Stingers and Sharks tied with US in test series with one game to go

Published On: 17 January 2020

The Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks are both tied one game a piece in the three-game test series against the United States in Brisbane.

The Stingers ended the dominant United States’ winning steak of the 69 games with a sensational performance taking the win in the final seconds of the second test.

The low scoring and closely contested game never had more than a goal difference throughout the game. With minutes remaining and scores tied the US called a time out to make a final play putting their goal keeping into the field. The decision proved costly with Australia converting a penalty to give Australia the win.

“It was gruelling, it went four quarters. They’re the best side in the world with 69 wins on the trot so to come away with the win, I’m pretty proud of that. It was in our own country so that was brilliant,” said Captain Rowie Webster.

The Sharks won their opening game on Tuesday in a come from behind thriller with a strong second half 13-12 to start 2020 on a high. Another close game on Thursday saw the scores level at eight a piece at the end of the third period despite the US going to a 4-0 lead early. Trading goals in the final period saw the Sharks add another goal to their tally, only for the United States to add two giving them the match and leveling the series.

“I think obviously the result is not the most important thing now, but the way we play definitely wasn’t as we wanted to be playing… to start like that to let them (USA) go four nil, you just can’t let that happen in water polo,” said Younger.

“But it was great the boys could bring it back to 8-8, but then again we just got to focus on that finishing and making sure at the end of the game we are the ones who are putting them away.”

The final games of the series will be played Saturday evening at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre.

$100 from every goal scored by Australia during the series is being donated to the Australian Red Cross bushfire appeal, with $1900 donated from Thursday’s games.