The Western Australian Institute of Sport has secured its first men’s NTC challenge title after a heart-stopping goal in the final seconds of extra time on the Gold Coast.
WAIS athlete and Olympian Jamie Beadsworth scored the decisive goal with only nine seconds remaining to give WAIS a 9-8 lead over the New South Wales Institute of Sport, after both teams had been tied 6-6 at full time and 7-7 at the first change in extra time.
The game opened with two early goals to Lawrence before NSWIS found their range through a Mitch Baird goal. Both defences were holding up well to half time, with NSWIS reducing the margin to a single goal.
In the third quarter NSWIS continued to push their counter attack whilst keeping WAIS scoreless and as in the semi final against the Queensland Academy of Sport, they appeared to have the momentum going into the last quarter.
However, a successful time out move by WAIS head coach Paul Oberman saw a resulting goal level the scores and sent another final into extra time.
Both teams found the net once in the first period of extra time with goals to Jamie Beadsworth for WAIS and Cargill for NSWIS, before Nic O’Halloran again put WAIS ahead.
Baird replied with a goal of his own and it seemed the game would be decided on penalties, however another successful time out from WAIS saw the final goal scored giving NSWIS less than 10 secs to reply with one of their own. An attempted 5m foul shot was saved by goal keeper Luke Quinlivan, and the resultant corner throw was also kept out to give WAIS its maiden title.
– Water Polo Australia
