
Ross O'Brien Shooting
On February 6th Wests Magpies began their defence of the men’s National Water Polo League crown in rusty fashion with a 14-10 loss to Victorian Tigers at the University of New South Wales.
Despite a 2-0 lead, Wests had lost the advantage by quarter time and always had to play catch-up, only twice coming within a goal in the last three periods.
For the Tigers it was back to winning after a draw with Hunter Hurricanes the night before and it saw the Tigers’ United States import, Miles Price, to the fore with four goals.
The Tigers women suffered their first defeat in three matches against a spirited UNSW Killer Whales outfit, going down 13-8.

Lea Barta Goal Keeping
The supreme efforts of goalkeeper Lea Barta and five-goal heroine Ali Gronow put paid to the Tigers’ game plan. For Gronow it was bittersweet, scoring against her former club for the first time.
In Brisbane, the KFC Breakers racked up two wins over the Adelaide Jets with the men romping home 15-5 and the women 12-10.
In the women’s encounter, Sydney Olympic gold medallist Naomi McCarthy scored three goals in a comeback to the NWPL for the Breakers while Adelaide’s goals came from eight different players.

Lauren Machanis Goal Keeping
The next day, World Cup and Commonwealth champion Fiona Hammond turned on the power for her Sydney University Lions team in National Water Polo League action at the Sydney University Lions vs. Hunter Hurricanes game on February 7.
Hammond scored six goals as her team thumped Hunter Hurricanes 18-9, thus starting its campaign with a victory.
It was a tough opening half with the Lions holding a two-goal lead at quarter time but only a 6-5 margin at halftime with Hammond scoring four.
A 7-2 third period was the difference with the Lions swimming away with the match.
Younger sister Melissa Hammond was also on fire with four goals, including a hat-trick in the third period.

Kate Lee Williams
The Sydney Uni and Hunter men’s teams battled to an 8-all draw.
The Victorian Tigers turned the tables on the University of New South Wales Killer Whales with an 11-8 decision following Thursday’s 13-8 win for the Killer Whales.
Also on February 7, Reigning men’s champions Wests Magpies suffered a second defeat to the Victorian Tigers, falling 10-2 after Thursday’s 14-10.
In Brisbane, the KFC Breakers men went on a goal fest against the Adelaide Jets with a 20-3 result, thanks to Billy Miller’s six-goal haul — five in the first half as the Breakers led 10-1.
The Breakers women had to fight for a 10-8 win after leading 10-6 with four minutes remaining. Kate Miller topped the scoring with four goals for the home team.
RESULTS:
6th February 2009:
Men:
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 14 (M Price 4, R Moody 3, S Lewis 2, L Gavin, J Gilchrist, J Disken, I Lark, J Woods) Wests Magpies 10 (W Eames 3, D Swinnerton, S Cody 2, R O’Brien, C Eames, M Toldonato).
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 15 (D Will, B Miller 3, A Martin, G Waterman, S Robertson 2, T Knox, J Votan, M Birch) Adelaide Jets 5 (L Northcote 2, L Vezzosi, T Dayman, A Martin).
Women:
Sydney: UNSW Killer Whales 13 (A Gronow 5, K Moran 3, A Carter 2, S Grunberger, N Jackson, Liu Ping) Victorian Tigers 8 (A Van Ommen, E Rosato 2, L Webster, EJ Grahame, R Webster, M Jacka).
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 12 (S Mills 4, K Miller, N McCarthy 3, C Grayson, E Bowden) Adelaide Jets 10 (I Bishop, L Callahan 2, C Murphy, M Hatcher, J Martin, S Murphy, K Green, D Wawrzinski).
7th February 2009:
Men:
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 20 (B Miller 6, A Martin 4, G Waterman 3, A Rotsey, S Robertson 2, D Streets, M Wilson, T Jenkins) Adelaide Jets 3 (J McKown, L Northcott, G Bretag-Norris).
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 10 (J Gilchrist, S Lewis 2, R Sinclair, L Gavin, M Gronow, K Smith, J Woods, M Price) Wests Magpies 2 (S Cody, T Blewitt), Sydney University Lions 8 Hunter Hurricanes 8 (scorers unavailable).
Women:
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 10 (K Miller 4, S Horgan 3, E Bowden 2, S Farquhar) Adelaide Jets 8 (L Callahan 3, S Ricketts 2, J Martin, I Bishop, D Wawrzynski).
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 11 (EJ Grahame, A Van Ommen, R Webster, K Dowrick 2, K Frazer, M Jacka. E Rosato) UNSW Killer Whales 8 (K Mirabito 3, A Gronow, A Carter 2, Liu Ping).
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