With the water polo season coming to an end and semi-finals next week, the last round match between Sharks and Dolphins was seen by many pundits as a prelude to this season's grand final.
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In a minor upset, Dolphins defeated Sharks 5-3. Both teams approached this match as a trial for the major game of the season, with a heightened level of intensity. Sharks plan was to mark danger man Daniel Barnes out of the match, a tactic that they executed well, as he was kept to a single scoring shot in the third period.
The Sharks underestimated the depth of the Dolphins as others rose to chime in with great scoring shots. Locked at 1-1 at the end of the first quarter and 3-3 at halftime the match was evenly balanced and looked as if it would be close down to the final whistle.
Jason Nicholas scored 2 for Sharks and Emma Maddox 1, while Ben Canute 2 and Blake Osborne 1 responded for Dolphins. The third period was tense, as the game flowed from end to end and both goal keepers earned their keep with good saves, only Daniel Barnes managing to score for Dolphins.
The final period was just as tense with both teams having chances that they weren't able to capitalise on. It was only in the last minute that Ben Canute scored again for Dolphins, his third for the match, that the result became clear and Dolphins could take a breath.
It would be a real upset if these teams didn't progress to the grand final and the rematch should be a great game. A few weeks ago Sharks looked clear favourites as minor premiers, Dolphins are now looking just as dangerous and deserve the status of equal favourites.
The second A grade game saw the Mariners defeat Polar Bears 9-6. Mariners were never in doubt, as Polar Bears were forced into the match having to play down a player with injury and illness taking a toll.
The Polar Bears did very well to keep the Mariners scoring under control, while at the same time managing to score six goals themselves. Mariners led 5-1 at halftime before the Polar Bears came out of hibernation to take the second half 5-4. Jason Sellers 2, Will Jamieson 2 and Jovi Winters kept the scorers busy in the first half for Mariners while Marco Basaglia scored for Polar Bears.
The Bears kept close to the Mariners after the break with Mariners scoring 3 and Polar Bears 2. Jovi Winters scored 2 and Samuel Townsend 1, while Scott McClean and Jeremy Regan scored for Polar Bears. The Polar Bears really warmed up in the final quarter out scoring the Mariners 3-1, Scott McClean added two more and Karl Nurse chimed in with a great goal from wide out.
Samuel Townsend scored his second for the Mariners.
In B grade the competition second placed Horton's Heroes defeated Dolphins 7-3, as they continued on their winning way.
Horton's Heroes set up the win with a strong first quarter outscoring Dolphins 3-1. Dolphins provided some stiff opposition and made Horton's Heroes work hard for their victory holding them to 1-1 in the second quarter.
The story was much the same in the second half with Horton's Heroes taking the third period 2-0 and Dolphins holding them at 1-1 in the last. John Jamieson 2, Austin Lockhart 2, Craig Ford, Noah Ford and Sam Mackay were Horton's scorers and Hamish Barber scored all three Dolphins goals.
Mariners defeated Oxley Gold 9-6, and also wrapped up the B grade minor premiership with a solid win.
Oxley Gold again displayed their improved skills as they pushed the first placed team throughout the match. Mariners were consistent in applying pressure throughout the match. They scored 5-3 in the first half, Sean Andrews 2, William Docherty 2 and Campbell Wakeling finding the net for Mariners and Ben Canute 2 and Bronte Smith scoring for Oxley Gold.
The second half was Mariners 4-2, in the third period Mariners pinched an unanswered two goals to take the match way from Oxley's reach. Both teams scored two goals in the final period for the 9-6 result.
Campbell Wakeling and William Docherty scored again, while Matthew Townsend got on the card for Mariners. Oxley's scorers were Ben Canute with his third and Lucie Drysdale.
The Polar Bears defeated Oxley Blue 5-3 in a close encounter.
This Oxley team, like the Gold side have improved enormously over the season. They play the game with a great attitude and sportsmanship. The Polar Bears went to an early lead and looked to have the match well in their control before Oxley Blue rallied to come back and draw the scores 3-3 going into the final period.
The Polar Bears were able to break the ice with two unanswered goals to take the match.
Marco Basaglia and Karl Nurse scored two each and Lauren Cameron one for Polar Bears while Ben Morton Treahy Finn and Tijmen Regan were Oxley Blues scorers.
Next week's games on Monday night at the Frensham Pool are as follows:-
- Game 1 6.05pm B Grade 1 Mariners v 4 Polar Bears
- Game 2 6.40pm B Grade 2 Hortons Heroes v 3 Dolphins
- Game 3 7.20pm A Grade 1 Sharks v 4 Mariners
- Game 4 8.05pm A Grade 2 Dolphins v 3 Polar Bears
