B52s conquer Demons to cap off a dominant water polo season and complete three-peat

There was never any doubt over where the flag was heading as the B52s women’s A-grade side capped off an outstanding season with a grand final victory over a skilled Demons side 13-5 on Saturday.

Tenielle Hawke continued her supremacy in the water by winning the best in water award.

The Demons looked nervous from the start and struggled to find a good attacking rhythm, whereas the B52s were pushing up towards goal with a relentless energy.

Early goals from Indi Smith, Abby Benham and Amy Johnson saw the winners go into the first break with a 4-1 lead with Kobi Toomath scoring one for the Demons.

Things slowed for both sides in the second quarter with good performances from Emily Larsen in B52s’ goal and Melissa Buscomb in the Demons’ net.

Another goal from Toomath was cancelled out by Aimee Hagan as the first half finished with the Demons chasing a 5-2 deficit.

The third quarter was a close affair with the B52s scoring three from Keshi McCagh, Hawke and Evie Prout.

The Demons managed two of their own from Toomath and Abbie MacDonald.

If the Demons were just about hanging on they were blown away in the final quarter with five more goals from Emma Smith, Hagan and another two from Hawke.

The final goal from Hawke with less than a minute on the clock capped off a great season for her and the B52s team, unbeaten in the pool with several players in the top five on the individual scoring ladder.

B52s coach Corey Smith could hardly contain his pleasure at the end of the hard-fought match.

“It was a fantastic, professional effort by everyone in the pool,” he said.

“We showed our worth as the class of the competition but a big congratulations to Demons on the incredible season, it was great going against you all season.”

The B-grade women’s final provided the shock result of the season as the third-placed Rats beat minor premiers B52s 7-6.

Milly Kalajzich was sensational for the Rats side scoring three goals and winning the best in water award as Rats led from the first throw and held the B52s to a 0 scoreline for the first half.

The B52s came alive in the third quarter with goals from Bella Teakle, Michelle Pratt and Julia Gourley but goals from Kalajzich and Tessa O’Malley sealed the win for the Rats side.

There were no surprises in the C grade grand final, with minor premiers Rats Orange putting in a convincing performance to beat Rats Black 15-1.

Charlotte Crawford won the best in pool award for the Rats Orange side.

Rats Orange coach Julie Chesson was delighted with the side’s performance.

“I am so proud of the girls all year, they played amazing, it was a fantastic team effort,” she said.

Geraldton Water Polo Association representative Julia Gourley relayed what a fantastic season it had been.

“It has been a phenomenal season from Dolphin Ball back for the first time since COVID and our junior teams attending the Australian Youth Championships this past January in Perth,” she said.

“We still have country week championships to go which is next weekend in Rockingham and our showcase day at Towns Beach in March for our Water Polo by the Sea.”

“We thank all our sponsors alongside all the media support we are provided, without it we wouldn’t be so successful within the Geraldton community.”