Sydney (May 25).— KFC Queensland Breakers men and Fremantle Marlins women are one step away from winning National Water Polo League crowns.
They both won the opening games of the best-of-three gold-medal series at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre tonight.
The Breakers upset Sydney University Lions 9-7 thanks to a four-goal haul from United States international Spencer Dornin while Perth’s dual champions Fremantle Marlins beat Brisbane Barracudas 11-7.
The second matches will be played tomorrow afternoon and, should they be required, the third and deciding matches later in the afternoon.
The Breakers had the better finishing game against the perennial grand finalists and started to pull clear only midway through the final quarter.
Before that it was goal for goal with the lead changed several times.
Fremantle gained a 2-0 lead and maintained that margin well into the second quarter before closing at 7-4 ahead by halftime.
Brisbane twice came within two goals but Fremantle always had control in a match-up of two teams brimming full of international-quality athletes.
Three of the leading players suffered foul trouble with Brisbane’s Aussie Stingers captain Mel Rippon and Fremantle’s Gemma Beadsworth and Belinda Brooks on two fouls early.
In Beadsworth’s case she gained her two in the first quarter but all three managed to see out the match.
Results:
Men:
Grand Final 1: KFC Queensland Breakers 9 (S Dornin 4, D Marsden, B Miller, C Corbin, A Martin, D Semmens) Sydney University Lions 7 (T Franklin, G Richardson 2, N Cargill, R Maitland, K Mitchell). KFC Breakers lead series 1-0.
Women:
Grand Final 1: Fremantle Marlins 11 (Z Arancini 3, K Finucane, S Wheelock, B Brooks 2, G Ralph, L O'Halloran) Brisbane Barracudas 7 (K Gynther 3, M Rippon 2, A Miller, K Bryce). Fremantle leads series 1-0.
| KFC BREAKERS |
9
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QUARTER
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4
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| SYDNEY UNI LIONS |
7
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TIME |
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Men Grand Final 1: KFC Queensland Breakers v Sydney University Lions
(2-1, 2-3, 1-1, 4-2)
First half:
Mitchell wins ball for Sydney Uni; bad pass from Maitland loses ball; Corbin dumps ball; Dornin steals ball from Cargill; Semmens shot rebounds off Jones' head at 6:18 for 1-0; Marsden steals ball from Visch; Franklin steals ball off Marsden; Richardson draws exclusion on Jenkins; Franklin shot saved; Martin sc/a shot aved by Jones; Richardson shot saved by Sterk; Breakers steal ball off Cargill; Billy Miller pass to Marsden in cf and scores with one second left on possession for 2-0 at 3:11; Miller excluded and Richardson converts at 2:33 for 2-1; Dornin turns over; Young's 5m shot saved by Sterk; Birch's 7m shot deflected by Jones; Birch shoots over top; Hollis shoots wide after cross pass from Franklin; McCann drew penalty against Woudwyk at 0:10 and Martin dropped the ball to lose the opportunity.
Hollis wins ball for Lions; Franklin high pass to cf turned over; Jenkins cf backhand saved by Jones; Visch backhand saved by Sterk; Marsden loses the ball when three defenders swarm on to him; Mitchell levels on c/a at 6:08 -- 2-2; Jenkins gained exclusion on Woudwyk and Jenkins dragged back shot into Jones for deflection; time expires; Lions counter sees Young hit crossbar; Young deflects pass from Jenkins; Dornin intercepts pass to Woudwyk; Miller 5m shot deflected by Jones; Dornin with 7m shot at 2:54 for 3-2 lead; Franklin 7m shot hits upright; Breakers 30-second possession expires; Young passes to Cargill on 2m to convert at 1:30 for 3-3;Birch turns over in cf; Richardson converts counter with a bounce shot at 0:58 for 4-3 lead; Hollis excluded and Corbin converts for 4-4 at 0:26, bouncing off Jones' head again; Miller intercepts Maitland pass just before halftime.
