 Sydney (May 26).— KFC Queensland Breakers men and Fremantle Marlins women won National Water Polo League crowns at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre today.
For the Breakers it was their first taste of victory since entering the
league in 2003 while for the Marlins its was a third crown in four
years.
Minor premiers Wests waterpolo Magpies won bronze over outgoing premier
Fremantle Mariners, denying the Perth team their first event with no
medal in 11 years after playing 10 consecutive grand-final series.
The Breakers went two straight in the best-of-three series against
three-time champions Sydney University Lions, winning Friday’s clash
9-7 and closing with an 8-6 margin in the second encounter.
The Marlins also won their series 2-0, against Brisbane Barracudas
winning Friday’s clash 11-7 and cruising to a 14-9 victory in the
second match.
The Breakers women won the bronze medal with a tight 8-7 duel with Sydney University Lions.
Results:
Men:
Gold medal final 2: KFC Queensland Breakers 8 (A Martin 3, D Marsden, S
Dornin 2, D Semmens) Sydney University Lions 6 (T Franklin, T Woudwyk,
L Hollis, G Richardson, K Mitchell, A Visch). KFC wins series 2-0.
Bronze medal final: Wests waterpolo Magpies 14 (D Streets, J Cotterill
4, R Campbell, D Stein 2, D Swinnerton, M Turnbull) Fremantle Mariners
9 (N O'Halloran, T Neesham 2, T Cleland, T Seress, P Tresise, J Swift,
M Ainsworth).
Women:
Gold medal final 2: Fremantle Marlins 11 (K Finucane, G Ralph 3, G
Beadsworth, B Brooks 2, L O'Halloran) Brisbane Barracudas 6 (K Gynther
3, G Wikman, J Moran, C Miller). Fremantle wins series 2-0.
Bronze medal final: KFC Queensland Breakers 8 (N McCarthy 3, S Fraser
2, L Hawkins, B Knox, A Hetzel) Sydney University Lions 7 (N Cuffe, J
Whitehorn 2, L Robertson, K Gofers, M Hammond).
Men Gold Medal 2:
KFC Queensland Breakers 8 Sydney University Lions 6
First half:
Jenkins excluded and then at other end he gains exclusion on
Richardson; Dornin converts as he usually does on extra for 1-0 at
6:12; Marsden pressures Maitland to lose the ball; Jones stops Birch
shot from 2m; Richardson shot tipped wide; Jones stops shot; Franklin
shot saved by best goalkeeper at tournament, Raf Sterk; Birch shot
dragged down by Jones; Franklin cf shot high; Marsden scores immaculate
cf lob on Jones for 2-0 at 2:46; offensive by Lions; Franklin steal;
Corbin ejected for hitting head and Franklin converts at 1:52 for 2-1;
Corbin draws exclusion on Woudwyk and Jenkins shot goes just outside
right post; Maitland backhand into Sterk and then he gets ejected on
pullback; Corbin shot blocked; Cargill shot on hooter saved by Sterk.
Hollis wins swim for ball; two shots by Lions with Franklin's effort
hitting right upright and dribbling along line but not in; Semmens'
shot really a passs to Jones at end of possession; Richardson shot
rebounds to Cargill who is dragged back by Hollis and gains a penalty
which Richardson shoots high into crossbar; Cargill excluded and Martin
tip-on shot saved by Jones but Marsden regains; Robertson shoots high
and right; Robertson excluded; Dornin steals off Maitland; Visch
steals; Corbin excluded for his second and Richardson shot blocked and
then Franklin sends it into Sterk;on counter Martin backhands for 3-1
at 3:01; Mitchell shot saved and Maitland rebound shot off wood;
turnover by Breakers and Birch was excluded and fouled for penalty;
Cargill hits both posts but no goal at 2:14; Young excluded and Martin
scores over head for 4-1 at 1:46; Woudwyk shoots over head at cf;
Dornin has shot deflected by Jones; Franklin excluded and Miller
bounces over top; Sterk deflect; Semmens steal and Jones makes
long-shot save.
