Challengers look to make their mark as Demons take on B52’s in Geraldton Water Polo Association

If you were to just go on results, and with the men’s and women’s B52’s sides both sitting atop the ladders, it would be difficult to imagine anyone mounting a challenge to catch up to them.

But strong performances by Demons in the women’s and men’s matches have shown the season is far from over, but they will need to be at their best when the two sides meet this weekend.

The men’s ladder leaders will be looking to assert their dominance early on and cement their claim to the top spot, but the Demons will be buoyed coming off their own win, with Peter Manuel scoring a hat-trick.

Jack Cocking and Drew MacGregor have impressed in the early-season games and will make the men’s Rats side a force to be reckoned with when they take on Country Week.

Coach Darcy Wiffen will be hopeful of a bit more luck this round after many of his shots grazed the bar in their defeat by the Demons.

“I feel good going into the games this weekend. We’re playing the composite team so it will help develop our younger A-grade players,” he said.

“Usually when we go up against them we look out for Corey Smith in the centre forward. He’s a strong, experienced player, and Zacc and Joel Cross pose threats for their agility in the pool.”

In the women’s A-grade, Serpents will hope to derail the dominant B52’s after their win against Rats in round five.

Zoe Rowcroft will be hopeful of topping Tenielle Hawke at the top of the scoring ladder.

Despite the Serpents’ poor record, B52’s player and B-grade coach Aimee Hagan said the team would not take them lightly.

“The Serpents will come to play after a tough start to their season. We will be ready and pumped for the game,” she said.

“We have our future players playing A and B, with our younger girls all playing fantastic water polo so far.”

Rats take on Demons in the other A-grade match-up, with both sides keen to come back from close but impressive defeats at the weekend.

In B-grade games, B52’s Relics go up against the B52’s ,with the Relics wanting revenge after falling to a close 8-6 loss to their clubmates in round three.

Demons take on Rats in the other men’s B-grade match. Cocking was impressive in the previous rounds for the Demons.

In B-grade women’s matches Demons face B52’s, with Hailee Horsman keen to continue her impressive run, scoring four goals against Rats in round five as Rats take on Serpents in the other B-grade match-up.

In C-grade women’s matches, Demons Black play B52’s, Rats Orange are in an intraclub battle against Rats Black, and Demons Gold take on Serpents.

Rats Orange and Rats Black are fighting for top spot, with Tyde Crickmay topping the scoring ladder for Demons Black, and the women’s division is still wide open.

In the men’s competition, B52’s White play Rats and Demons face B52’s Blue.