Day 6 – Final Session   

Composite 9 defeated WAIS 6
While the title had been decided the previous evening the battle was still on for the Silver and Bronze medals.

NSWIS & WAIS were locked together on equal points with WAIS holding the advantage over them with the head to head results. So both teams needed to win to secure any chance of grabbing the Silver.

WAIS started the game solidly and went to the 1st break level 2-2.

The 2nd quarter saw the Composite team come out with more aggression and energy and raced to a 6-3 lead by halftime.

WAIS missed 2 penalties which in the end proved costly and the effect of having only 8 field players and a very hard week took its toll in the 2nd half and the Composite was able to maintain that advantage for the remainder of the game.

Greg McFadden (Composite coach) was quoted “The girls played some great polo throughout the week and we proved very competitive which was extremely pleasing for me. Most of these girls didn’t know each other’s names at the start of the week but gelled as a team fantastically”.

“Today’s game was pleasing as apart from the 1st quarter we really executed what we talked about and we also kept 2 of the leading goal scorers to only 2 goals in the game”.

Peter Szilagyi (WAIS coach) stated “Today we just simply run out of petrol. I was very happy with the performance of the team throughout the competition. The girls proved to themselves and everyone else what good players they are”.

“I wish to thank Lea Barta for helping us out through the week”.

Goal scores - COMPOSITE 8 – M. Cabout 3, J. Martin 2, I. Bishop 1,       C. Hewko 1, N. Flacco 1, M. Schmidt 1
Defeated
WAIS 6 – Z. Arancini 2, G. Beadsworth 1, G. Ralph 1, G. Domanic 1,      V. Szilagyi 1

QAS 10 defeated NSWIS 5

QAS already had the title sewn up but I’m sure they were not going to go easy on NSWIS. Not only did NSWIS have the incentive of winning the game to earn the Silver medal but I’m sure there was plenty of pride at stake also.

The QAS were quick out of the blocks and took an early 3-1 lead and continued their dominance winning every quarter 2-1,2-1 and 3-2 for a commanding and well deserved victory 10-5.

The QAS were by far the most consistent team throughout the competition and only lost the 1 game so they were well deserved 2009 Institute Challenge victors.

Aleks Osadchuk (QAS) said: “Once again we played very well as a team.”

“It is always good to win the competition with a great team effort. All the players stepped up and added to our win”.

Andrew Yanitsas (NSWIS assistant coach) stated “In the end a tough game to finish the competition, but the girls kept fighting to the very end. QAS were just too good this week”.

“The girls worked hard throughout the game but once again were unable to execute our opportunities”.

Goal scores - QAS 10 – J. Moran 4, S. Smith 2, B. Knox 2, G. Wikman 1, J. Lee-Lewis 1
Defeated
NSWIS 5 – S. Jones 3, A. Brightwell 1, J. Dessauvagie 1
 
TABLE 2009 INSTITUTE CHALLENGE

National coach Greg McFadden at the end of the tournament announced a squad to stay and train on until Wednesday 25th.

From this group of players AIS scholarships will be offered depending on their [performance over the next 5 days for the next 6 months. Also a National squad will be announced to start preparing for the Commonwealth Championships in March or April.

The players are
Victoria Brown, Kelsey Wakefield, Emily Young, Lea Barta, Danielle Bower, Gemma Beadsworth, Bronwen Knox, Jemma Dessauvagie, Nicola Zagame, Rowena Webster, Glencora Ralph, Sophie Smith, Melissa Rippon, Gabrielle Domanic, Isobel Bishop, Jane Moran, Gaby Wikman, Zoe Arancini, Alicia Brightwell, Joanne Whitehorn, Elise Rossato.
Total 21

Greg McFadden also nominated his best players from each team for the Championships.
QAS    -    Bronwen Knox
WAIS    -    Glencora Ralph
NSWIS    -    Joanne Whitehorn
Composite -    Mieke Cabout
Victoria -     Rowena Webster

Women's NTC Challenge draws closer to final positions
Canberra (November 20).—
The Queensland Academy of Sport is one win away from winning the NTC Challenge women’s water polo competition at the Australian Institute of Sport Pool here.

