B52s look to continue domination of Geraldton water polo season as Demons hope for upset

As the Christmas break nears, there are clear favourites in most divisions in the Geraldton water polo season.

It will come as no surprise to anyone who has even kept just a fleeting eye on the water polo action this season that the B52s are in pole position in most divisions.

The men’s A-grade team had a decisive but close victory against the country week composite side last round, with Kurt and Drew Tumbridge showing real class throughout the game as the B52s sit on the top of their ladder with a 100 per cent record.

Demons are the best chance to break that streak after their 14-3 victory over Rats proved they are a force to be reckoned with.

The game against the two in-form sides in Friday night’s game will be big in the context of the season to see if anyone is able to get over the top of the B52s.

Demons’ goalie Drew MacGregor praised his team after their solid performance last week, but was mindful of dismissing opposition teams.

“Feeling good going into tonight, boys played very well last rounds, tight defence than some good swimming giving us good opportunities in offence,” he said.

The men’s Rats will be looking to regroup after their loss against Demons, hopeful a match against the composite side can provide a more positive experience.

The B52s have also impressed in the women’s A-grade with their close, but solid victory against Demons in last weekend’s round showcasing their class.

Tenielle Hawke has shown skills worthy of a national-level player, the B52s star leading the goal-scoring charts with 15 goals in eight games more than double anyone else in the division.

As with the men’s the Demons are probably the best of the rest with a solid line-up of Abbie and Sian MacDonald, Trixie Kerr and Anouska Barnes putting in solid performances in every game.

With the B52s taking on Serpents and Demons taking on Rats, results may very well go to form.

Serpents have been rebuilding after being unable to consistently get a team in the pool in early rounds and Zoe Crowcroft, Jill Gamble and Jorja Pike all showed improvement form in the last two rounds.

Rats also have shown some fine form in recent games, Milla Penberthy particularly impressive for the Rats side but they look a step below Demons and B52s at this stage.

In men’s B-grade games B52s will take on the B52s Relics with the Relics looking for redemption after losing the two previous derbies by narrow margins.

The Rats take on Demons after both sides put in good performances in the last round.

B-grade women’s games feature B52s against Demons and Serpents taking on Rats with the B52s likely to be too strong while Rats will fancy their chances against Serpents.

In C-grade B52s Blue play Demons and Rats take on B52s White while in the women’s games, Demons Gold have a derby against Demons Black, Serpents play Rats Orange and Rats Black take on the B52s.