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Shoreham Stingrays (3) vs. Bognor Barracudas (14)

Shoreham Stingrays vs. Bognor Barracudas Match 4 – Sussex Mini Water Polo League 13 & Under Venue: Wadurs Swimming Pool, Shoreham-by-sea
7.10pm Swim Off
21.04.2018
Attendance: 40

Headline: Bognor On Top After Stingrays Victory

The Sussex Mini Water Polo league entered its second round of games and the speed and pace of the first quarter was testament to just how far both teams have come since battling to a 6-6 draw in January.

Shoreham started the first quarter strongly and were launching wave after wave of attack into the deep end goal. The controlled passing and fast swimming of both teams led to a tense opening 8 minutes and if not for some strong goal keeping from Owen Halligan, Shoreham might have finished the quarter in front. It ended 0-0 but it was clear the crowd were impressed with both teams as the quarter ended to enthusiastic applause.

In the second quarter it started to go wrong for the Stingrays and very right for the Barracudas. Halligan’s strong swimming and shooting was too much as Bognor hit three quick fire goals without reply. After Shoreham called a time out they regained some composure but the onslaught from a very strong Bognor side continued, Tristan Roderick getting in on the action, as well as more goals from Halligan. The quarter ended 6-0 to Bognor.

The third quarter was a tight affair as Shoreham pushed to get back in the game. They eventually did start the resurgence and scored two quick goals through Captain Alex Stepney-Warburton and Lorn Cawdery. 6-2, and we thought the comeback might be on. Shoreham also had a number more chances but they struggled to find the net. An excellently executed, and probably, the goal of the game put Bognor into a commanding 7-2 lead. The ball was fired into the centre of the Shoreham 2 meter line and Roderick rose like an Atlantic salmon to flick the ball first time into the net past the goal keeper.

The final quarter once again belonged to Bognor. With Caleb Slingo and Tom Abbott opening their league accounts with some composed powerful shooting. It might have been more if not for Shoreham Goal Keeper Frey Warman-Fox making a number of saves.

Bognor finished strongly with a flurry of goals from Halligan, Roderick and Lucy Abbott to close out a 14-3 victory.

The score perhaps is a little harsh on Shoreham’s efforts. I said to the players at the time and I meant it, that the first quarter of play was the best water polo from both teams we have seen so far in all the games. Everyone gave it their all and there’s still plenty to play for as we near the end of the season.

Shoreham Stingrays 3
Goals – A. Stepney- Warburton 2, L. Cawdery

Bognor Barracudas 14
Goals – O.Halligan (6) T. Roderick (4) C.Slingo (2) T. Abbott, L. Abbott