Second half:
Votan excluded and Mitchell scores on extra for 4-2 at 7:02; Jones
saves; Marsden loses ball at cf; Young excluded and Jenkins recives
ball too high and inside 2m; Hollis lobs into bar on counter; Miller
hits bar from 7m; turnover; Hollis excluded and then Cargill; Dornin
shoots and Jones saves, Dornin shoots and blocked; KFC still has ball;
Miller loses thanks to Richardson;
Visch scores from deep right for 4-3 at 2:13; Semmens' 7m shot
deflected by Jones; Dornin hits bar; Cargill shoots wide; Brisbane shot
off bar; Dornin shot saved by Jones; Franklin takes ball under on time.
Miller wins swim for Breakers; Marsden loses ball in cf swarm; Hollis
loses ball; Marsden outside shot bounces over; Richardson hammers in a
backhand like a helicopter against Semmens for 4-4 at 6:21; Sterk saves
Franlin shot from wide; Semmens shoots off left post and Cargill goes
on counter losing ball at 2m; Visch excluded and Dornin converts for
5-4 at 4:35; Visch shoots high; Semmens scores from centre forward when
heavily defended with easy lob for 6-4 at 3:52; Woudwyk responds with
cf backhand at 3:25 for 6-5; Cargill goes for third major and Marsden
converts at 2:49 for 7-5; Martin excluded for his second major and
Lions have a timeout at 2:32;inside ball to Maitland stolen; Martin
shot saved; Dorning excluded and shot goes over top thanks to a
defender; Martin sealed the goal when he was left by heimself in the
half with Woudwyk guarding -- he worked, turned, drove, worked and
snapped in the ball for 8-5 at 0:58; Young shot blocked but he drove
and tghen took another shot from point blank into Sterk; KFC calls
timeout at 0:18 and change team for final attack; Richardson steals and
Hollis send it in off the post at 0:03; KFC controls for an historic
first title.
12:00, Women Gold Medal 2:
Brisbane Barracudas v Fremantle Marlins (2-5, 2-3, 2-1, 0-2)
First half:
Freo wins ball, Wikman excluded and Brooks converts for 0-1 at
6:35; Arancini excluded and Miller converts at 6:07 for 1-1; Freo loses
ball and Moran hits wood at other end; Freo turnover; Gynther hits
wood; Wikman gains second major and Ralph scores from the top at 4:14
for 1-2; ball stolen by Freo; Freo loses ball; Gynther shot saved by
Knox; Beadsworth backhander deflected by Tyler and Finucane shot high;
Brooks steals for Freo; Beadsworth draws exclusion on Rippon; Miller
also excluded and Finucane converts on double extra for 3-1 at 1:58;
Keogh turns over and Ralph lobs for 4-1 at other end at 1:31; Wheelock
excluded and Gynther converts at 1:13; Ralph lobs high; Rippon bounces
and hits crossbar but no goal; big shot from outside by Brooks for 5-2
at 0:09.
Ralph wins ball; Gynther excluded and Brooks shot goes off left post to
Freo player but lost; Rippon outside shot saved by Knox; Rippon loses
ball at cf; Finucane turns and scores at 6:14 for 6-2; Neilsen excluded
and Wikman converts from the top at 5:44 for 6-3; Knox saves Gynther
shot; Finucane turns over; Wheelock gains second major, drawn by Rippon
and Gynther shot blocked; Beadsworth turns and scores from cf at 3:28
for 7-3; Moran cf shot saved by Knox; Freo turns over; Gynther scores
off a long pass on counter at 2:27 for 7-4; Freo turns over; Beadsworth
excluded and Moran shot saved by Knox; Moran excluded Finucane strikes
off near post for 8-4 at 1:06; weak Robinson shot saved by Knox; big
halfway shot from Ralph wide; Gynther final shot saved by Knox.