Second half:
Miller wins swimup; McCann cf shot saved by Jones; Semmens intercepts; Jones steals ball from cf; Miller excluded on Visch for his second; Mitchell shot saved by Sterk; Votan dispossessed at cf; Jenkins excluded for his second and Franklin converts for 4-5 at 5:12; Richardson steals ball from cf; Young outside shot saved by Sterk; Martin cf shot hits top bar; Dornin steals ball; Mitchell steals ball from cf; Visch turnover; Maitland excluded and Dornin converts at 2:28 for 5-5; Martin steals ball; clock expires for Breakers; Corbin steals ball from cf; Martin kicked off and turned over; Young shot high after cross pass from Franklin; Marsden 7m shot saved by Jones; Martin steals ball from cf; time beats the KFC shot at three-quarter time.
Miller wins swim for KFC; Dornin turnover; Dornin excluded; Lions timeout; Maitland converts donut for 6-5 at 7:30; Miller with an outside shot levels at 6:59; Maitland lob shot high; Jones steals ball; Cargill shot high; Hollis excluded thanks to Martin and Martin converts at 5:29 for a 7-6 lead; Woudwyk turnover; Mitchell excluded and Dornin converts for a two-goal lead at 4:19 for 8-6; Martin intercepts; Young loses ball; Semmens steals; Dornin scores fourth goal for 9-6 lead at 2:10; Jenkins out of the game with third major; Martin blocks Franklin shot; Jones saves 1m shot from Birch; Semmens blocks shot; Maitland steals ball; Franklin scores 5m shot at 0:31, which proved to be the game.
Women's Gold Medal Final 1
Fremantle Marlins 11 Brisbane Barracudas 7 (3-2, 4-2, 1-1, 3-2)
First half report:
Jane Moran wins opening swim for Brisbane; Rippon shoots late; Brooks shoots high; Gynther has ball stolen at cf; Ralph scores from 7m for Freo at 6:07; Wikman shot blocked; Bryce excluded but Brooks shot hits bar and falls short; Brisbane loses ball; Miller excluded and Ralph bounce shot suckers; Grayson lob short and Knox saves; Beadsworth called for pushing off when scoring and then excluded for holding; Gynther shot deflected by Knox; Beadsworth second foul and Grayson shot hits post; Brooks scores on counter down the left at 2:00; Brisbane shot hits crossbar but Brisbane regains and Gynther scores from 5m free throw at 1:20; Finucane scores from outside for 3-1; Miller scores from outside for 3-2 to close the period. Neesham wins swim; ball stolen at cf; Wheelock fires ball high across Arancini who scores for 4-2; Wheelock excluded and Miller shoots into wood; Freo shot is short and Wheelock excluded again with Gynther swatting in rebound for 4-3 5:25; Freo offside; Wikman lobs over top; Finucane turns over ball; Moran has ball stolen at cf; Arancini lobs Tyler at 4:07 for 5-3; Brisbane loses ball; Chaves has shot blocked; Moran shot deflected and then Moran and Brooks out on double exclusion; Brisbane turns over ball; Rippon excluded for her second and Finucane snaps ball to O'Halloran who scores for 6-3 at 2:35; Brisbane wastes time; Ralph hits wood; Bryce scores from outside at 1:11 for 6-4;Brooks shoots wide from 9m; Moran has her shot saved by Knox; with time ticking down, Brooks sends in a twisting ball from the 6m mark at side of pool to score with three seconds remaining for 7-4; Gynther shot blocked to end quarter.
Second half report:
Ralph wins ball; Moran excluded but ball intercepted by Gynther; Gynther shoots high at end of possession;both teams have shots saved by goalkeepers;Gynther steal; Brooks out on second major and Rippon converts at 4:38 for 7-5; Bryce excluded and Ralph shot blocked;Gynther shot blocked; Beadsworth turns over ball; Moran shot at cf saved by Knox; Brooks long shot blocked; Wikman pass into cf intercepted by tipping hands; Wheelock lobs Tyler for 8-5 at 1:41; Rippon lon hits post, both teams have shots thwarted; Freo loses another; Gynther draws ejection on Finucane; Grayson shoots but shot blocked on hooter.
Moran wins ball for Barras; Rippon scores on short pass at 7:44 for 8-6; Gynther steal; Rippon hits wood and Moran regains; Rippon lob goes wide right; Ralph shot has no length; Arancini ejected; Wikman shot saved by Knox;Gynther lob at end of possession caught by Knox; Freo turns over in middle of pool; Bryce hits right wood; Beadsworth 9m shot wide; Brisbane turnover; Beadsworth into guarded Finucane who flips ball right to Arancini who balances ball and scores from wide for 9-6 at 3:22; Both teams lose ball and Gynther lobs Knox who tips on to line rope; Gynther shot off Rippon pass saved; Freo has timeout at 2:07; Pass into cf and Finucane scores for 10-6 at 1:52;Gynther scores from the top for 10-7 at 2:07; Freo wastes ball;Wheelock scores on counter at 0:45 for 11-7; Bryce lobs high; Freo wastes ball and despite a shot from each side, that was it.
