Water polo final to Beckenham

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33155, 20 February 1973, Page 14

Water polo final to Beckenham

After the closest water polo competition, certainly in recent years and possibly ever, Beckenham-Sockburn and Wharenui battled for an hour at Waltham Park Pool last evening.

At the end of that time—a full length game and four halves of extra time—Beckenham won a superb game, 11-9. for its third successive championship. The grand final was just that —a stirring game in which Wharenui, so long on the back foot, kept fighting back to level and forced the game into extra time. But still the scores stayed level, and it took another two halves before Beckenham could get well clear. For the first three-quarters, it seemed that Beckenham could not lose. D. J. Reid, in fine I form early, got five goals in that period, G. J. McEwan another, and Wharenui’s only reply was penalties by M. G. McClure (21 and B. R. Hazlett. FIGHTBACK But from that 6-3 deficit, Wharenui came back with great spirit. B. M. Mustchin scored for Beckenham, but McClure got another two penalties, and R. A. Clark and T. M McGirr scored superbly from the field. In the first two halves of extra time, M. A. Harding (Beckenham) —hitherto well marked—and Hazlett, each scored twice for their teams, but Mustchin sealed the issue with two goals i in each of the last two halves. For the winners, L. M. Scott' and Mustchin did sterling work and Reid and Harding, at different times, made their marks. It was the experienced p‘aversj who performed best for Whare|nui: Hazlett, rising to the occasion; McClure and McGirr did great work; A. B. Kindred h*d his best match; and the goalie, G. Devine—under more pressure than M. G. Davie —was in fine form. MINOR FINALS Beckenham-Sockburn s second

team gave a spirited perform . ance in the division two final before losing to the senior team. South Brighton. N. Brixton <*L. J. Moses, and R. Forster -cored for South Brighton, and II Harrison (2) and D. Harliwich for Beckenham In the division three final. Sumner completed its first >eason with a 3-1 win against Lni versity B. G. Dax scored all Sumner’s goals, and A F. Davidson for University.