The Jets beat the higher-fancied Breakers 8-7 on Sunday thanks to six Callahan goals but she only scored once in the return match as the Jets took maximum points from their two opening games of the season with a 10-9 decision.

Callahan, a silver medallist from last year’s FINA World League Super Finals, was marked closely throughout.

As on Sunday the Jets had to come from behind, five times levelling the game and only taking the lead with just over a minute remaining through a Sophie Ricketts penalty goal, gained through an illegal timeout call by the Breakers.

The champion Breakers men were once again too good for the Jets, winning 15-8 with veteran Daniel Marsden and Glen Griffith shooting four goals each.

The debutant Drummoyne Devils gained their second win in consecutive days in Sydney with a handsome 17-7 advantage over Brisbane Barracudas with Sydney Olympian Sean Boyd gaining three goals for his new club.

China demolished Hunter Hurricanes18-4 in Newcastle with Sun Yujun scoring four for the internationals.

In Perth, UWA Torpedoes led all the way over Cronulla Sharks, finishing 8-6 up while Cronulla women gained a second win over UWA Comets, 16-10.

NWPL results:
Men:
In Sydney: Drummoyne Devils 17 (S Avallone, S Boyd 3, M Emery, G Richardson, I Bosnic 2, D Semmens, J Miller, A Roach, T Martin, J Ramirez) Brisbane Barracudas 7 (R Howden 4, D Gynther, BJ Howden, S Gynther).
In Adelaide: KFC Queensland Breakers 15 (D Marsden, G Griffith 4, A Martin 3, T Jenkins 2, D Will, S Robinson) Adelaide Jets 8 (J McKown, M Richardson 2, L Vezzosi, T Martin, P Harmer, T Dayman).
In Perth: UWA Torpedoes 8 (J Balczer 4, B McCleery 2, B McGhie, R Whaitiri) Cronulla Sharks 6 (R Tracy 3, M Timilty, S Mackenzie, T Brown).
Women:
In Newcastle: China 18 (Sun Yujun 4, Sun Yating 3, Ma Huanhuan, Sun Huizi, Qiao Leiying 2, Teng Fei, Liu Ping, He Jin, Mo Fengmin, Wang Yi) Hunter Hurricanes 4 (E Goodwin 2, N McJannet, B Russell).
In Adelaide: Adelaide Jets 10 (S Ricketts, J Martin, J Bowen 2, P Terry, T Kearney, L Callahan, J Green) KFC Queensland Breakers 9 (K Miller 3, S Hogan, J Taylor 2, A Richardson, S Farquhar).
In Perth: Cronulla Sharks 16 (H Lincoln-Smith, B Appel 4, N Zagame, S Davie, B Santoromito 2, J Liessmann, E Hamilton-Foster) UWA Comets 10 (J Dessauvagie 7, Z Hadley, C Pearce).

Newcomers blaze to glory in NWPL
Newcastle (January 28).—
Newcomers blazed a path to glory with victories in National Water Polo League matches yesterday.
Balmain-Brisbane photos below

The national women’s team of China shot to a 15-5 margin over Hunter Hurricanes in Newcastle while the Drummoyne Devils men eclipsed 2007 minor premiers Wests Magpies 8-5 at Ashfield in Sydney.

The much-heralded arrival of China proved a valuable pointer for games to come as it turned an 8-2 halftime lead into a comfortable decision.

The Chinese team, who competed at the junior world championships last year, finishing second to Australia, will be a hard team for any NWPL to crack as it prepares to host the Olympic competition.

Gao Ao starred for China with three of her four goals in the opening quarter.

At Ashfield, one of the nation’s biggest clubs made its debut, having to come from 5-1 down midway through the second quarter to snatch a three-goal win.

Spurred on by two late backhand goals from former international Sean Boyd, the Devils drew away strongly proving that their Sydney premiership win was no fluke.

Balmain Tigers backed up their Australia Day efforts with return victories over Brisbane Barracudas, the men winning 14-3 and the women 9-4.