With a 10-6 defeat of Victoria last night, the QAS just needs to beat the champion New South Wales Institute of Sport  to clinch the title.

NSWIS virtually threw away its chance of retaining the crown with a 7-2 hammering by the Western Australian Institute of Sport.

WAIS had earlier downed Victoria 9-7 before grabbing second place with the powerful showing against NSWIS, who scrambled to a 9-8 victory over the Composite team in the morning after being 6-2 behind at halftime.

Day 5 - Morning Session

NSWIS 9 defeated COMPOSITE 8

The composite team blew a great chance to ruin NSWIS title defence and put themselves into the picture for the Institute Challenge title this morning.

NSWIS were up 2-1 after the 1st but a brilliant 2nd quarter saw the Composite team go into half time with a 6-2 lead scoring 5 to 1 in the 2nd quarter.

They then had the opportunity to really put the screws on NSWIS when they received the 1st of 2 penalties within the space of two minutes but to their dismay the 1st was saved by Danielle Bower and the 2nd hit inside wood and bounced cross cage.

NSWIS then went on to score the next 4 goals straight for an 8-6 lead at ¾ time. The composite drew level with 17 seconds to go to hopefully force the game into extra time but to NSWIS's delight Nicola Zagame scored a CF goal to win the game 9-8 and keep NSWIS chances alive.

Ryan Moar (NSWIS coach) was pleased today "Another get out of jail card was handed to us. The girls defended well in the 1st quarter and with no change of tactics the girls went missing in the 2nd".

"Individual mistakes by field players in our zone gave away 4 goals".

"Regrouping at half time and a change in defence pulled us back into the game. We got a bit lucky in the end, but that's sport".

Goal scores - NSWIS 9 - J. Whitehorn 4, N. Zagame 2, K. Leathem 1, K. Gofers 1

Defeated

COMPOSITE 8 - M. Cabout 3, S. Ricketts 2, J. Liessmann 1, N. Hughes 1, M. Schmidt 1

WAIS 9 defeated VICTORIA 7

WAIS recovered from the disappointment of being knocked out of taking the title, but kept their hopes of taking the Bronze with a controlled 9-7 victory over Victoria.

Peter Szilagyi (WAIS coach) stated "Finally we had a very disciplined, focused start. The game was really slow, but we were in control from the start and this showed with a 2-0 1st quareter. From their we maintained the margin". 

"I was pleased with our man down defence and also our extra man attack."

Greig Richardson (Victoria Coach) said "All the games this week have been close and hard. But to the girls credit they have hung in their and kept fighting even though we have the smallest bench".

WAIS 9 - G. Beadsworth 3, G. Ralph 2, E. Browne 1, M. Connor 1, C. Pierce, Z. Arancini 1

Defeated

VICTORIA 7 - E. Jo Grahame 3, R. Webster 2, E. Rossato 1, A. Grahame  1

Day 5 - Evening Session

QAS 10 defeated VICTORIA 6

The QAS are 1 win away from taking the Institute Challenge trophy of NSWIS after a win over Victoria tonight. They set the game up with a 4-1 1st quarter and repeated the dose in the 2nd to have the game wrapped up at 8-2. But once again the 2nd half blues set in and with them giving some junior players some valuable water time Victoria took the 2nd half 4-2.

Aleks Osadchuk (QAS) was once again "I am very pleased with the teams performance today. All what we discussed we managed to implement".

"It sets us up well for tomorrow's match".

Greig Richardson (Victoria Coach) was pleased and said "The girls were physically and mentally exhausted so we pretty much played the last half in survival mode."

"I think we done well to not let the score completely blow out while also winning the 2nd half 4-2".

