The Australian women’s water polo team has won bronze at the Kunshan Cup in China folowing a clinical 8-6 defeat of Commonwealth rivals Canada.
The Aussie Stingers jumped out of the blocks to lead by a couple of goals at quarter time and despite Canada clawing back to even terms at half time, it was as close as they would get to the Australians.
The result was a welcome one for the Stingers who had suffered a heart breaking semi final loss to the Netherlands. The Dutch scored an equaliser with just one second remaining in regular time before trumping the Australians 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
The Kunshan Cup is the precursor for this week’s FINA World Super League finals in Shanghai where the Stingers have been drawn in a group with Russia, Italy and the hosts, China, while the main event for 2015 is the FINA World Championships that begin in Kazan, Russia in late July.
Left hander Isobel Bishop and young guns Bronte Halligan and Chloe Barr all scored in the opening term as the Stingers opened up an early advantage, taking a 3-1 lead into the first break. The second period belonged to the Canadians though, with sharpshooter Ash Southern scoring Australia’s only goal as the teams went into half time all locked up at four goals apiece.
It was again a 3-1 period for the Stingers in the third with Bishop netting her second, whilst London Olympic bronze medallists Nicola Zagame and WAIS athlete Glencora McGhie also got on the scoresheet.
WAIS athlete Zoe Arancini is also part of the Australian set up as the Stingers prepare for Tuesday’s opening match of the World League Super Finals against Russia.
-WaterPoloAus
