Sydney University Water Polo Club’s men’s and women’s teams will contest the national Super League finals after an undefeated home and away round against the University of Western Australia Torpedoes at the weekend.
The men’s team travelled to Perth, where they posted a 13-9 win over the Torpedoes at the HBF Stadium Aquatic Centre on Saturday and backed up with a 22-10 effort at the same venue on Sunday.
SUWPC’s women’s team hosted the Torpedoes at the Sydney Uni Sport and Fitness Centre’s Peter Montgomery Pool, where they won 15-9 on Saturday and 13-12 on Sunday.
The results saw the Lions finish first in the men’s league and second in the women’s league at the end of the Championship Division of the Super League. They are the only club with both men’s and women’s teams in the Super League finals, which will be held in Sydney over four days from Thursday, April 27, to Sunday, April 30.
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 played home and away competitions for five rounds, finishing at the weekend. The top four men’s and women’s teams from the Championship Division will now compete in the Championship finals.
Goran Tomasevic and Chaz Poot scored trebles for the Lions in their 13-9 result over the Torpedoes in Perth on Saturday, with Jacob Mercep (2), Tom McJannett (2), Tony Goldschmidt and Keegan Wicken also goaling.
The Torpedoes’ goals came from Janas de Oliveira Crivella (3), Andrew Ford (3), Matt Morris, George Ford and Sam Rowbottom.
Meanwhile, Maud Megans, Danielle Morrissey, Anneliese Pamp and Anni Espar Llaquet each scored doubles for the Lions in their 15-9 result over the Torpedoes on Saturday, with Alexie Lambert, Belle Humby, Samantha Hardingham, Indigo Ditterick, Savannah Henshaw, Madissyn Powells and Lucinda Gillis also finding the net.
UWA’s goals came from Matilda Moore (3), Pippa Pedley (2), Allegra Childs (2), Glenda Morgan and Gloria Giachi.
The return match on Sunday was a tighter affair, with the Lions getting home 13-12 on the back of Anni Espar Llaquet’s seven-goal effort. Danielle Morrissey (2), Anneliese Pamp, Madissyn Powells, Samantha Hardingham and Maud Megans also found the net.
The Torpedoes’ goals came from Pippa Pedley (3), Allegra Childs (2), Rebecca Gibb (2), Matilda Moore (2), Bronwen Knox, Gloria Giachi and Isabella Sayer.
