Cuffe harvested a staggering eight goals as she tried to keep her Sydney University Lions team in the first game of the best-of-three series against the lower-ranked Barracudas. Even her opening hat-trick, which had the Lions 3-0 up in less than two minutes, was not enough. Cuffe was everywhere but especially commanded the area in front of the cage where she was most devastating.
The Brisbane attack centred on international team-mates Sophie Smith and Mel Rippon, scoring seven of the goals and there could have been more if some of Smith’s missiles had been on target.
The game was locked at 10-all at the final break after each team had the lead by a goal after the first two quarters.
Then the Barracudas blew the game open with four goals in exactly three minutes at the top of the fourth to set up the victory.
Minor premiers and double champions Fremantle Marlins from Perth looked a little rusty against KFC Queensland Breakers but turned a close first half into a relatively easy 9-5 victory.
Aussie Stingers star Gemma Beadsworth turned on the skills with four goals, including a superb turn and lob later in the match.
Glencora Ralph found her aim from outside on three occasions and goalkeeper Emma Knox was more than solid.

Today's programme to come:
6:45pm, Men semifinal A1:
KFC Queensland Breakers v Fremantle Mariners
8:15pm, Men semifinal B1:
Wests waterpolo Magpies v Sydney University Lions

Results:

MAY 23:
Women:
Semifinal A1: Brisbane Barracudas 14 (S Smith 4, M Rippon 3, J Moran, K Gynther 2, G Wikman, C Grayson, K Bryce) Sydney University 12 (N Cuffe 8, M Hammond 2, L Robertson, K Gofers). Brisbane leads series 1-0.
Semifinal B1: Fremantle Marlins 9 (G Beadsworth 4, G Ralph 3, K Finucane 2) KFC Queensland Breakers 5 (N McCarthy, S Fraser, B Knox, S Mills, K Miller). Fremantle leads series 1-0.

MAY 22:
Men
Elimination Final A2: Sydney University Lions 9 (N Cargill 3, J Young, A Visch 2, G Richardson, T Woudwyk) Victorian Tigers 7 (R Moody, I Lark 2, L Gavin, C Gronow, T Birkett).
Elimination final B2: Fremantle Mariners 11 (P Tresise, T Neesham, D Lawrence, M Ainsworth 2, N O’Halloran, A Younger, A Richardson) Balmain Tigers 5 (T Delany 4, G Woods). Fremantle wins series 2-0.
Elimination Final A3: Sydney University Lions 9 (T Franklin 3, G Richardson, A Visch 2, R Maitland, K Mitchell) Victorian Tigers 5 (A Feltham 2, C Gronow, A Edwards). Lions win series 2-1.
Women
Elimination Final A2: KFC Queensland Breakers 9 (B Knox 3, S Horgan, N McCarthy, S Fraser, S Mills, A Hetzel, K Miller) Balmain Tigers 8 (T Woods 5, L Simms, L Varlow, A Turnbull). KFC wins series 2-0.
Elimination Final B2: Brisbane Barracudas 10 (J Moran 3, K Bryce, K Gynther, E Keogh 2, M Rippon) Cronulla Sharks 9 (J Liessmann, J Santoromito 2, B Appel, H Lincoln-Smith, A Miller, E Douglass, K Gruber) in extra time. FT:8-8.
Elimination Final B3: Brisbane Barracudas 10 (J Moran 3, M Rippon 2, S Smith, C Grayson, K Bryce, K Gynther, E Keogh) Cronulla Sharks 8 (H Lincoln-Smith 3, B Appel, J Liessmann, J Santoromito, E Douglass, K Douglass). Brisbane wins series 2-1.

MAY 21:
Men:
Elimination Final A1: Victorian Tigers 10 (A Schoneberger 3, L Gavin 2, R Moody, A Feltham, S Boyd, C Gronow, S Lewis) Sydney University Lions 9 (A Visch 3, T Franklin, G Richardson 2, R Maitland, L Hollis).
Elimination final B1: Fremantle Mariners 12 (P Tresise, M Ainsworth 3, T Seress, T Neesham 2, T Cleland, A Richardson) Balmain Tigers 11 (G Woods 4, N Falzon, C Dyson, T Delany 2, A Laws).  Women:
Elimination Final A1: KFC Queensland Breakers 15 (B Knox 5, S Mills 3, N McCarthy, A Hetzel, K Miller 2, S Horgan) Balmain Tigers 10 (T Woods 4, L Simms, A Turnbull 2, N Dyson, N Saville). Elimination Final B1: Cronulla Sharks 17 (B Appel 4, J Santoromito, N Zagame, K Gruber 3, H Lincoln-Smith, J Liessmann, E Douglass, C Kerr) Brisbane Barracudas 15 (K Gynther 5, S Smith 4, J Moran, M Rippon 3).

For finals pictures, check out www.pearsephotography.com.au