Goal scores - QAS 10 - B. Knox 3, J. Moran 2, M. Rippon 1, O. King 1, J. Lee-Lewis 1.

Defeated

VICTORIA 8 - R. Webster 2, E. Armit 1, J. Hanson 1, C. Banks 1, M. Morrison 1.

WAIS 7 defeated NSWIS 2

WAIS finally put the nail into NSWIS's coffin and sealed the Institute Challenge for the QAS while also putting themselves into contention for the Silver medal.In a tight 1st quarter 2-2, WAIS opened up the game with a 3-0 2nd quarter and controlled the game from that situation. In fact NSWIS scored the first 2 goals and did not score another goal for the remainder of the game.Lea Barta kept her NSWIS teammates at bay in goals for WAIS as she was playing with them on loan.

Peter Szilagyi (WAIS coach) was very pleased and was quoted "We had only few mistakes tonight. For more than three quarters we controlled the game".

"Our press and our zone was working well as we kept NSWIS scoreless for almost 30 mins. Really pleased with the performance on both games today".

Ryan Moar (NSWIS Coach) stated that "NSWIS's impotent attack let us down.  After scoring 2 goals in the first 3 minutes we failed to find the back of the net again."

"Tonight by failing against WAIS we handed the Institute Challenge Cup to the QAS."

Goal scores - WAIS 7 - Z. Arancini 3, G. Ralph 2, G. Domanic 2

Defeated

NSWIS 2 - A. Brightwell 2

Day 4 – Morning Session   
COMPOSITE 8 defeated QAS 6
What a difference 24hrs makes. The QAS were the raging hot favourites to win the Institute Challenge this morning as they went through the 1st round relatively easy and most teams expected them to do the same in the second round.
But someone didn’t tell the Composite team that as they provided one of the upsets of the tournament so far defeating them 8 to 6.
Aleks Osadchuk (QAS Coach) stated that “It’s was a game of missed opportunities. It could be a different outcome if we converted our opportunities we created.
Greg McFadden (Composite coach) was quoted “The girls played very smart water polo today and kept the game close which put huge pressure on the QAS. They lifted in defence and took the opportunities they were presented with some very intelligent shooting”.
“It was a great performance when you also consider that the X-man count was 5 to 1 against us.”
Goal scores - COMPOSITE 8 – C. Hewko 2, M. Cabout 2, C. Barr 1, N. Hughes 1, N. Flacco 1, M. Schmidt 1
Defeated
QAS 6 – B. Knox 3, S. Smith 1, O. King 1, M. Rippon 1

NSWIS 9 defeated VICTORIA 7
The 2nd game saw NSWIS keep their title defence chances alive with a 9-7 victory over Victoria. Once again they had to fight early to stay in touch, but the 3rd quarter saw them break the shackles scoring 3-0 to set up their win.
 Ryan Moar (NSWIS coach) was pleased today “Once again we failed to capitalise on a multitude of counter attack opportunities. The final result of a 2 goal victory was not very pleasing”.
“We are now looking forward to building on some good defensive quarters and taking on the 3 remaining games which we need to win to defend our title”.
Greig Richardson (Victoria Coach) said “The girls reclaimed some self respect in today’s game in a hard fought contest against NSWIS, but they didn’t have enough left in the tank to get across the line”.
Goal scores - NSWIS 9 – N. Zagame 3, A Brightwell 2, J. Whitehorn 2,   P. O’Neill 1, K. Gofers 1
Defeated
VICTORIA 7 – R. Webster 3, E. Jo Grahame 2, J. Hanson 1, C. Banks 1

