The Australian Stingers won the first match of a five test series against Italy this week in Bicton.
Nestled on the banks of the river, the Bicton pool venue is surrounded by Tuscan-like features, so it came as no surprise that the Italians were not overwhelmed in the first test, despite holding a lower international ranking than there hosts.
Australia featuring in its first competitive match of 2011 was excellently led by the WAIS-AIS triumvirate of Gemma Beadsworth, Zoe Arancini and Glencora Ralph, with each finding the net in the Stingers 13-10 win.
Beadsworth, in her first game as captain was a standout and was well supported by Lea Barta, Nicola Zagame, Melissa Rippon & Zoe Arancini. Beadsworth and Arancini scored two goals apiece whilst Ralph showed her predatory prowess with three goals in attack.
For Stingers coach Greg McFadden however, it was the defensive effort from his team that earned praise following the match.
“The most pleasing part of the game was that we kept the very dangerous Italian centre forward, Casanova, scoreless for the game” he said.
McFadden did sight room for improvement in the remaining four tests against Italy commenting “the disappointing thing was our X-man conversion, only two from nine.”
“But more disturbing was the lack of communication which allowed some easy goals and resulted in numerous exclusions against us. Most players are not wanting to take responsibility in the water, which results in the above (score-line),” he said.
The second test will be played this Thursday at the Claremont Pool from 7.45pm.
