DEVILS TRIUMPH IN A NAIL BITING DECIDER

Sydney June 7: A day of intense competition, high excitement and drama unfolded in the final day of the $15,000 Consolidated Sports Cup National U/23 Championship at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Both the Bronze and Gold Medal finals went to extra time and both could have finished with a penalty shoot out.

Each team was allowed an over 23 marquee player. This saw a sprinkling of the senior men’s squad spread across all the teams and some interesting head to head clashes between guys that are normally team mates during the National Water Polo League.

Sydney University faced off against the KFC Breakers for bronze in a game that went down to the wire. KFC playing with only 10 men, held sway leading 3-2 after the first quarter and 5-4 at half time. A 4-2 third period had Sydney University leading for the first time in the match going into the fourth quarter with an 8-7 lead.

A brace from the tournaments MVP Billy Miller (KFC Breakers) in the fourth, and a goal from Sydney Universities Tom Woudwijk, saw the match finish at 9-9 after regular time. Miller shone in the extra time scoring another two goals to finish with seven overall and secure an 11-9 victory for the KFC Breakers, who pocket $2000 in prize money. Sydney University took home $1250.

Bronze: (XT) KFC Breakers 11 (B Miller 7 T Knox 2 M McCann D Streets) def Syd Uni 9 (S Nicholson J Davie 2 R Maitland T Woudwijk L Basha C Whittaker N D’Ambrosia)

The battle for Gold and the $7000 first prize was intense from the opening whistle. With teams trading attacks in a pulsating match looking for a way to unlock the opposition defence. Under the tournament rules every player had to start in at least two quarters and could not be substituted until a goal was scored or the team used a time out.

Drummoyne were the first to flaunt the rule by making a change during running play in the third before a goal had been scored. Wests were awarded a penalty and a major foul went against Ben Scott as the player entering. A magnificent save by John Hahn stopped the penalty attempt.

Drummoyne held a 5-4 lead at the start of the fourth and Wests made the same error 40 seconds into the period. The Wests defence had held firm after an exclusion. They then made a substitution sending Ritchie Campbell into the pool. This was Campbell’s third personal fault and he was fouled out of the match. Drummoyne splayed the penalty shot over the crossbar.

The West Magpies led 3-2 after the first quarter courtesy of a double by marquee player Sam McGregor and 4-3 at half time. Wests goalkeeper Joel Dennerly received a personal fault in the first period for jumping early to stop a Drummoyne penalty shot. He was forced to sit in the corner and watch his team mate Sam McGregor try to affect a save one handed.

One of Drummoyne’s best, Samuel Avalone, imposed himself on the game with a double in the fourth before his exuberance got the better of him and he was rolled for disrespect. Drummoyne led by two goals on two occasions in the fourth 6-4 and 7-5. Wests clawed their way back with goals to Steve Cody, Sam McGregor and Ross O’Brien to tie the game at 7-7 after regular time.

There was no backing off in extra time with both teams pushing hard for the $7000 first prize cheque. Drummoyne led 8-7 after the first instalment with a goal to Patrick Harmer. Mace Rapsey got Wests back on level terms with a goal in the second period of extra time before Aaron Younger fired in a penalty to give Drummoyne a 9-8 advantage. Wests had the last roll of the dice with an extra man attack with 11 seconds remaining but could not convert the opportunity.

National Men’s coach John Fox, gave the tournament his tick of approval before jetting off with the team to the World League Finals, saying “A number of players outside the squad had impressed and would be given opportunities in the future”. He also thanked Consolidated Sports for having the foresight to back the tournament which will be staged again in the first week of January 2010. Consolidated Sports John Shimooka, who was present for the finals said “The company was impressed by the high level of performance throughout the competition and are committed to supporting the tournament in the future”.

Gold: (XT) Drummoyne 9 (S Avalone 3 A Roach 2 A Younger B Scott T Martin P Harmer) def Wests 8 (S McGregor 3 R Campbell S Cody M Rapsey R O’Brien J Cotterill)

The 5-6 playoff was an all tiger affair with the Victorian Tigers defeating the Balmain Tigers 8-5. Balmain’s marquee player Gavin Woods scoring four.

5-6 Playoff: Victoria 8 (R Moody 3 C Hammond T Denehy 2 J Gilchrest) def Balmain 5 (G Woods 4 J Davis)

Tournament Awards:
Charles Turner MVP Trophy: Billy Miller (KFC Breakers)
Les Kay Medallion U/23 MVP: Ritchie Campbell (Wests Magpies)
Peter Montgomery-Coach of the Tournament: Tony Falson (Cronulla Sharks)
Andrew Kerr-Rookie of the Tournament: Nick Redbond (Balmain Tigers)
Bell Craven- Referee of the Tournament Michael Hart

Final Placing (Prize Money) & Team MVP:

1. Drummoyne Devils ($7000) AJ Roach
2. Wests Magpies ($3500) Ritchie Campbell
3. KFC Breakers ($2000) Billy Miller
4. Sydney University Lions ($1250) James Young
5. Victoria Tigers ($750) Jarrod Gilchrest
6. Balmain Tigers ($500) Joel Davis
7. Brisbane Barracudas Rhys Howden
8. Cronulla Sharks Chris Batty
9. Adelaide Jets Luke Northcott

