Sydney Uni Lions Blue stamped itself as the one to beat in the Water Polo NSW Under 14 Girls State Championships after an incredible comeback win on Thursday morning.
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Lions Blue met the Hunter Hurricanes, the other undefeated side in the competition, in the biggest game of the tournament at Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre so far.
After an even first quarter, which finished at 1-all, the Hurricanes lifted and shot out to a 4-1 lead.
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But right on the half time siren, Sydney Uni scored to get back within two.
That moment proved to be a turning point as Sydney Uni dominated the second half and ran out 7-5 winners.
“I don’t even know what to say,” exhausted Sydney Uni coach Ivana Drakulic said.
“The girls can get quite worried at this age so you never know exactly what you’re going to get form them but what’s really good is they keep pushing, they come together and it was a nice team effort in the comeback and I’m really proud of them.”
Drakulic said all under 14s players could be “a bit all over the place” at times due to their lack of experience and ability to handle the occasion.
A bumper crowd was on hand for the match and Hunter handled it better early, moving the ball well and controlling the pace of the game.
But in a classic game of two halves, the Lions Blue outfit “kept it together” and Sienna Green, Samantha Hardingham and Jessica Oates were both in the thick of the action as their side got back in the game.
By the end of the third quarter things were all square at 5-5 and the Sydney Uni girls had their tails up and a mature fourth quarter performance, where they cut back on the fouls, saw them get home.
“They kept their cool after the second half,” Drakulic said of her side.
“Hunter are a fantastic team and you know they’re going to come at you, they play really well and that normally gets them the win.”
Oates scored early in the fourth quarter to give her side an important 6-5 lead and it wasn’t long before that margin was extended, with Hardingham finding the back of the net.
That proved to be the best match of the day, with the Lions Blue outfit brushing aside Division C team SNB Breakers White 13-0 in their other game.
With such a strong record heading into the finals on Friday, Drakulic said there was no doubt her side was a genuine contender.
“The girls have been improving consistently and going really well this season so I would oblivious if I said they didn’t have it in them,” she said.
“I think the girls think that too, and that’s the most important thing. They’ve been going around the cycle for so long but now they’re thinking ‘no, this is our year’ and that can be the push they need to get over the line.”
Drakulic added her side was having a great time at Dubbo.
“Everyone’s been great. I think this has been a really, really good trip for the whole club and everyone is just improving,” she said.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