Day 4 – Evening Session   
COMPOSITE 9 defeated VICTORIA 8
The composite team scored their 2nd win for the day to move them into medal contention with a very hard fought and at times lucky win over Victoria.
The game had controversy when E. Jo Grahame was excluded for brutality right at the end of the 3rd quarter with Victoria holding a 2 goal lead.
Greg McFadden (Composite coach) was once again “Disappointed in the lapses we have had in the middle of our games. We scored 4 very good goals early but after that we struggled to execute good shooting options and if it wasn’t for the brutality we may not have come away with the victory”.
“Our players haven’t had a rest for 6 games and tomorrow we once again have to back up against NSWIS for our 7th straight game. Who did this draw?”
Greig Richardson (Victoria Coach) was pleased and said “Even though we suffered a loss, this was our best game of the tournament. We proved we have the toughness to fight back even when the situation looks bleak”.
Goal scores - COMPOSITE 9 - I. Bishop 2, M. Cabout 2, N. Hughes 1,     C. Hewko 1, L. Callahan 1, M, Schmidt 1.
Defeated
VICTORIA 8 – R. Webster 4, J. Hanson 2, C. Banks 1, E. Jo Grahame 1.

QAS 15 defeated WAIS 13
In a game that WAIS had to win to have any chance of winning the Institute Challenge certainly provided plenty of goals with 11 coming in the 1st quarter. Unfortunately for WAIS 8 of them were by QAS with captain M. Rippon leading the way with 4.
WAIS showed great character however to come back and make QAS fight to the end and play some very defensive water polo late in the game with G. Ralph scoring some spectacular goals amongst her 5.
Peter Szilagyi (WAIS coach) stated “We started poorly and 2 disallowed goals did not help our cause early. The girls showed tremendous composure and grit to continually keep coming at the QAS never giving up”.
Aleks Osadchuk (QAS Coach) stated that “We showed tonight two sides of the medal. One was great team polo and another one was a bunch of hysterical individuals”.
Goal scores – QAS 15 – M. Rippon 4, B. Knox 3, J. Moran 3, N. Stolz 3, S. Thomas 1, M. Coburn 1
Defeated
WAIS 13 – G. Ralph 5, G. Domanic 3, G. Beadsworth 2, E. Neesham 1, V. Szilagyi 1, Z. Arancini 1

TABLE 2009 INSTITUTE CHALLENGE

Queensland undefeated in  NTC Challenge
Canberra (November 18).—
Queensland Academy of Sport is undefeated at the 2009 Institute Challenge for women  in Canberra.

Day 3 – Morning Session   
QAS 10 defeated COMPOSITE 6
QAS completed the 1st round of the Institute Challenge this morning undefeated after defeating the composite team 10 to 6 and are the favourites to win their 2nd Institute Challenge in the 5 years of competition.
Aleks Osadchuk (QAS Coach) stated that “It’s was a good start for us 2-0 and then 6-2 by halftime. But, still we have to develop more consistency in our game”.
Greg McFadden (Composite coach) was quoted “The QAS had a bit too much experience and fire power especially Bronwen Knox who was a handful for our players. This allowed them to gain an early lead that then forced us to play catch up water polo for the remainder of the game. To the girls credit they kept on fighting to the end and won the last quarter 3 to 1”.
Goal scores - QAS 10 – B. Knox 5, M. Rippon 3, G. Wikman 1, J. Moran 1
Defeated
COMPOSITE 6 - I. Bishop 2, S. Ricketts 2, L. Callahan 2

WAIS 10 defeated VICTORIA 8
The 2nd game saw WAIS finally break through and win their 1st game of the competition with a 10-8 victory over Victoria.
WAIS started very strongly and were up 5-3 by the end of the 1st and 6-4 at the half and were able to maintain their lead for the remainder of the 2nd half.
They must have listened to their coach as yesterday he stated that they needed to be up by 2 goals in the last second to win the game and today they were able to do this.
Peter Szilagyi (WAIS coach) was pleased today “Another close game in the competition which has been invaluable to develop the players ability to play under pressure. Today we managed to be 2 goals ahead on the end, so we finally won.”
“I am really pleased to see that all of my field players can score goals against the best goalie of the country.”
A frustrated Grieg Richardson (Victoria Coach) said “Inconsistency is still the biggest problem. When mistakes come they are the simplest mistakes but lead to goals”.
“We haven’t improved in this aspect of our game, so I am disappointed, not just because we lost, but in the way lost.”