Water Polo Results: Day Two Consolidated Sports Cup Men’s National U/23 – Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre: KFC Breakers 13 (D Streets S Robertson 3 B Miller N Day 2 M McCann M Wilson J Votan) bt Adelaide 6 (L Northcott 3 D Will 2 T Dayman) Victoria 7 (S Lewis 3 J Disken C Hammond J Gilchrist N Broadhead) bt Cronulla 5 (A Martin 3 C Batty 2) Wests 11 (J Cotterill 5 R Campbell 2 W Eames S McGregor M Rapsey S Cody) bt Brisbane 6 (BJ Howden R Howden 2 G Richardson D Lawrence) Drummoyne 11 (T Cleland 5 S Avalone J Swift 2 A Polivka M Emery) bt Balmain 3 (N Redbond M Ali J Davis) Sydney University 8 (J Davie 3 N Cargill B Turner 2 J Young) bt KFC Breakers 7 (S Roberstson 3 D Streets L Cranley B Miller J Votan) Victoria Tigers 14 (C Hammond 4 Gilchrist R Moody 3 J Disken S Lewis K Smith T Denehy) bt Adelaide Jets11(L Northcott D Will T Dayman 3 G Bretag-Norris J Frost) Wests 12 (J Cotterill 5 S McGregor 4 R Campbell 2 S Cody) draw Balmain 12 (G Woods C Dyson P Short 3 J Davis 2 N Redbond)

LIONS ROAR & DEVILS SOAR INTO CONSOLIDATED SPORTS CUP SEMI FINALS

Sydney: Both the Sydney University Lions and Drummoyne Devils teams have stormed into their respective major semi finals at Day two of the 2009 National Under 23 Consolidated Sports Cup at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

The Lions staged an unforgettable comeback in the game of the tournament to date with two late goals from Jeremy Davie, including the clutch winning shot with just three seconds remaining in the game to claim an 8-7 in win over the KFC Breakers the top of the table clash.

It was an amazing come from behind victory for Sydney University who hauled back a 4-7 deficit at three quarter time to produce an inspired four goal clean sheet final quarter highlighted by Davie and his brilliant short corner match winner from deep in the left pocket.

Sydney University will now play the winner of the second minor semi final between Wests Magpies and Victoria Tigers.

In Group B it was a workmanlike performance by the Drummoyne Devils who sealed their automatic major semi final appearance with their third victory of the tournament coming at the expense of cross suburb rivals Balmain 11-3.

Tim Cleland was a stand out for the Devils in the demolition claiming five goals to also give his team a well deserved sleep-in as they now patiently await the winner of Saturday morning’s minor semi final cross over between the KFC Breakers and Balmain Tigers.

The playoff for seventh and eighth will be between the Cronulla Sharks and Brisbane Barracudas while the Adelaide Jets have already secured the tournaments wooden spoon with three consecutive losses.

Day three of the National under 23 tournament continues tomorrow with minor semi finals commencing at 8:00am at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre while the two major semi finals will take place at the Ryde Aquatic Centre from 3:00pm.

Results: Water Polo Consolidated Sports Cup U/23 - Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Day One: Drummoyne 6 (J Swift A Younger AJ Roach M Emery A Avalone T Cleland) def Wests 5 (R Campbell J Cotterill 2 R O'Brien) Balmain 8 (C Dyson 3 J Davis 2 J Potaka M Ali G Woods) draw Barracudas 8 (R Howden 4 BJ Howden 2 G Richardson N O'Halloran) Sydney University 9 (R Maitland 4 N Cargill 2 T Woudwyck S Nicholson J Davie) def Victoria 7 (J Gilchrist 3 T Denehy 2 N Broadhead S Lewis) Breakers 13 (D Streets 5 B Miller 4 S Robertson 2 M Wilson J Votan) def Cronulla 3 (B Mathews 2 A Martin J Herrick) Syd Uni 11 (J Young 3 T Woudwyck 3 B Turner 2 N Cargill L Hollis N D'Ambrosia) def Adelaide 8 (D Will 5 T Dayman L Northcott P Weller) Breakers 9 (B Miller 5 S Robertson 2 N Day T Knox) def Vic Tigers 6 (R Moody 2 C Hammond 2 J Disken S Lewis) Drummoyne 6 (S Avalone 2 T Cleland P Harmer AJ Roach J Swift) def Barracudas 5 (BJ Howden 2 T Southern G Richardson R Howden)

MILLER MAGIC HAS KFC BREAKERS IN BOX SEAT AFTER DAY ONE OF UNDER 23 WATER POLO TOURNAMENT

Sydney: A nine goal haul in two preliminary matches by KFC Breakers centre forward, Billy Miller has highlighted day one of the 2009 National Under 23 Consolidated Sports Cup at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

The four day event has attracted nine top national league teams from throughout Australia highlighting the top under 23 players in the land as well as each team being allowed to field a single marquee player of any age in the tournament.

The Queensland based KFC Breakers team seemed inspired by their rugby league counterparts memorable State of Origin victory overnight and with the help of the hot handed Miller they showed class in disposing of rivals Cronulla 13 - 4 and Victoria 9 - 6.

KFC Breakers have now set up a mouth watering clash with the also undefeated Sydney University Lions team tomorrow afternoon with the winner to top the preliminary group A standings and be given an easier finals journey on the road to claiming the $7000 winners prize pool.

The battle for supremacy in group B is set to go right down to the wire with the ‘group of death' having all four teams still a mathematical chance of qualifying for the semi finals heading into day two preliminary round action.

Drummoyne Devils lead the group of death after two gripping one goal wins over both Wests Magpies 6-5 and the Brisbane Barracudas also 6-5 with the second semi spot to be a fight between Balmain, Wests and the unlucky Barracudas outfit.

The Devils have lived up to the hype as the strongest team on paper in the competition with the backbone of their successful national league grand final losing side along with interstate draft picks in firing Fremantle duo Joel Swift and Aaron Younger.

Day two of the Consolidated Sports Cup continues Friday commencing at 9am at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

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