Second half:
Arancini gains her third major on penalty at the start of the third
quarter; Gynther hits right post and Gynther recovers, sets and lobs
into top right for 8-5 at 7:19;
Freo loses and KFC loses; big Bryce shot goes left of goal; Bryce
gives up penalty foul and Beadsworth converts past Jackson who took
over goalie reins at halftime; Freo leads 9-5 at 5:56; Gynther shoots
off a cross pass but could not get ball cleanly and it rolls into the
line; Wheelock gains third major foul with offensive and Barracudas
take timeout at 5:17; Moran picks up rebound and scores at 4:54 for
9-6; Bryce gains her second major and Finucane hits crossbar out of
pool; Brisbane turns over; Ralph lob saved; Chaves excluded on offence;
Knox saves Gynther shot at end of extra; ball lost in hole but Moran
unlucky not to score; offensive on Marlins; Knox saves shot; Freo runs
out of time just as Finucane clear; Knox deflects; Keogh shoots high;
Freo loses ball on wayward pass; offensive on Keogh; full press by
Brisbane; Finucane shot high; Gynther dispossessed; Fremantle works
under full press; Finucane shoots from 14m but wide; no time for
Brisbane to shoot.
Marlins win swim-off; Beadsworth dumps; Ralph intercepts pass; Miller
excluded for interferring with free throw; Brooks shot saved by Jackson
and the next one as well; Brisbane turns over; Keogh and Beadsworth
excluded on double, third for Miller, second for Beadsworth; Ralph lobs
Jackson for 10-6 and her third at 5:50; Ralph excluded but Moran turns
over ball; offsensive on Brooks and goal disallowed; Gynther turns
over; Chaves shoots, saved and regains; Beadsworth shot at end of
possession high; Grayson stops Knox shot from point blank; Freo wastes
ball; Chaves excluded and Brisbane has timeout at 3:20; Rippon shoots
from top but hits crossbar; Beadsworth dumps into corner but it allows
Brisbane more time up front; Moran shot saved by Knox, the star of the
match; Neesham excluded and Gynther shot saved by Knox; Wikman excluded
for her third and Freo goes to a timeout; O'Halloran scores from bottom
right at 1:26 to seal the game at 11-6; ball wasted by Freo; Gynther
shot off post and the game was over with Marlins winning their third
title in four years.
10:15, Men Bronze Medal play-off:
Fremantle Mariners v Wests waterpolo Magpies (2-3, 4-6, 2-2, 1-3)
First half:
Lots of shooting with no success; Streets scores with left arm on
action at 5:07; Ainsworth didn't follow and Swinnerton sat up and
scored for 2-0 at 4:31; Campbell scores the third from the top at 3:45
for 3-0; Cody excluded and Seress passes into Tresise on near post for
3-1 at 3:24; O'Halloran scores for 3-2 at 2:09; Ainsworth excluded and
Graham shot bounces into crossbar and lost.
Cotterill opens the second quarter at 7:21 on counter for 4-2; Campbell
gives up penalty and Ainsworth shoots high and scores off crossbar for
4-3 at 7:02; Cleland gives up penalty and Canadian Stein converts over
Stanton's head at 6:46 for 5-3; Neesham excluded but shot not good
enough; Cotterill finds a gap on the deep right for 6-3 at 5:25;
O'Halloran scores on a three-on-one counter at 4:05 for 6-4; Neesham
converts 5m foul shot at 3:23 for 6-5; Stein earns penalty on Cleland
at 2:59 and Cotterill converts for 7-5; Swift stupidly pulls back and
then allows Cotterill to shoot; beautiful Freo counter, Stanton up
right to Neesham, left to Tresise and cross cage to Cleland for 8-6 at
1:05; Streets bouncer off cross pass from Campbell for 9-6 at 0:13.
Second half:
Neesham opens the second half with a turning shot from cf over
Dennerley's head at 6:00; Tresise excluded, Cotterill shot saved by
Stanton and rebounds to Wests; break and Tresise called for illegal
re-entry; Streets takes penalty and shoots high off crossbar for 10-7
at 5:27; Tresise gains third major and Turnbull converts at 3:04 for
11-7; Turnbull ejected and Seress converts at 2:33 for 11-8.
