Watch the replays: Australian Water Polo League Cronulla Sharks v Victoria Phoenix

The defensive efforts of Cronulla Sharks goalkeeper Sam Cocokios has shutdown any chance of the Phoenix notching their second win of the season. WATCH THE REPLAYS HERE.

ACU Cronulla Sharks goalkeeper Sam Cocokios has pulled off a defensive masterclass between the sticks to keep the Sydney side alive in the hunt for an AWL finals berth. Cocokios made several crucial saves throughout the final term to deny a valiant Victorian Phoenix from fighting back and secure an 11-4 victory for the home side.

The experienced leader refused to be breached for most of the final term as the Sharks went on a four-goal run as the score blew out between the two sides.

The Phoenix men, who have returned to the AWL this season after several years out of the top competition, proved they will be competitive with the top teams in the competition holding the Sharks to a one-point lead for most of the contest at the Cronulla Leisure Centre.

Cronulla young gun Nicholas Crowe provided the highlight of the contest in the opening term with a buzzer beater from the halfway line sneaking under the arm of Phoenix keeper Oliver Purcell.

It was the first of two goals for Crowe, while teammate Tristan Glanznig finished with four goals for the Sharks.

Jamie Ogilvie-Lee led the scoring for the visitors, putting two past Cocokios in the first half.

The Phoenix will return to the pool next week against the Hunter Hurricanes, with the matches to be exclusively televised by News Corp on Friday night.

NEXT WEEK’S AWL STREAM SCHEDULE

Friday, February 25

5.45pm: Hunter Hurricanes v Victorian Phoenix (Women)

7pm: Hunter Hurricanes v Victorian Phoenix (Men)

Saturday, February 26

6.15pm: Pride Round Exhibition Clash

7.30pm: Queensland Thunder v Drummoyne Devils (Women)

9pm: Queensland Thunder v Drummoyne Devils (Men)

Sunday, February 27

5.30pm: UTS Balmain Tigers v Sydney Uni Lions (Women)

6.45pm: UTS Balmain Tigers v Sydney Uni Lions (men)

Sharks power their way over the Phoenix

The Phoenix fought valiantly but ultimately they proved no match as the Cronulla Sharks went on a third quarter feeding frenzy in their 14-7 win.

While the AWL newcomers were defiant through the opening half limiting the Sharks to just five goals – they had no answers through the second as the Sharks drivers used their physicality in the two metre zone to earn constant looks at goal.

Led from the front by Danijela Jackovich (4), Rewi Henry (2) and Allie Loomis (2), the Sharks went on a four unanswered goal through the third term to stretch their lead beyond the reach of the Phoenix.

The Victorian side refused to die wondering in the final term with two exciting goals from Zoe Hill, including a half-court bomb on the final siren, to finish off the clash.

Australian Olympian Rowie Webster also finished the game with two goals including a sizzling backhander midway through the second term which broke a scoring deadlock between the sides.

In a special moment for the Sharks, teenage goalkeeper Ashton Barr made her AWL debut coming on in the final two minutes of the fixture after a dominant performance by Claire Durston.

The Sharks have improved their season record to 4-3 as well as a draw from their eight games, but still sit adrift of Drummoyne Devils in fifth place.

Negus hattrick keeps Magpies undefeated streak alive

AS the Australian Water Polo League paid tribute to former rising star Cole Miller, the mighty UNSW Wests Magpies maintained their undefeated start to the season.

A sharp-shooting display from Charlie Negus, who bagged a hat trick, guided the Magpies to a gripping 8-7 win over a hungry Drummoyne Devils.

It was a defensive masterclass from the Magpies, highlighted by a crucial one-on-one stop by Jarrod Gilchrist who managed to block a runaway AJ Roach from scoring in the opening half.

The win takes the Magpies to an 8-0 record to start the season and only strengthened their vice-like grip on the AWL.

The Devils, who had a late opportunity to equalise, only for Marco Marcetta’s cross goal shot to grave the upright and bounce out in the dying seconds.

Adam Hall led the scoring for the Devils with two goals while Lazar Pasuljena also scored in the final quarter to give ignite hopes of a late fightback.

The AWL celebrated the life of Miller, who was killed in a violent attack in Fortitude Valley in 2016, with club’s hanging up his customary no. 10 cap for the night. The AWL has included an annual tribute round each season since his tragic death.

Holden reaches milestone as Devils and Killer Whales can’t be split

KIARA Holden has written herself into the Australian Water Polo record books as the UNSW Wests Killer Whales and Drummoyne Devils played out a thrilling 13-13 draw.

The Killer Whales left-hander notched her 200th career goal in the second quarter of the enthralling clash, going on to score a team-high four for the game.

The Killer Whales had one final chance to snatch what would have been their second victory for the season in the finals seconds when Devils Western Australian import Zoe Arancini was excluded for a foul on Holden.

But they couldn’t get a final shot away with the game ending in a draw.

Both sides will take away two points from the clash which proved a ding-dong battle with the scores level on eight occasions.

Morgan Baxter, who finished with a personal haul of five goals, almost provided the Devils with a chance to take the win with a powerful shot from outside that squeezed between Elyssa Larsson and the post with a minute remaining.

But they couldn’t maintain the lead with the Killer Whales scoring late to ensure the team shared the points.

The result means the Killer Whales will remain in seventh spot narrowly behind the Victorian Phoenix while Durmmoyne has improved to fourth on the AWL women’s ladder.

Lena Mihailovic at the KAP7 Cup in Sydney last month. Pic: Supplied