IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCES KNOCK OUT TITLE FAVOURITES
Both title-favourites to win the men's and women's British
Water Polo Championships were defeated in what was a fantastic
day first day of the British Water Polo Championships in Manchester.
City of Manchester knocked out title-favourites Lancaster
in the semi-final of the in what was a great performance by
all the squad as their opponents looked for their seventh
consecutive win.
Lancaster took an early lead in the first quarter with a
goal from Chris Gilbertson and extended that through a Colin
Burgess shot to make 2-0.
Manchester pulled one back in what was the only goal of the
second quarter when Mick Bourne struck in the final 30 seconds.
Some fantastic passing in a quick attacking move saw Manchester
take the lead for the first time in the match when Sean Ryder
hit the back of the net in the third period.
However, Lancaster responded quickly with a second goal from
Chris Burgess to take it to 3-3.
With 46 seconds of the third quarter remaining, Jonny Kirk
gave Manchester back their lead but were caught after the
restart when Ryan Pinnington scored to take it to 4-4 as both
teams headed into the fourth and final quarter.
Lancaster were unable to convert any of their chances in
the final period of play and a second goal for Sean Ryder
and Charles Booth booked City of Manchester's place in tomorrow's
final.
It was the first time in Manchester's history that the men's
team progress into the finals weekend, and coach Tim Dunsbee
was pleased with their performances.
"We went in to the match as underdogs despite knocking
out national league winners Bristol in the preliminary round,"
said Dunsbee.
"We have a squad a good players at Manchester and went
in with a plan that we stuck with an it paid off for us. Our
preparation leading up the championships was good and that
showed in the performance today."
The squad will take on Rotherham Metro who played West London
Penguins in their semi-final.
Penguins took an early lead after 90 seconds of play when
Banhidy struck, however Chris Kirby soon equalised for Rotherham.
Rotherham took the lead within a minute through Mark Wade
and this was extended further 30 seconds later when Richard
Leighton made it 3-1.
Penguins attacked quickly after the restart and took themselves
within one goal of their opponents with a shot from Beard.
Rotherham tried to re-establish their two-goal lead and did
so successfully with a shot from Neilson Rutherford.
An eventful first quarter saw Penguins pull another goal
back through a second goal for Banhidy to make it 4-3.
Goals from Elder, Montfort (Penguins) and Mark Wade and Neil
Swainson (Rotherham) took the teams into the third quarter
at 7-5 in Rotherham's favour.
Neilson Rutherford grabbed another goal to add to his tally
to take Rotherham's lead to 8-5, but Penguins re-grouped and
Montfort got his second goal of the game to make it 8-6.
In the final 90 seconds of play, Andrew Scholefield took
Rotherham's lead to three goals when he hit the back of the
net as the teams ended the third quarter.
Rotherham dominated the final eight-minutes of play, scoring
three goals in the final two-minutes after Penguins got their
final goal of the game early in the fourth quarter,
In the women's semi-finals, City of Manchester will take
on Penguins A Ladies in the final after both teams made it
through their respective semi-final matches.
Penguins took on City of Liverpool taking the game 13-4 to
set up their final clash tomorrow.
Liverpool began strongly and took the lead via Siobhan Winter
after 85 seconds after some patient play in front of goal.
Penguins pulled one back quickly when Rebecca Donaghue hit
the net but Liverpool did not rest on their laurels and soon
regained the lead through Kathryn Dacre.
Liverpool extended their lead further with controlled passing
and movement in the opposition half with Fiona McCann the
goal-scorer.
With 20 seconds of time in the first quarter remaining, Penguins
pulled themselves within one goal of Liverpool through Louisa
Lickess.
During the break before the teams headed into the second
quarter, Penguins gathered themselves and took the second
period 3-1 to head into the final half of the match leading
5-4.
The London team were unstoppable in the third quarter and
goals from Charlotte Hanson (2), Eleanor Thomas (2) and Rebecca
Donaghue sent them into the final quarter 10-4 and possibly
out of reach for the Liverpool team.
Penguins continued their domination of the final half of
play in the final quarter, scoring another three goals through
Eleanor Thomas to give her a third goal of the match and Charlotte
Hanson (2) to take her tally to 4.
City of Manchester took a win against City of Sheffield 10-5
in a match which saw Manchester's physical power both defensively
and during attacking phases over-power the Yorkshire team.
In a close first and second quarter, and following good periods
of play from both teams, Manchester went into the final half
4-2 leaders.
Sheffield were unable to break Manchester's strong defence
in the third quarter and were unable to convert any of their
attacking plays into goals.
Manchester through Chloe Wilcox, Sarah Pimblett and Jemma
Bury took their lead to 7-2 as they broke for the final quarter.
Sheffield were caught out by great start by Manchester who
converted their first chance of the quarter with a goal from
Wilcox for her third.
Sheffield were able to pull one back through Bernice Cowton
but less than 20 seconds later Wilcox struck again.
Sheffield pulled two goals back with shots from Laura Evans
and Victoria Ibbertson to take the score to 5-9 but Manchester
had the final goal of the game when Victoria Hawkins found
the back of the net.
Those teams which missed out on their respectively finals
will battle for third and fourth place tomorrow.
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