Live stream: Sydney Uni Lions take on Balmain Tigers in crucial Australian Water Polo League clash

Two stunning wins over one of their toughest rivals has Balmain nicely poised in both the men’s and women’s Australian Water Polo League title races. Relive the action from the double header.

Balmain are up to second on the Australian Water Polo League men’s ladder after securing their ninth win in a row, beating Sydney Uni Lions 11-9 in a high-quality game.

The Tigers set up a 6-3 halftime advantage but found themselves under immense pressure early in the third quarter as the Lions closed the margin to one goal.

But despite a number of exclusions, they held their nerve to avenge their first round 13-8 loss to Sydney Uni from the start of February.

Sydney Uni Lions v UTS Balmain Tigers (Women)

Meanwhile, the Tigers continue to look the most likely Sydney winner of the AWL women’s title after they poured more pressure on defending champions Sydney Uni Lionesses with a 14-12 success.

Young gun Olivia Mitchell scored five goals and Katie Dudley three as the Tigers consolidated their spot in the top three with Queensland Thunder and Fremantle Marlins.

Sydney Uni have now lost eight of their 12 games this season and sit outside the top six ahead of a huge week, with matches against Adelaide Jets (twice) and Victorian Phoenix (twice).

PREVIEW

A desire for a ‘change of scenery’ has put four-time Olympian Rhys Howden in prime position for an Australian Water Polo League championship.

Howden and Billy Miller made the move to Sydney University Lions for the start of the 2023 AWL season after spending nearly their whole careers in Queensland.

Howden said choosing the Lions and sticking with them for the current season was an easy decision.

“We’re getting a bit old now and we thought a change of scenery would be nice,” Howden said.

“We could have chosen any of the five Sydney teams, but at Sydney Uni we liked the guys and we liked the coach and they said yes, so we moved.”

The Lions are set to take on local rivals UTS Balmain Tigers in the ‘Clash of the Cats’ on Sunday, with the men’s and women’s double header to be streamed LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV.

Howden and Sydney Uni almost claimed the title last season, falling just short in a thrilling decider against UNSW Wests Magpies.

Howden said when looking at a move to Sydney, he wanted to make sure it would be to a club with championship aspirations.

“Being part of one of the Sydney teams, we felt confident we would be in that finals picture at the end of the season.”

Rhys Howden has settled nicely into the Sydney Uni line-up.

The Lions are in a good position to be fighting for the title again this season, currently in third on the ladder with just one loss in 10 matches.

But despite their great run, Howden said there’s a lot more potential yet to be tapped into.

“To be honest, I think we’ve been underperforming so far this season,” he said.

“So to be underperforming and still getting wins, I think is good for the team.”

Sydney Uni faced off with UTS Balmain Tigers in the opening round of the season, with the Lions comfortably taking the victory 13-8.

Howden said every team had improved considerably since that first round and they certainly won’t be underestimating the Tigers.

“Teams obviously build into the season, so I think they’ll (the Tigers) be a lot stronger on Sunday,” Howden said.

“I’m very confident in my team and how we’ve been doing, so far so I know we can get another win against them.”

Originally published as Live stream: Sydney Uni Lions take on Balmain Tigers in crucial Australian Water Polo League clash