National Water Polo League Update

Reigning men’s national water polo league champions – the UWA Torpedoes – have commenced their 2017 campaign in strong fashion, currently occupying second place on the competition ladder.

The Torpedoes have played five matches over the three competition rounds to date and have won all five, with their most recent match a 7-5 win over local rivals the Fremantle Mariners at the Bicton Pool.

The Mariners in contrast, sit ninth in the ladder, with two wins from seven matches and eight competition points overall. The Torpedoes hold 20 points, equal with current leaders Sydney University Lions, with the NSW club ahead only on goal difference but they have played one match more than the Perth club – for a 5-1 win/loss record over all at the completion of three rounds.

In the women’s league, the Fremantle Marlins and UWA Torpedoes hold fifth and sixth respectively, with both clubs on 16 competition points. The Marlins hold sway on goal difference (+4 to UWA’s +2) but have played seven matches for 4-3 record, to UWA’s five matches, boasting a 4-1 return.

In the derby, the Marlins handed UWA their sole defeat for the 2017 season to date, recording a comprehensive 16-4 win. Rio Olympian Zoe Arancini scored six goals for the Marlins, with the Australian international set to return to Spain – where she plays professionally in the European league.

A 9-1 first half ended the match as a contest, with the Marlins’ squad also boasting recently retired international and dual Olympian Glencora McGhie. Both side’s rosters contain a strong core of developing WAIS talent.

The men’s derby provided a much closer contest with UWA keeping Fremantle scoreless in the first and third quarters, to snatch a tense two goal win.

The match pitted WA Olympic teammates Joel Swift (Fremantle) and George Ford (UWA) against one another, whilst both rosters again included numerous WAIS scholarship holders.