2012 NWPL Week 4: Hurricanes eye off finals berth after stunning win

Watch This Space...Throughout this season of the NWPL, AWPI will be providing a week by week coverage of all the results, big match previews and news and information.

Mitch Baird was a standout for the Hurricanes in their win over Sydney Uni (Anthony Pearse/Pearse Photography)

As the half way mark of the 2012 National Water Polo League fast approaches, the men’s and women’s ladders are starting to take shape with the Victorian Tigers men and Brisbane Barracudas women holding down top spot.

Despite having the week four bye, the Tigers maintained their advantage courtesy of the Drummoyne Devils and UNSW Wests Magpies playing only a handful of matches.

Tyler Martin and Aussie Sharks’ star Samuele Avallone helped Drummoyne cement their second position scoring eight goals in the Devils’ 18-5 smashing of Cronulla, while the Magpies thumped the Fyfe Adelaide Jets 16-9 and 16-7 to stay in third.

The Barracudas won both of their matches against the UWA Torpedoes to increase their record to eight wins and two losses, but were unable to move from their fourth place position due to inferior percentage.

In the most intriguing clash of the week, the seventh placed Hunter Hurricanes upset the sixth placed Sydney University Lions 12-11 to narrow the gap between themselves and the all-important top six.

Aussie Sharks’ centre forward Mitch Baird continued his return from injury with three goals, while Australian B’93 representative Nathan Power pitched in with two. University stalwarts Trent Franklin and Thomas Whalan led the way for their team scoring three and two goals respectively.

Hunter are now one win away from overtaking the Lions on the ladder and will hope to continue their good form as they look to become the first team in their club’s history to make the NWPL finals.

Earlier in the week, the Sydney University Lions scored convincing home wins against the Adelaide Jets, with Franklin becoming the second player in league history to score 700 NWPL goals during Thursday’s 22-4 thumping.

In other action, the UWA Torpedoes defeated the KFC Queensland Breakers 14-11 and 10-7, while Balmain overcame a gallant Cronulla 12-7.

The Brisbane Barracudas women have made the most of Fremantle’s bye, moving into top spot after sealing 16-5 and 18-10 wins over UWA.

Brisbane and Fremantle are now locked on the same win loss record, with the three time defending champions edging ahead courtesy of superior goal difference.

Barracudas veteran Jane Moran scored three goals in her 200^th game on Sunday, with fellow Aussie Stingers’ stars Ashleigh Southern and captain Kate Gynther also bagging large hauls in the 18-10 result.

Southern’s performance, which came on the back of her 200th NWPL goal in Friday's 16-5 win, saw her rise to second in the leading goal scorer ranks with 33 goals, with Stingers teammate and Cronulla Sharks hero Nicola Zagame out in front on 41.

The Sharks, whose double defeat to Fremantle last weekend was a major shock, maintained their third place position after bouncing back with 10-5 and 15-4 wins over Balmain and Drummoyne in their all-Sydney derbies.

In other results, UWA Torpedoes scored a narrow 12-11 win over the KFC Breakers to go with their 14-all draw, while the UNSW Killer Whales edged out Adelaide 10-8.

The league now takes a week off with Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks national training camp taking place in Canberra and Sydney starting today.

For the full list of results and fixtures go to bit.ly/xaq1S8

For current men's ladder click here

For current women's ladder click here