It may have been heartbreak to miss the gold medal match, but the Australian women’s water polo team, the Aussie Stingers, returned to the pool to take a convincing 7-2 win over host nation China, securing the bronze medal at the World League Super Final in Kunshan.
The Stingers defence was impressive as they prevented the hosts from scoring eight out of nine opportunities in extra man. Underpinning the effort was Aussie goalkeeper Kelsey Wakefield who looked comfortable between the posts, making her saves look easy throughout the encounter.
In offence for the Stingers it was captain Bronwen Knox who was instrumental in organising the team, helping to open up scoring opportunities. Similarly influential were World Championship silver medallists Rowie Webster and WAIS athlete Glencora McGhie who also managed to score two and one goals respectively.
Other key players in attack for the Stingers where Jayde Appel with two goals, Ash Southern with one, while Sydney’s Keesja Gofers scored, while also winning four out of four swim offs to hand the Aussies possession at the beginning of each quarter.
The opening stanza was closely matched between the two sides. Hard defence in extra man saw Australia shut down China’s attacking efforts throughout the encounter, while solid attack handed Appel and Southern scoring opportunities for the Stingers to lead 2-1 at the first break.
Rowie Webster opened the second quarter with a bounce shot into the back of the cage, while McGhie also scored in the top left corner. Another strong display in goals from Wakefield saw Australia open the gap to 4-1 at the main break.
Despite the score line, the third term proved to be hard work for the Aussies as they managed just one goal thanks to Gofers in extra man. Despite the lack of goals, solid defence paid dividends, keeping China scoreless for the second successive period.
In the final quarter China managed to peg one goal back, however it was too little too late as Australia cemented the win, and the bronze medal, with a further two goals off the arms of Webster and Appel.
Stingers coach Greg McFadden said he was proud of the team and the end result of the week.
“It was a great performance today. It started with our defence and to keep any teams to two goals is very pleasing,” McFadden said.
“The girls have been fantastic, it has been a really tough week and I am very proud of what they have achieved.
“It has been physical, hard and the girls have really stepped up.”
FINA World Championships silver medallist Ash Southern echoed McFadden saying that defence was the key to victory.
“We came out today with a point to prove. Things didn’t go our way yesterday so we focused on bouncing back and that stemmed from our defence,” Southern said.
“Credit to all the girls for showing the Stingers pride and showing resilience. It was a great tournament to build on for the World Cup.”
McGhie was joined in the Australian set-up by Lilian Hedges, Elisha Browne and Jessica Zimmerman.
The Stingers will arrive back in Australia on Tuesday June 17 with their next major competition to be at the FINA World Cup in Russia this August.
-WaterPoloAus