In Adelaide, the Adelaide Jets women created an upset with six-goal heroine Lisa Callahan surging her team to an 8-7 victory over the KFC Queensland Breakers.

The Jets came from 5-4 down to 8-5 ahead thanks in part to three Callahan goals.

The Breakers men, however, gained revenge with a 12-2 victory after the game was closely poised at halftime.

Details from Fremantle's games not supplied. 

Results:
Men:
In Sydney: Drummoyne Devils 8 (M Emery, S Boyd 2, A Roach, G Richardson, T Martin, S Avallone) Wests Magpies 5 (T Delany, T Blewitt, N Ling, R O’Brien, C Eames), Balmain 14 (G Woods 4, C Dyson, J Falzon 3, N Falzon 2, M Saville, M Lazic) Brisbane Barracudas 3 (R Howden, BJ Howden, M Giles).
In Adelaide: KFC Queensland Breakers 12 (A Martin 5, S Robertson 3, D Marsden 2, T Jenkins, J Votan) Adelaide Jets 2 (L Vezzosi, P Harmer).
Women:
In Newcastle: China 15 (Gao Ao 4, Teng Fei, Sun Yating, Sun Huizi 2, He Jin, Liu Ping, Sun Yujin, Wang Yi, Qiao Leiying) Newcastle Hurricanes 5 (N McJannet 2, E Goodwin, C Ta’avale, A Hatcher).
In Sydney: Balmain Tigers 9 (L Higlett, L Simms, T Woods, A Bower 2, E Barnes) Brisbane Barracudas 4 (N Pavanello 2, N Stoltz, A Miller).
In Adelaide: Adelaide Jets 8 (A Callahan 6, E Dearman, S Murphy) KFC Queensland Breakers 7 (A Richardson 2, K Miller, A Brinley, J Ewart, E Bowden, S Farquhar).

Late penalty goals secure two draws in NWPL men's matches
Sydney (January 27).—
Penalty goals proved to be decisive factors in two National Water Polo League games around the country yesterday. Sydney University Lions’ Trent Franklin secured one inside the last two minutes for a 10-all decision with Wests Magpies at Ashfield while in Perth, Cronulla Sharks’ Scott Mackenzie claimed a 5-all equaliser with UWA Torpedoes with just two seconds remaining in the game.

For some years the NWPL played all games to a result but draws were re-introduced last season.

Multi champion Sydney Uni will be thankful for the draw while Wests will be ruing goalkeeper Robin Randall’s mistake that allowed Franklin to get back into the game after controlling much of the time and only conceding the lead midway through the last period.

UWA Torpedoes and Cronulla were close all game and a Brad Mercer backhand seemed to seal the game for the home team in the last half-minute before Mackenzie equalised.

UWA Comets women played magnificently before dropping a few goals late in the match with Cronulla, going down 10-8 to the 2006 champion.

Balmain Tigers scored a double against Brisbane Barracudas with the men winning 12-7 and the women 13-6.
Sydney Olympic champions Bronwyn Smith and Taryn Woods scored seven of Balmain’s goals proving experience pays.

In Melbourne, Victorian Tigers women has a second big win against KFC Breakers — 14-3 — while the champion Breakers men closed out the Tigers 7-3.