FINALS NIGHT FUNCTION
Harold Park Paceway, Saturday from 7pm. Tickets available from Peter Hobday ONLY. Ticketed affair and no sales at the door.
        
   
Results:
MAY 25:
Men:
Grand Final 1: KFC Queensland Breakers (S Dornin 4, D Marsden, B Miller, A Martin, D Semmens) Sydney University Lions 7 (T Franklin, G Richardson 2, N Cargill, R Maitland, K Mitchell). KFC Breakers lead series 1-0.
Women:
Grand Final 1: Fremantle Marlins 11 (Z Arancini 3, K Finucane, S Wheelock, B Brooks 2, G Ralph, L O'Halloran) Brisbane Barracudas 7 (K Gynther 3, M Rippon 2, A Miller, K Bryce). Fremantle leads series 1-0.
MAY 24:
Men:
Semifinal A2: Fremantle Mariners 14 (J Swift 3, N O'Halloran, T Seress, M Ainsworth 2, T Cleland, P Tresise, D Lawrence, J Dodd, A Richardson) KFC Queensland Breakers 4 (D Marsden 2, J Votan, S Dornin). Series tied 1-1.
Semifinal B2: Sydney University Lions 10 (R Maitland, G Richardson, A Visch 2, T Franklin, L Hollis, T Woudwyk, K Mitchell) Wests waterpolo Magpies 9 (J Cotterill, S Cody, M Turnbull 2, R Campbell, D Stein, D Streets) 1:49 into sudden death (FT: 9-9. ET: 9-9). Sydney University wins series 2-0.
Semifinal A3: KFC Queensland Breakers 9 (S Dornin 3, A Martin 2, D Marsden, B Miller, C Corbin, S Robertson) Fremantle Mariners 7 (T Cleland 2, N O'Halloran, T Seress, T Neesham, M Ainsworth, D Lawrence). KFC wins series 2-1.
Women:
Semifinal A2: Sydney University Lions 10 (M Hammond 3, N Cuffe, K Gofers 2, A Russell, L Robertson, J Whitehorn) Brisbane Barracudas 9 (K Gynther 4, S Smith, C Grayson 2, K Bryce). Series tied 1-1.
Semifinal B2: KFC Queensland Breakers 13 (A Hetzel 5, S Fraser 3, S Mills 2, N McCarthy, B Knox, K Miller) Fremantle Marlins 12 (K Finucane 3, G Beadsworth, S Wheelock, G Ralph 2, L Chaves, B Brooks, Z Arancini). Series tied 1-1.
Semifinal A3: Brisbane Barracudas 12 (J Moran 4, K Gynther 3, M Rippon 2, A Miller, E Keogh, C Miller) Sydney University Lions 11 (J Whitehorn, M Hammond 3, K Gofers 2, L Robertson, N Cuffe, S Cuffe) in extra time (FT: 10-10). Brisbane wins series 2-1.Semifinal B3: Fremantle Marlins 9 (K Finucane 4, G Beadsworth, S Wheelock, B Brooks, G Ralph, Z Arancini) KFC Queensland Breakers 7 (S Fraser, A Miller, A Hetzel 2, B Knox). Fremantle wins series 2-1.
MAY 23:
Men:
Semifinal A1: KFC Queensland Breakers 8 (B Miller, S Dornin 2, C Corbin, T Jenkins, A Martin, M McCann) Fremantle Mariners 7 (T Neesham 3, N O'Halloran, D Lawrence, M Ainsworth, A Richardson) at 2:59 into sudden death (FT: 6-6. EXT 7-7). KFC leads series 1-0.
Semifinal B1: Sydney University Lions 14 (G Richardson, T Woudwyk 3, T Franklin, R Maitland, J Young 2, L Hollis, K Mitchell) Wests waterpolo Magpies 13 (J Cotterill 4, R Campbell, D Stein 3, T Marks, S Cody, D Streets). Sydney University leads series 1-0.
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
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