Senior water polo

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33451, 5 February 1974, Page 14

Senior water polo

Beckanham-Sockburn became i clear favourite for the senior water polo competition, when the grand final is played 1 in a fortnight, with its 8-5 win i at Queen Elizabeth II Park , pool last evening. The win was particularly meri- i torious because three of Beckenham! top eight players were i absent. , j University I will now play l ; Wharenui. which beat South ; Brighton last evening, for the ■ other place in the grand final. In the other senior game, Jellle Park and University II drew. 3-all, in a friendly game. BECKENHAM-SOCKBURN I: I M. A. Harding 4, L. M. Scott 2,. B. M. Mustchin 2. UNIVERSITY I 5: R Gunthorp 4. P. R. Tweedie !■

Probably the best game of the season, this could also have been one of the closest. For three of the quarters, the teams matched goals, but BeckenhamSockburn took its clear lead in the second quarter. It scored three goals without ’reply, and University only had itself to blame for slipping so ’far behind. A man up and on attack. University lost possession; Harding broke with lightning swiftness and scored; and the iting had gone from University. It fought back, with Gunthoip particular!' prominent and Tweedie playing superbly but Beckenham controlled play outstandingly. None Played better ithan the captain, Scott, who as I well as scoring twice from

medium-length shots, distributed ,' the ball shrewdly. WHARENUI 13: R. A. Clark .1. , I. L. Gunthorp 3, P G McClure 3. G. W. Campbell 2 M. J. Cal ' laghan 2. 1 SOUTH BRIGHTON 1: C J Gurr. l! Wharenui often allows its > standards to slip when it is i ’ aware it is sure of victory, but -lit concentrated much better on - this occasion and subjected I South Brighton to very beavy . pressure. The forward trio of Clark, a > verv mature flaser for one std I in the under 18 team. Gunthorp t and Campbell had a very happv - understanding, and the onh r reply by South Brighton was the < goal to Gun. his first since i when he plaved for Elmwond