LIVESTREAM WATER POLO: Queensland Premier League round 3-4 from Valley Pool
Livestreaming of the Queensland Water Polo Queensland Premier League was halted mid-afternoon when storms forced matches to be postponed. Watch replays of the three morning matches from round 3.
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Livestreaming of the Queensland Water Polo Queensland Premier League was halted mid-afternoon when storms forced matches to be postponed.
GAMES ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD DUE TO LIGHTNING
The three afternoon games which were to be streamed, Kawana v Barracudas, Gold Coast v North Brisbane Polo Bears and River City v Carina Leagues Warriors will now be played at a later date which has yet to be finalised.
The inaugural Premier League was being livestreamed at www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News affiliates.
Australian players like Knox, Rhys Howden, Abby Andrews, Gabrielle Palm, Alice Williams, Nic Porter, past championships and the best of the Queensland Thunder and club talent were competing across six clubs.
The www.couriermail.com.au will continue livestream the semi-finals on November 8 (Gold Coast Aquatic Centre) and the November 22 grand finals (Valley Pool).
There will be one more qualifying round during the morning of November 8 on the Gold Coast before the semi-finalists were confirmed for the afternoon action.
THE MATCHES
Carina Leagues Warriors v Merlo Mermaids
Mermaids claimed win No.2 of the Premier League with a 21-2 win over Warriors at three quarter time this morning.
Australian squad member Alice Williams, a former Warriors player, scored four of the first five goals which her team scored to set Mermaids alight in the opening quarter after Warriors had shocked their rivals with the first two goals of the match.
Williams, an All Hallows’ School alumni, then added goals in the second and third quarters as Mermaids set up a commanding lead, and scored goals No.7 and No.8 in the final.
With Victoria Kininmonth in commanding forms in the goals, Mermaids had both ends of the pool ticked off.
Mermaids coach Nicola Johnson was displeased with the start of her side.
“They came out very slow but then did what they were meant to do in their game plan,’’ Johnson said.
“We stuck to the game plan and got their in the end,’’ said Johnson, who used young members of her squad in the match.
Warriors coach Mike O’Callaghan said the Premier League was a great experience for his young side and showed they can play at a high level from the club.
“For us this season is really about building and developing over the next couple of years and bringing the young girls through,’’ he said.
“For our junior girls coming through, they can see a pathway to the next step without having to leave the club which is critical.’’
Meanwhile, in round 3 men’s action, Kawana pipped River City in an overtime, shootout thriller 13-12.
Kawana actually led 6-3 and 7-4 at stages before River City worked its way back into the contest.
Barracudas v Polo Bears
Barracudas claimed victory in the clash of the unbeaten sides, skimming to a 7-5 win over a fast finishing Polo Bears today.
Three goals from Thunder rookie Charlize Andrews dragged Polo Bears from a 5-1 deficit to within sight of victory before Barras held on.
Superb goalkeeping by Australian keeper Gabriella Palm almost played its part in Barras winning.
Barras coach Rob Bruce said it was a huge effort playing against a high class, experience Polo Bears littered with Australian players.
“To hold them to give goals was a super effort by these girls,’’ Bruce said.
There was then a huge moment when, one-on-one, Triple Olympian Bronwen Knox tried to beat Palm with a gentle lob to the right hand corner after winding up for a power shot.
But Palm was up to the challenge and when Palm saved the goal, she had a playful exchange with Knox.
Earlier, the Barras slipped to a 3-0 advantage after goals from Zoe Balmanno, Aussie legend Kate Gynther and Australian Olympic squad member Tenealle Fasala.
But triple Olympian Bronwen Knox then struck for Polo Bears with a brilliant individual goal past her Australian teammate, goal keeper Gabriella Palm, and a high class affair was starting to unfold.
Olympian in waiting Abby Andrews then fired off one of her trademark left handed shots and Barras were leading 4-1.
When Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medal winner Naomi McCarthy injected herself into the fray for Polo Bears in the second quarter, she scored for Bears as her side stayed in touch trailing 6-2.
Palm’s razor reflexes then saved another couple of shots as Polo Bears tried to close the gap.
A fantastic third quarter goal from Thunder rookie Charlize Andrews, and then another from the St Pauls’ School alumni helped Polo Bears’ cause as her side cut Barras advantage to 7-4 entering the last quarter.
The the men’s match, Barra’s had a comfortable win over the Gold Coast.
Sunshine Coast v Gold Coast (women)
The Sunshine Coast were off the mark following a historic first win over Gold Coast in the women’s Premier League competition.
Sunny Coast won 10-6, but more importantly both captain Lily Merlo and coach Troy Park could see continuing improvement in the team’s performance.
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“A lot of the girls have not played before, so in the first couple of games it was getting the cobwebs out and it was great to see them come together more in this game,’’ Park said.
Park said both attack and defence was better and he was delighted to get a W up against the side’s name.
“Together we saved a lot of goals as well,’’ he said.
Captain Merlo said she could see the improvement and “we were playing as a team a lot more’’.
“The team has not played completely together before, so coming together and doing that and getting a win in the third round is great.’’
Likewise, Gold Coast coach Emma Hill was chuffed at the progress her side was making.
“We don’t have a lot of Australian players or Olympic players, but we do have an ex-Olympic goalie (Kelsey Wakefield).
“So what we are doing is trying to develop our region,’’ Hill said.
“We are learning and it is a step up for us compared to country titles.
“But I am looking at it as an opportunity to play against these Olympians and learn and develop our skills.
“These girls love the opportunity to play in quality water polo these competitions and these guys will grab it with both hands.’’
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
SUNDAY:
Qualifying rounds from Valley Pool
November 8
AM: Round 5
PM: Semi-finals from Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
November 22
Grand final from Valley Pool