Watch the replays: Water Polo Queensland state title finals (WPQ State Titles )
Watch the replays of all six Water Polo Queensland grand finals from the under 16 and under 12 age groups.
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The Mermaids club completed a clean sweep of A grade premierships while an emotional Alstonville outfit also claimed a gold medal on a gala day at the Queensland Water Polo State Title grand finals.
Mermaids claimed the under 12 and under 16 A division grand finals today to go with the under 14, under 18 and open divisions won earlier. UQ Barras then claimed the last final of the day, winning the under 16 boys decider 12-7.
Mermaids club president Lance Johnson thanked the coaches, managers and players for all their work over the last 12 months.
“To do a clean sweep is fantastic for our club and shows our program works,’’ he said.
The Alstonville under 12 girls also rose from their flood ravaged region of northern NSW to have success (story below).
Last Tuesday during the under 14 and under 18 state titles, the Mermaids (three premierships), QUWPC Barras (two) and Somerset House (one) shared the honours.
RELATED LINKS
WATER POLO AUSTRALIA YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP LAUNCH
STATE TITLE GRAND FINAL REPLAYS
THE MATCHES
Alstonville v Stuartholme, under 12s
The Alstonville under 12s produced a fairytale finish to the tournament to claim the state title from Stuartholme by 10-5
The girls, from flood ravaged northern NSW, put the match to bed with a huge finish to the third quarter which saw them snare three late goals and break open a six goal advantage.
A gutsy Stuartholme had recovered from a 5-1 deficit to trail just 5-3 before Alstonville responded with a four goal third quarter – including goals to Sarah Vanem, Kaydee Horne and Mirabelle McGillick.
A first quarter double by Sarah Vanem got her team’s wheels in motion.
But Stuartholme closed the gap to 5-3 after goals by Isobel Rogers (2) and Alianah McCabe.
Alstonville coach Sally Thompson said she was so proud of the group and for what they had achieved for themselves and for the community.
She said they had overcome COVID-19 shutdowns and two floods to keep turning up to train, regardless of their family or community situation.
Thompson said they were worried all their efforts would go to waste, fearing the state titles might be cancelled given they have been through such adversity.
“That has been their mental state at the moment, how would it all turn out,’’ Thompson said.
“For them to keep training, not to lose hope and make it to the grand final was amazing for them.
“And then to turn around and actually win, this is the highlight of their year.
“It will turn things around for them mentally. It has given them hope and made a massive difference and I am so proud of them.’’
Mermaids v All Hallows’, under 14s girls
Mermaids’ Lulu Lochran produced an early contender for goal of the day with a stunning lob effort in her team’s state title winning performance by 10-6.
In the final quarter, and with the game in the balance at 8-5, Lochran moved into the centre forward position for a long distance lob into the right hand corner.
It was some goal, particularly given it was in a grand final, and that 9-5 advantage was all the breathing space Mermaids needed for yet another junior girls state title pennant.
Mermaids led 6-4 after a goal splurge by Georgia Green (three goals), including a clever right handed effort early in the third quarter.
But there was no holding back All Hallows’ School who surged into contention courtesy of Lucinda Bartley’s double, and scores by Meg Gallagher and Alice Sefton.
Gallagher then added another for All Hallows in the third quarter, trimming the margin to 6-5.
In more good news for Mermaids, goalie Stephanie Peck was named goalkeeper of the tournament and Ava Shere MVP.
Mantas Blue v Carina Leagues Warriors, under 12 boys
It was a great, low scoring grand final between the teams, with the Warriors prevailing by 6-2.
A splendid goal in the last quarter by Luka Trbojevic raised Warriors to relative safety and a lead of 6-2.
But Mantras’ urgency and effort did not wane and Warriors had to play out the match to the final whistle.
With superior finishing power, the Warriors had made the running to lead 5-nil, although that scoreline did not reflect the competitive nature of the clash.
Then two goals by Max Hansen (Mantras) breathed life into the contest.
Trbojevic was a polished finisher for Warriors, scoring four goals.
Warriors also enjoyed two MVP awards - by Levi Clapper (goalie) and Phonix Brown (field).
All Hallows’ School v Mermaids (Rose) under 16 girls
A sensational goal from halfway by Mermaids Lucy Stuart was the highlight of yet another state title to the Mermaids’ club.
Seconds after All Hallows’ Emily Seva had shot a fantastic left handed goal from point to raise her team’s spirits, Stuart delivered an extraordinary shot just as the three quarter time siren was about to sound.
Mermaids produced a five goal opening quarter burst (Charlotte Boothey, Zarah Millgan - two goals each, and Amelie Hoefel), countered by a goal from All Hallows’ Eloise Stone.
All Hallows’ fought back strongly in the second quarter, producing a 1-all performance in that time.
But Mermaids seized the match in the third quarter when Boothey, Alice Topenberg, Amelie Hoefel and then, of course, Stuart scored.
St Rita’s College v Mermaids (pink), under 16 girls
Mermaids and St Rita’s played out a high class decider, with Mermaids prevailing 10-6 in an exciting class.
Leading just 5-4 into the third quarter, goals by Sogia Brodie (twice), Sienna Owen and Olivia Muir helped unlock the pathway to the premiership.
Leading 8-5 entering the final quarter, St Rita’s simply had to be the first team to score but after two minutes of too and fro it was Mermaid’s Izzy McGuire who broke the stalemate.
Mermaids led 9-5, and although Gemma Hutchings scored from the point position for the Saints, time was running out.
Mermaids and St Rita’s produced a 2-1 first quarter, with Claire McCulloch twice getting past St Ritas while Matilda Morrow scored for St Rita’s early.
UQWPC Barras v Polo Bears, under 16 boys
After a bruising encounter UQ Barras came to rest with the under 16 boys state title.
UQ Barras beat Polo Bears 12-7 but never had it their own way despite Barras twice pulling clear.
UQ Barras had led 9-3 into the third quarter, but Polo Bears refused to go away and produced back-to-back goals to close out the quarter just ahead of the last six minute segment of play.
But last quarter goals by Sean Bright from centre forward and Sam Eyles from driver put pay to any Polo Bears revival.
Earlier, UQ Barras led 5-3, seizing the scoreboard advantage with the first three goals of the third quarter, including a close range effort by Blake Jennison from an extra man post position, and a centre forward burst by Joseph Button.
LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE
Monday, gold medal matches
9am: under 12 girls white – Alstonville v Stuartholme
9:50am: under 12 girls maroon – Mermaids (Pink) v All Hallows' School
10:40am: under 12 boys – Mantas Blue v Carina Leagues Warriors
11:30am: under 16 girls white – All Hallows’ School v Mermaids (Rose)
12:30pm: under 16 girls maroons – Mermaids (Pink) v St Ritas’ College
1:30pm: Under 16 boys – UQ Barras Purple v Polo Bears
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