Results:
Men:
In Sydney: Wests Magpies 10 (T Delany, R O’Brien 3, S Cody 2, T Blewitt, N Ling) Sydney University Lions 10 (N Cargill, T Franklin, B Turner 2, J Young, T Woudwyk, J Davie, A Visch), Balmain Tigers 12 (C Dyson 4, N Falzon, M Saville, G Woods 2, C Wright, M Lazic) Brisbane Barracudas 7 (C Williamson 3, R Howden, D Young).
In Melbourne: KFC Queensland Breakers 7 (A Martin 3, D Hill, C Corbin, T Jenkins, S Robertson) Victorian Tigers 3 (C Gronow, T Neesham, J Thompson).
In Perth: UWA Torpedoes 5 (B Mercer 3, J Balczer, T Jasper) Cronulla Sharks 5 (S Mackenzie 2, M Timilty, B Ient, R Tracy).
Women:
In Sydney: Balmain Tigers 13 (B Smith 4, T Woods 3, L Higlett 2, L Varlow, E Sims, N Saville, A Bower) Brisbane Barracudas 6 (N Pavanello, N Stoltz, H Robinson, C Miller, JL Lewis, A Russell).
In Melbourne: Victorian Tigers 14 (R Webster 5, L Webster, A Van Ommen, K Wilkinson 2, C Banks, S Langley, R McGuinness) KFC Queensland Breakers 3 (K Bertwistle, S Hogan, A Richardson).
In Perth: Cronulla Sharks 10 (J Liessmann, N Zagame 3, H Lincoln-Smith 2, A King, S Davie) UWA Comets 8 (J Dessauvagie 5, C Ainsworth 2, M Hausmann).

Action from the Balmain-Brisbane serie at Dawn Fraser Pool courtesy of Pearse Photography. 

Nomad Marsden on fire against Victorian Tigers
Melbourne (January 26).—
Water polo nomad Daniel Marsden proves he still has the game to mix it with players half his age in the National Water Polo League. Marsden (37, pictured) scored twice as his KFC Queensland Breakers team beat Victorian Tigers 7-6 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre last night.

Ironically, Marsden, who captained Australia at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and played 230 internationals, had formerly played for the Tigers in his long NWPL career that also saw stints at Sydney and Canberra clubs as well as Brisbane Barracudas. 

The other player to score twice in the tight encounter was former Fremantle Mariners star Tim Neesham, who has switched to the Tigers this season and played with Marsden at the Sydney Olympics.
The Tigers women beat the Breakers 13-7 thanks to four goals from Rowena Webster.

In Newcastle, the Hunter Hurricanes men continued their dominance of Brisbane Barracudas with a 14-5 win while the women lost to Brisbane 9-7 in a much closer game than the night before.

In Perth, four-time champions Fremantle Mariners men blew Cronulla Sharks out of the water 22-3 and women’s champions Fremantle Marlins held off a determined Cronulla 13-11.

The highlight of tomorrow’s matches will be the Drummoyne Devils’ debut in the NWPL when they clash with Wests Magpies men at Ashfield.

The Devils are captained by Aussie Shark Grant Richardson, who originally hailed from Adelaide, and coached by four-time Olympian Ray Mayers, a Drummoyne product.

Results:
Men:
In Newcastle: Hunter Hurricanes 14 (M Baird, N Campbell, S Berry, P Reid, E Deloraine, R Sinclair 2, B Callander, J Johnson) Brisbane Barracudas 5 (R Howden 3, K Smoker, D Young).
In Melbourne: KFC Queensland Breakers 7 (D Marsden 2, C Corbin, A Martin, T Knox, S Robertson, G Griffith) Victorian Tigers 6 (T Neesham 2, T Curwen, M Bridgeman, I Lark, M Corr).
In Perth: Fremantle Mariners 22 (J Beadsworth 5, T Seress 4, T Cleland 3, J Neesham, A Younger, D Lawrence, G Nicholson 2, S Kovalenko, J Dodd) Cronulla Sharks 3 (S McKenzie, T Brown, R Tracy).
Women:
In Newcastle: Brisbane Barracudas 9 (N Pavanello, E Keogh 2, N Stoltz, K Bryce, C Miller, A Miller, A Russell) Hunter Hurricanes 7 (N McJannet 4, B Russell 2, C Ellis).
In Melbourne: Victorian Tigers 13 (R Webster 4, A Gronow 2, L Webster, J Hanson, C Henderson, C Dowling, L Baldwin, R McGuinness, K Wilkinson) KFC Queensland Breakers 7 (K Miller 3, A Richardson 2, A Brinley, S Farquhar).
In Perth: Fremantle Marlins 13 (B Brooks, G Ralph 4, E Neesham, Z Arancini 2, S Wheelock) Cronulla Sharks 11 (H Lincoln-Smith 5, J Liessmann 3, N Zagame, S Davie, E Hamilton-Foster).

