WATER POLO

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33753, 28 January 1975, Page 16

WATER POLO

For the first time this season, the lead In the premier water polo competition is held solely. Wharenul A became a two-point leader last evening when both the Beckenhamlockbum sides defaulted.

The reasons for the defaults Were that Beckenham-Sockbum A supplied three players for the New Zealand side, and the B team another two, as well as the coach. They needed a rest. It also meant that South Brighton scored its first competition points of the season—at the unexpected expense of Becken-ham-Sockburn A—and University kept its third placing with victory after a struggle, against Wharenui B.

The results of the games, and by making the customary allowance of a 5-0 score for default games, means that the points, with goals for and against in parenthesis are:— Wharenui A 15 (77-24), Becken-ham-Sockburn 13 (66-28), University 3 (51-16), Beckenham-Sock-burii B 6 (36-46), Wharenul B 4 (41-62), South Brighton 2 (17-81). It was only in the third quarter that the greater collective experience of University enabled it to go into a lead. The much younger Wharenui team took its chances better, and University was also generally a man down. However. Wharenul, a 4-3 leader at half-time, could not maintain the pressure and conceded four goals while scoring only one in the final two-quarters. But a youngster who took the eye was Ronald Carlson, who has the swimming ability physique, and surprisingly good handling to make a very useful player. Scorers for University were Greg Crawford (2). Peter Hay (2), Paul Carplnter. Michael Johnston, ad Warwick Williamson. Richard Tweedie (2), Carlson. Matthew Lewis, and Alan jHessey scored for Wharenui.