Wharenui, Sockburn draw in water polo

Press, 10 December 1981, Page 27

Wharenui, Sockburn draw in water polo

Wharenui A maintained its two-point lead in the premier A grade water polo competition at Queen Elizabeth II Park this week, but only after a spinetingling finish. A one-goal winner of the first match against Sockburn A, Wharenui this time looked doomed for defeat. Ahead 1-2 in the first quarter, it then slipped well behind in the next two quarters. 6-3 and 8-4. with John Davie going on a goal-scoring rampage of opportunism and quick reactions.

But almost unbelievably. Wharenui battled back to 8-9. even if its cause looked lost with two players out of the water. Sockburn attacking, and only 20s remaining. But Wharenui’s goalie. Nigel Ward, got the ball, •a quick counter-break got an over-lap, and Wharenui scored fur a 9-all draw.

In fact, it scored four goals without reply in the final quarter, Bryan Mustchin being out for the balance of the match, leaving Sockburn a player short, and both sides on the’ir knees.

They had only eight players each, of an allowable 13, so there was only one substitute available at any 'time, and Wharenui lost its when Richard Tweedie was fouled out. There was another keenlyfought match to follow, Sockburn B beating an improving New Brighton team, 10-7. Rather oddly, the first and third quarters were “drawn,” Sockburn getting its advantage when attacking the so-called “shallow”-end. Fbr Sockburn, Nick Youngman had his best goal-scoring match, while Martin Potts, considered unfortunate to miss the national secondary schoolboys' team, matched Youngman’s'five goals. Detailed results:— ' WHARENUI A 9 (Richard Clark 5. Gary Campbell, John Koens, Steven Wakefield, own goal), SOCKBURN A 9 (John Davie 6. Martin Forbes. Lachi.e Marshall. Stephen Ward). SOCKBURN B 10 (Nick Youngman 5. Geoff Barrv 3. Brent Todd 2). NEW BRIGHTON 7 (Martin Potts 5. David Clarke 2). Wharenui B had the bve.