Goal scores - WAIS 10 – G. Ralph 2, G. Beadsworth 2, Z. Arancini 1, E. Neesham 1, V. Szilagyi 1, G. Domanic 1, C. Pierce 1, M. Connor 1
Defeated
VICTORIA 8 – R. Webster 4, E. Armit 1, E. Jo Grahame 1, G. Venosta 1 

Day 3 – Evening Session   
WAIS 8 defeated COMPOSITE 6
WAIS are on a roll with their 2nd win in a row this evening with a 8-6 victory over the Composite team, however they came from behind to secure the victory after the composite team started strongly for 2-0 and a 3-2 1st quarter lead.
Peter Szilagyi (WAIS coach) stated “We started poorly, but from the 2nd quarter we found our rhythm and controlled the game. The communication improved a lot and the girls are playing as a team most of the time’.
“It is a real shame that we allowed the last second goal yesterday against QLD otherwise we would be undefeated.”
Greg McFadden (Composite coach) was disappointed in the lapses we have been having in the middle of our games. We scored 3 very good goals early but after that we struggled to execute good shooting options until the final minute we Isobel Bishop sat up and scored 2 cracking goals.”
“Our players need to realise the space and time they have to prepare or take their shots.”
Goal scores - WAIS 8 – G. Beadsworth 3, G. Ralph 2, G. Domanic 1, E. Brown 1, M. Connor 1
Defeated
COMPOSITE 6 - I. Bishop 3, N. Flacco 2, S. Ricketts 1.
 
NSWIS 9 defeated VICTORIA 5
After a very tight 1st half NSWIS blew Victoria out of the water with a 4-1 3rd quarter to set up a 9-5 victory and keep them in the hunt to defend their Institute Challenge title.
NSWIS are in a position where dropping any points from their remaining games will virtually rule them out of contention for the title. So every game for them is now a final.
Ryan Moar (NSWIS Coach) “We won convincingly in a scrappy game”.
“After a shaky start and some weak defence which gave them a 2-0 early lead, we regrouped and played like a team for the remaining 3 quarters”.
“Some very poor finishing restricted our final score to 9, it should have been 12 or 13”.
Once again a frustrated Grieg Richardson (Victoria Coach) was at a loss to why the girls cannot perform in the 2nd half of another game and said “One quarter of water polo is not enough to win a game”.
“The girls need to ask themselves some tough questions after such a weak 2nd half. They showed very little character or self respect when they really needed to stand up”.
Goal scores - NSWIS 9 – N. Zagame 2, A Brightwell 2, E. Scott 2, S. Jones 1, K. Leathem 1, P. O’Neill 1
Defeated
VICTORIA 5 – R. Webster 2, E. Armit 1, E. Jo Grahame 1, J. Hanson 1 

2009 Women's NTC Challenge kicks off
Canberra (November 17).—
The 2009 Institute Challenge for women has started in Canberra with some interesting results.
Day 2 – Morning Session   
NSWIS 10 defeated COMPOSITE 8
NSWIS had to come from 8 - 4 deficit during the 3rd quarter to snaretheir 1st win of the tournament. The 2 goal difference was a bitexaggerated as their last goal came in the final second after theComposite team failed to convert an extra man opportunity with 30seconds remaining.
Ryan Moar (NSWIS Coach) stated that “We failed to attack into thecomposite team’s zone throughout the game and especially in the 1sthalf. When the ball was delivered to the CF our attack was dangerous.”
“In the end we were lucky to escape with a win. Some good individual goals near the end of the game ensured our 1st win”.
Greg McFadden (Composite coach) was quoted “After a very promising 2 ½quarters the girls did not respond to the press defence that NSWISapplied”.
“Too many easy turnovers in the 3rd quarter allowed NSWIS too manyopportunities to get back into the game. In the end Individualtoughness in the 1 on 1 battle was the difference”.
Goal scores - NSWIS 10 – N. Zagame 3, J. Dessauvagie 2, J. Whitehorn 2, A Brightwell 1, G. Clark 1, H. Buckling 1
Defeated
COMPOSITE 8 - M. Cabout 3, I. Bishop 2, J. Liessmann 1, L. Callahan 1, M. Schmidt 1.

