Aussie Stingers thrash Canada in Pan Pacs tune up
Australia’s women’s water polo team, the Aussie Stingers, has thrashed a jet-lagged Canada 15-9 in their international match at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
The match is one of two Test matches being contested by the two nations as a prelude to the Water Polo Pan Pacs at the same venue next week.
The Stingers led 5-4 at the end of the first quarter before a blistering second term saw them score six unanswered goals to hit the main break up 11-4.
Both teams netted two goals in the third period and the Canadians notched a 3-2 moral victory in the last quarter but after Australia’s second quarter blitz the result was never in doubt.
Leading the way for Australia with four goals was captain Kate Gynther who was ably supported by Rebecca Rippon and Glencora Ralph with three apiece and veteran goalkeeper Alicia McCormack in what was a solid overall team effort.
Stingers driver Rippon, who was playing in her 233rd senior international, said it was nice to get 2012 off to a winning start and put some of the skills the team has been working on into practice.
“We went out to win the first game of the New Year and really wanted to get 2012 off to a good start,” Rippon said.
“As a team we have been working hard on some things in attack lately so we wanted to try out what we have been aiming to do.
“We are earning more about opposition teams’ defence and learning to attack specific to the teams we are playing against.”
The Stingers will play Canada again on Saturday night in their final tune up before the Pan Pacs that begins with three men’s games on Sunday before a full round of men’s and women’s matches on Monday.
Tickets are still available for all sessions and more information can be found at www.waterpolopanpacs.com.
Australia
Alicia McCormack, Gemma Beadsworth, Sophie Smith*, Rebecca Rippon, Isobel Bishop, Bronwen Knox, Rowie Webster, Kate Gynther ©, Glencora Ralph, Hannah Buckling, Mel Rippon, Nicola Zagame, Kelsey Wakefield
* Pan Pac squad member Ash Southern was unavailable due to an arm injury
Result: Australia 15 bt Canada 9
Quarters: 5-4, 6-0, 2-2, 2-3
Goalkeepers: McCormack quarters 1, 2,3 / Wakefield quarter 4
X man for: 2 from 7 and 1 from 2 5m penalty
X man defence: 3 from 6 and 1 from 2 5m penalty
Aus Scorers: K Gynther 4, G Ralph 3, R Rippon 3, R Webster 2, I Bishop, N Zagame, S Smith