Wests beats Balmain in NWPL opener
Sydney (January 25).—
A rejuvenated Wests waterpolo Magpies kicked off the 2008 National Water Polo Leagues eason with an upset 7-5 victory over Balmain Tigers men at Ashfield Pool last night.

Spurred on by former Hungarian Bela Krasznai with four goals, Wests trailed for much of the match, only gaining the lead for the first time late in the third quarter.

Krasznai scored two goals on extra-man and two from the penalty line.

Wests has had a bid shake-up in its personnel from last year and is missing star shooter Richard Campbell, who is on contract in Europe.

In Newcastle, Hunter Hurricanes hosted Brisbane Barracudas with mixed results,

Hunter men shut out the Barracudas 12-6 with eight players making the scoresheet for the victors.

A Ross Sinclair double in the third quarter helped surge Hunter to 10-4 at the final break and gave him three for the match.

Aussie Shark Rhys Howden led the Barracudas with three goals in a game where the Barracudas trailed by just one goal early in the third spell.

The Barracudas women, without stars Mel Rippon, Kate Gynther and Sophie Smith who are in Europe on international assignment, shook off Hunter by halftime and went from 6-3 to 10-6.

Brisbane goalkeeper Emma Jackson covered herself with glory and Amanda Russell led scorers with three goals.

The NWPL continues with a bumper Australia Day weekend with a staggering 29 matches around the country, including China women’s debut in Newcastle on Sunday.

Results:
Men:
In Sydney: Wests waterpolo Magpies 7 (B Krasznai 4, S Cody, R O’Brien, C Eames) Balmain Tigers 5 (G Woods 2, N Falzon, J Davis, M Lazic).
In Newcastle: Hunter Hurricanes 12 (R Sinclair 3, P Reid, D Robinson 2, N Campbell, S Berry, M Bartlett, E Deloraine, J Johnson) Brisbane Barracudas 6 (R Howden 3, D Gynther 2, M Giles).
Women:
In Newcastle: Brisbane Barracudas 10 (A Russell 3, H Robinson 2, E Jackson, N Stoltz, K Bryce, E Keogh, JL Lewis) Hunter Hurricanes 6 (B Russell 3, C Ellis, N McJannet, J Bendeich). 

Chinese women in NWPL, which starts today
Sydney (January 22).—
The National Water Polo League breaks new ground when the Chinese national senior women’s team competes in the 2008 edition starting on Thursday.

With the Beijing Olympics less than eight months away, the host nation has decided to contest a rigorous Australian programme of 22 matches in 28 days, starting from next Monday in Newcastle.

It’s the first time that a women’s team from outside Australia has contested the four-year-old women’s league while South Korea, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand have previously played in the 18-year-old men’s competition.

China is no stranger to Australian waters, having contested the FINA World Junior Championships in Perth in 2005 with basically the same team that will play the NWPL.

That team went on to claim the silver medal behind Australia at last August’s junior world championships and is expected to put up a strong showing in the eight-nation Olympic event.

China begins its NWPL quest against Hunter Hurricanes at Lambton on Monday and will finish its campaign later next month in Perth.

The NWPL season opens with Wests Magpies hosting Balmain Tigers men at Ashfield on Thursday and Hunter Hurricanes playing at home to Brisbane Barracudas men and women at Lambton in Newcastle.

With the consensed nature of the NWPL this year there are plenty of games being played each weekend as well as through the week.

In the opening weekend, which coincides with Australia Day, there are no fewer than 32 matches from Thursday until Monday. The following weekend there are 21 matches with China playing during the week.

The finals series is scheduled for April 9-12 in Sydney.