Wests starts and Stein turns at cf for great goal and 12-8 at 7:32;
Richard Campbell on counter makes it 13-8 at 6:58; Cody ejected and
Fremantle takes a timeout; Lawrence and then Swift shots blocked and
high; Swift gets pass from Neesham and scores off cf at 3:51 for 13-9;
Fremantle's bench players all getting a run at the same time; Kovalenko
exclusion and Wests timeout at 2:08; Fremantle top team back in;
Streets converts from deep right at 1:52 for 14-9; Wests changes
players on tineout at 1:33; Campbell excluded but Johnson shot blocked.
08:30, Women Bronze Medal play-off:
Sydney University Lions 7 KFC Queensland Breakers 8 (2-2, 2-3, 2-0, 1-3)
First half:
Suzie Fraser opened the action at 6:51 for the Breakers; Russell
excluded but McCarthy shot blocked;Gofers excluded but Mills shot saved
by Ingle; McCarthy gives up a penalty and Mel Hammond converts at 3:31
for 1-1; Nik Cuffe claims a beautiful cf turn goal with a lob at 2:06
for 1-2; Hetzel blast from 7m for 2-2 at 0:57.
In the second quarter, Cox was excluded but McCarthy's shot was saved;
Whitehorn scored a classic push shot for the 3-2 lead at 5:36; McCarthy
scored from outside for 3-3 at 4:27 and Cuffe replied at 4:07 for Lions
lead; Gofers excluded but McCarthy shot blocked; Knox scores from turn
at cf for 4-4 at 0:56; Sasha Cuffe gives up penaltu and McCarthy scores
at 0:37 for 5-4.
Second half:
Robertson opened the second-half scoring on counter at 7:32 for 5-5; Keesja Gofers on the counter for 6-5 at 0:54.
Horgan was excluded at the start of the fourth period and Whitehorn's
shot saved by Young; Mills went on the counter and scored at 6:21 for
6-6; McCarthy grabs her third with a lob at 4:46 for a 7-6 Breakers
lead; great Horgan break thwarted; Hetzel excluded and Lions take a
timeout; Whitehorn scores on extra after series of deep cross passes at
3:55 for 7-7; Mel Hammond gives up penalty and Mills shoots slowly low
into Ingle's hand; Horgan misses sitter on c/a; Sydney Uni uses second
timeout; Fraser scores on cross pass at 1:00 for 8-7; Breakers go to
timeout at 0:45; Breakers waste time; Whitehorn misses pass and KFC
swims away with ball to win bronze medal.
For finals pictures, check out www.pearsephotography.com.au
Results:
MAY 26:
Men:
Gold medal final 2: KFC Queensland Breakers 8 (A Martin 3, D Marsden, S Dornin 2, D Semmens) Sydney University Lions 6 (T Franklin, T Woudwyk, L Hollis, G Richardson, K Mitchell, A Visch). KFC wins series 2-0.
Bronze medal final: Wests waterpolo Magpies 14 (D Streets, J Cotterill 4, R Campbell, D Stein 2, D Swinnerton, M Turnbull) Fremantle Mariners 9 (N O'Halloran, T Neesham 2, T Cleland, T Seress, P Tresise, J Swift, M Ainsworth).
Women:
Gold medal final 2: Fremantle Marlins 11 (K Finucane, G Ralph 3, G Beadsworth, B Brooks 2, L O'Halloran) Brisbane Barracudas 6 (K Gynther 3, G Wikman, J Moran, C Miller). Fremantle wins series 2-0.
Bronze medal final: KFC Queensland Breakers 8 (N McCarthy 3, S Fraser 2, L Hawkins, B Knox, A Hetzel) Sydney University Lions 7 (N Cuffe, J Whitehorn 2, L Robertson, K Gofers, M Hammond).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
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).
|