 6th – ACU Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney University Lions (9:00am)
Semi Final 1 – UTS Balmain vs Fremantle Marlins (3:30pm)
Semi Final 2 – UNSW Wests Killer Whales vs Queensland Thunder (5:00pm)

MENS

5th vs 6th – Hunter Hurricanes vs Queensland Thunder (10:30am)
Semi Final 1 – Drummoyne Devils vs Sydney University Lions (12:00pm)
Semi Final 2 - UNSW Wests Magpies vs Fremantle Mariners (1:30pm)

FAST FACTS

WHAT: 2019 OVO Australian Waterpolo League Finals Series
WHEN: 3-5 May 2019
WHERE: Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
TICKETS: Tickets will be available to purchase at the door with cash or card.

1 Day Pass – Adult $15, Youth $10, Child (under 5) Free
3 Day Pass – Adult $30, Youth $20, Child (under 5) Free