The Highlands Golf Club Water Polo competition games were played this week in ideal conditions. It is great to have the Highlands Golf club supporting so many young players at the busy Mittagong pool. There were good games on both Monday by the Seniors and Juniors on Tuesday. The B grade competition saw the two game victory run of the Mantas were obviously still playing well after their encouraging return to form over the last two weeks and were not daunted at meeting the tough Sharks B side. Sharks were kept to a single goal in the first quarter, Mantas scored a goal themselves to be one each at quarter time. The Sharks came back to nudge Mantas 2-1 in the second quarter, to see Sharks leads two to one a half time. Sharks again out pointed Mantas 3-2 in the third quarter to set up an exciting last quarter, with the score being 5-3 to Sharks. Sharks must have used the rest from last week’s bye to advantage. They seemed to have plenty of energy left as they came out with their relentless attack, scoring three goals in the last quarter, to Mantas 1. This gave the Sharks a fairly comfortable 9-5 margin I the end that didn’t reflect the overall closeness of the encounter. Mantas scorers were, Martin Galleta 2, a quiter night for him. John Smith scored 2, and Brendon Dodds 1 making up the total of 5. Sharks scorers were Jesse Price 4, Dominic Steele 2, Jonas Price 1, Aaron Steele 1, Alison Steele 1. This completed a real family score board for Sharks 9 goals. Martin Galleta scored the main best and fairest points for the game for the third week in a row, Alison Steele took two points and Jesse Price took one point.
Polar Bears B were looking for fresh Mariner meat after being beaten in the las5t couple of weeks. Mariners B were not prepared to be the change in Polar Bears diet. Polar Bears B managed one goal in the first quarter, but Mariners countered with 1. Mariners kept up the pressure with another goal in the second quarter to lead 2-1 at half time. The young Mariners kept their ship sailing steadily, to their credit, despite Polar Bears attempts to rock the boat. Mark Bow was doing a fine job keeping the Mariners net ship shape, in goals. The Mariners managed 2 more goals to 1, during the third quarter. Polar Bears B were contained well during the fourth quarter, Mariners keeping them scoreless, while scoring two more themselves. Mariners were again their most dangerous as a game neared the final docking. Stuart Murdoch posted two Mariners goals, as did Christian Thom. Scott Flint and Justin McCue also scored one each. Polar Bears scorers were Ross Chase and Steve Currie, one each. Stuart Murcoch scored the main best and fairest points for the game. Tony Springett took two points. Tony is in fine form in a team not having much luck. Christian Thom took one.
The A grade competition provided two good games. The young Sharks continued their form of providing the closest game of the night as they took on the Wildcats. Sharks started much better this week as they stayed with Wildcats posting two goals each in the first quarter.
This was repeated in the second quarter, thus we had the game poised in the balance at 4-4 at half time. The game looked like staying close until the end, Mariners posted another goal but were again countered by a Wildcats goal to make the quarter 1-1. This locked the game up again at 5-5 going into the final quarter. Sharks again showed strength, making for an exciting last quarter. Unfortunately for them the Wildcats have just the extra experience needed in this sort of tight situation. Wildcats with their strong team in the water gave Erin Douglass the centimetre of space she needed to slip in the winning goal for Wildcats. Wildcats are developing into a very cohesive unit as they prepare for up-coming representative fixtures. The good team work of both sides made for an exciting match. The game went to Wildcats 6-5. The Wildcats confirmed, as the finals loom nearer, that there is no doubt they have come back into this competition in a big way. For Wildcats, Erin Douglass scored 3, Kerrie Ticehurst scored 2 and Kate Yabsley 1. Shark’s scorers were Ben Douglass 3, John Kelly 1 and Sean Andrews 1. Wildcats Erin Douglass, took the 3 best and fairest points for game, just ahead of younger brother and opposition player Ben Douglass 2 and Kerrie Ticehurst 1.
The second A grade game saw the Mariners battle the Polar Bears. While there was plenty of scoring it only came mainly from Mariners, who met an under strength Polar Bears. Polar Bears never settled down, posting their only goals in reply to the Mariners in the third quarter. Polar Bears never looked likely to hit the lead, they were chasing four unanswered goals at half time, Mariners looked very safe. Polar Bears did their best work in the third quarter but were still matched by Mariners at two goals each. Their second half was much better than the first as the Mariners had to work a good ideal harder, Polar Bears only lapse letting Mariners score one more goal in the last quarter. The 7-2 result was a blow to the Bears who seemed to have it all together a couple of weeks ago.
Two missed penalty shots didn’t help the Polar Bears cause, but Mariners conversion of several easy scoring opportunities left a lot to be desired.
Mariner’s scorers were Martin Galleta 3 Nick Merriman 1, Daniel Thompson 1, Anthony Bonello 1 and Mark Douglass 1.
Bears scorers were David Chandler 1 and Greg McFadzean 1. Best and fairest went to Martin Galleta 3, Polar Bears Greg McFadzean scored the 2 and Rick Hanby 1.
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