Sydney University Lions claimed the minor premierships in the Sydney Super League men’s and women’s water polo competitions with strong wins in the final round matches at the weekend.
The Lions accounted for UNSW Wests Magpies 11-7 and the Lionesses downed UNSW Wests Killer Whales 10-4, both at Lambton Swimming Pool on Saturday.
The Lions finished the competition proper on 22 points with six wins and two draws to edge out ACU Cronulla Sharks on goal difference, with UTS Balmain Tigers third on 19 points, UNSW Wests Magpies fourth on 18, Drummoyne Devils fifth (16) and WPNSW State Team Program sixth (16).
The Lionesses went through the competition proper undefeated to finish on 24 points, with Drummoyne Devils (21), UTS Balmain Tigers (20), UNSW Wests Killer Whales (19), ACU Cronulla Sharks (16) and New Zealand (14) making up the top six.
Julian van Oorschodt and Luke Stimson scored doubles in the men’s win over Wests Magpies, with Thomas Harris, Jacob Mercep, Keegan Wicken, Loui Schuler, Tyler Krenkels and Tom McJannett also scoring goals
In other men’s results, Sydney Uni Lions Blue defeated UTS Balmain 10-7 in sixth grade at Dawn Fraser Baths. Graham Kelso led the lions scoring with five goals, with Lachlan McKenzie (4) and Nathan Stone helping the cause.
Declan Trainor bagged at pair for UTS Balmain with Jeffrey Paquet, Harrison Bristow, Cooper Silk, Stephen Smith and William Donnelly adding the extras.
In 7th Grade, UNSW Wests defeated Sydney Uni 10-7 at Auburn Ruth Everess Aquatic Centre.
Max Burke-Moore (3), Nathan Hassett (2), Lachlan Rathbone (2), William Charters, Lincoln Tanner and Tristan Lee scored for the winners, with Samuel Dobney (5), Jack Hill and Harrison Mitchell goaling for the Students.
The men’s junior ranks saw Sydney Uni’s Under 14s draw 8-all with SNB Breakers Blue at SUS and Aquatic Centre. Joshua Cheng (4), Edison Whalan (2), Phoenix Brown and Peter Ventaulis goaled for the University.
And SNB Breakers Blue defeated SU White 15-2 at SUSAC.
In the Under 16s, SNB Breakers As defeated Sydney Uni Gold As 16-1 at SUS Aquatic Centre on Sunday, with Finlay Davison and Max Ryan each scoring four, and Sydney Northern Rays Bs defeated Sydney Uni White Bs 10-5 at Knox Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
And in the Under 18s, ACU Cronulla As d Sydney Uni Gold As 22-2 at Ryde Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in the Women’s Summer Metro, Macquarie University Pink defeated Sydney Uni Blue 9-6 in Sixth Grade. Macquarie scorers included Brianna Sorbella (4), Taylor Byrne (2), Elise Craig, Daile Murray and Olivia Lovall, while Mia Halstead (2), Brooke Martin, Amy Tzioumis, Julia Prieston and Sienna MacCallum goaded for the Students.
In women’s junior ranks, Sydney Uni Under 14 Gold Bs defeated Sydney Northern Rays 8-7, but it was a forced loss as they had 14 players, and Ryde defeated Sydney Uni White 6-2 at Auburn Ruth Everess Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
And SU Gold 16Bs defeated UNSW Wests 16-0 at SUS Aquatic Centre on Sunday.
Sydney University also sent a boy’s team to the Under 12 Banana Bowl played at Coffs Harbour on Saturday and Sunday. The Bowl is a participation tournament designed to whet the appetites of young players and is open to all WPNSW affiliated Players/Clubs/Associations. Clubs can enter boys, girls and mixed teams.
Sydney University’s Under 12 boys side defeated UNSW 10-1 and Coffs Harbour 15-1 on Saturday and backed that up with a 13-1 results over Lake Macquarie and a 13-3 win over Gosford on Sunday, with all matches played at Coffs Harbour Memorial Olympic Pool.
Lastly, two Lions, Christian Kyriakou and Toby Goldschmidt were honoured with their SU Blues at the SU Blues Dinner during the week. Both were members of the victorious Aus Universities Games victory earlier in the year and have also represented Australia at World Championship events.
