A five goal effort from WAIS athlete Glencora McGhie has helped the Australian women’s water polo team to a 12-10 win over China in their opening World League fixture in the USA.
Australia was made to work hard for victory over a combative Chinese outfit – with the match following off the back of a recent three test series between the two nations in Perth.
The sides couldn’t be separated over a tense first half, but a two goal advantage in the third term proved crucial for the Australians, who held tight in the final quarter to record an important win.
McGhie, who starred in the match, said the team were happy to take the win but would need to improve as the tournament moved on.
“It was a really tough game, really physical which it always is with China,” she said.
“It was good to come away with the win but we still have a lot of team markers that we are yet to achieve.
“We have our game against Canada tomorrow so hopefully we can improve on tonight’s game,” said McGhie.
The 2012 Olympian was joined in action by fellow WAIS scholarship athletes Gemma Beadsworth and Zoe Arancini, with the latter also on the scoresheet for the Stingers.
The World League Intercontinental Tournament is a key preparation event for the Aussie Stingers ahead of the Rio Olympics, not only providing strong international competition against some of the best nations in the world, but also a qualifier for the World League Finals that will take place in June in China.
The Aussies will next take on Canada, with the match scheduled 6:40am Perth time on Thursday February 18.
-with WaterPoloAus