QAS 8 defeated WAIS 7
The 2nd game saw WAIS once again allow a final second goal to losetheir game against the QAS 8 to 7. A strong 3rd quarter from WAIS sawthem go from 3-1 behind to 5-3 ahead but 3 goals in the last quarterfrom Jane Moran got them back to 7-7 before the Bronwen Knox winner offwood with 0 seconds left.
Aleks Osadchuk (QAS Coach) was quoted “We got out of jail. It was agame of missed opportunities in attack and too much complacency indefence. We should all but a lottery ticket”.
Peter Szilagyi was not as amused “Last second goal as usual. We need to work on how we can be 2 goals ahead in the last second”.
Goal scores - QAS 8 – J. Moran 5, B. Knox 2, M. Rippon 1
Defeated
WAIS 7 – Z. Arancini 3, E. Neesham 2, G. Ralph 1, G. Beadsworth 1

Day 2 – Evening Session   
COMPOSITE 11 defeated VICTORIA 10
The composite team grabbed their 1st win of the tournament with a comefrom behind 11-10 victory over Victoria. Once again they looked likeblowing a promising start when they slipped behind 9-8 at the end ofthe 3rd quarter.
Greg McFadden (Composite coach) was quite please with the final quarter“I asked the girls to go out and win their 1 on 1 battles in the lastand to a player they all done this. We scored 3 outstanding individualand tough goals by Mieke Cabout, Lisa Callahan and Maddy Schmidt to setup the win.”
“Hopefully we can keep improving throughout the week and cause a few upsets.”
Greig Richardson said “Both teams struggled to hold their concentrationfor any length of time. The good side is that both teams were punishedfor these indiscretions. Our goal know is to create more opportunitiesrather than relying on mistakes from the opposition”.
Goal scores - COMPOSITE 11 - C. Hewko 3, L. Callahan 3, M. Cabout 1, I. Bishop 1, J. Liessmann 1, M. Schmidt 1, N. Hughes 1.
Defeated
VICTORIA 10 – E. Armit 4, E. Jo Grahame 3, R. Webster 2, E. Rossato 1  

QAS 10 defeated NSWIS 7
The 2nd game saw the QAS gain their 3rd straight victory and securetheir place on top of the table with a 10-7 victory over NSWIS. QASstarted strongly to lead 4-2 at the end of the 3rd and maintained thatlead throughout the remainder of the game.
Aleks Osadchuk (QAS Coach) was quoted “Tonight was a solid game fromboth teams but fortunately we were more composed than the oppositiontonight”
Ryan Moar (NSWIS Coach) was not so complimentary and stated that “Ourball handling skills were ordinary and they failed to follow the teamdefensive tactics in the last quarter.”
“A lot of early turnovers in attack throughout the match gave QAS too
Goal scores - QAS 10 – G. Wikman 3, B. Knox 2, N. Stolz 2, M. Coburn 1, J. Lee Curtis 1.
Defeated
NSWIS 7 – N. Zagame 2, S. Jones 2, A Brightwell 1, K. Gofers 1, P. O’Neill  1

2009 Women's NTC Challenge schedule
Canberra (9 November 2009).—
The Women's NTC Challenge is scheduledto be held at the AIS in Canberra from Sunday 15th to Friday 20th November. Details for the tournament are asfollows and all interested spectators are welcome to watch the games.

Dates: 15th - 20th November

Download team lists here

Venue:AIS Pool, Bruce ACT

Participating Teams: NSWIS, QAS, WAIS, Victoria andComposite

Schedule: