Sydney University women’s and men’s teams each posted a win and a loss in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Water Polo Australia Super Championship Division at the weekend.
Sydney Uni Lions women’s side defeated Griffith University Queensland Thunder 12-11 at the Peter Montgomery Pool at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre on Saturday.
Anni Espar Llaquet led the scoring for the Lions with five goals, while Savannah Renshaw (3), Maud Megans (3) and Luci Marsh all scored goals. The Thunder’s goals came from Tenealle Fasala (6), Kasey Dalziel (3), Elle Armit and Sophia Milliken.
The Thunder ended the Lions’ winning run on Sunday afternoon, defeating the hosts 13-10 in the return clash.
Elle Armit led the scoring with five goals, while Bridget Leeson-Smith (2), Madeleine Steere (2), Sophie Milliken, Kasey Dalziel, Jessica Emerson and Lulu Elliott put their names on the winner’s scoresheet. Anni Espar Llaquet 3, Alexie Lambert 2, Samantha Hardingham 2, Luci Marsh, Indigo Ditterick and Anneliese Pamp posted goals for the Lions.
Meanwhile, Sydney Uni Lions men’s team defeated UNSW Wests Magpies 13-10 in a local derby at Ashfield Aquatic Centre on Saturday.
Jake Cavano 3, William Miller 2, JacobMercep 2, Goran Tomasevic 2, Rhys Howden 2, Toby Goldschmidt and Johnno Cotterill scored for the winners, while the host’s goals came from Jarrod Gilchrist 2, Tim Reeves 2, Matthew Murphy 2, Richie Campbell, Nathan Power, Sam Negus and Angus Lambie.
UNSW Wests Magpies reversed the result with a 12-11 win over the Lions at the Peter Montgomery Pool on Sunday.
Adachi Seiya led the scoring for the winners with four goals, with Jarrod Gilchrist (3), Nathan Power (2), Angus Lambie (2) and Richie Campbell adding to the tally. Goran Tomasevic scored four goals for the Lions, Drew McJannet and Rhys Howden scored doubles, and William Miller, Jacob Mercep and Keegan Wicken also found the net.
The Lions men’s team will host Drummoyne Devils in Round 5 at 7.30 pm on Friday evening, with the return match at Drummoyne Swimming Pool at 7.15pm on Sunday.
The Lions women’s team will travel to Western Australia this weekend for Round 5 and 6 matches against Fremantle Marlins at the Bicton Pool at 8pm on Saturday evening and 10am on Sunday.
The Championship Division is the second phase of the 2023 Water Polo Australia Super League. The new format for AWL 2023 has three phases. Phase 1, the Kap7 Cup, was held from January 27 through to February 26.
The competition was then split into two divisions, with the top six sides going into the Championship Division and the bottom five sides into the Southern Cup Division. Each division are play home and away competitions for five rounds.
As Sydney University finished second on the men’s ladder and fourth on the women’s ladder in Phase 1, they are now contesting the Championship Division. Phase 3 of the new format will be the AWL Finals. At the end of Phase 2, the top four men’s and women’s teams from the Championship Division will compete in the Championship finals.
