Finals Action for WAIS Squads at 2014 NTC Challenge

WAIS men’s and women’s water polo teams have won medals at the 2014 NTC Challenge finals hosted in Sydney over the weekend.

The men claimed silver after being edged 10-6 in an entertaining final against NSWIS, whilst the WAIS women’s squad defeated a VIS/SASI composite 11-5 to take bronze in the third place playoff.

In the men’s final, NSWIS got out to a fast start in the opening quarter to set up a two goal lead (3-1) at the first break, before WAIS shaved their advantage to one goal at 4-3 at the half.

NSWIS’ experience told in the second half, with the hosts able to extend their margin to an eventual 10-6 score-line, which handed them the 2014 National Training Centre Challenge title.

NSWIS coach Chris Wybrow said it was tough work for his team to win, paying tribute to a strong contest with WAIS.

“It was a good win, we always knew it was going to be a grind and Paul (WAIS coach Paul Oberman) was holding a few things up his sleeve, as we knew he would, but credit to my team who stuck to the game plan,” Wybrow said.

In the women’s playoff for third and fourth it was WAIS who eased to an 11-5 victory over VIS/SASI courtesy of strong shot execution in their offensive game.

The game begun in a close fashion with VIS/SASI player Maddy Steere stepping up to put away a penalty goal, however WAIS responded with two goals to hold the advantage at the first break.

Although the leading margin only grew by one during the second quarter, it was the third where WAIS turned on the heat to lead by four goals going into the final term.

Much like their second game from the Sydney round, VIS/SASI entered the final stanza with a significant deficit to make up, and began well, pegging back two goals. However, eager to lock down third place overall, WAIS again responded to run out 11-5 winners.

WAIS coach Georgina Kovacs was pleased with the win, saying that her team all pitched in to make the victory possible.

“All the credit goes to my team, they were much better organised than they had been during our games on Friday, our drives, our shooting was all good quality,” Kovacs said.

“All our players had a good contribution to attack and defence, so as a team, we won this game.”

-WaterPoloAus