Breakers cement second place

Sydney (May 16).— A former Balmain Tigers star helped KFC Queensland Breakers cement runner-up spot on the National Water Polo League men’s ladder at the Ryde Aquatic Centre this afternoon. Former international Dean Semmens gained the equalising goal at 9-all to help surge his team to an 11-9 victory in the final preliminary game of the season. The match was held over from November after the lights failed at the Dawn Fraser Pool and it was thought it might not have to be played. However, the Breakers needed the win to secure second place and automatic entry to next week’s semifinal series at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, starting on Wednesday. Balmain led 9-8 after three quarters after trailing 7-6 at halftime but firstly Semmens and then former United States international Spencer Dornin and current Aussie Shark Anthony Martin scored that sparked the Breakers’ celebrations. The Breakers were not at full strength for the fly-in, fly-out victory, with several key players missing, including Aussie Shark Daniel Marsden, who also doubles as the team coach. Semmens netted twice against the team he played for most of his life and from where he rose to international status. Balmain, who was always going to finish fifth no matter the result, will play Perth’s Fremantle Mariners in the elimination finals series starting on Monday at the Peter Montgomery Pool, Sydney University. Result: Men: KFC Queensland Breakers 11 (A Martin 4, S Dornin 3, D Semmens 2, B Miller, M McCann) Balmain Tigers 9 (C Wright, A Roach 2, N Falzon, M Saville, G Woods, T Delany, T Martin).

 

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