Geraldton water polo round 12: Relics keep hot streak going against top side Demons

The Relics picked up a win over top side Demons and continued their hot streak over the weekend, winning five of their last six games after starting the season without a victory.

The Relics managed the surprising 7-5 victory over the ladder leaders on Saturday, with Nick Pead and Kurt Tunbridge standing out for the winners.

Pead scored a hat-trick and setting up goals for other players while the Demons played well, and the return of Lachy Toomath inspired some exceptional play going forward.

In the other men’s A-grade game, the B52’s beat the Rats impressively, winning 10-5 as Ash Sojan, Callum Sojan and Daniel Prout scored six goals between them for the B52’s.

While the Rats had their moments and looked like they might swing the result early in the game, with fine attacking play from Kye McVee and Oliver Green, the B52’s secured the victory.

The women’s A-grade teams played two matches, given that the majority of their players were unavailable last week.

On Thursday, the Demons outclassed the Rats winning in style with a score of 10-5, as the Demons started with an electric pace, scoring four goals in quick succession.

Despite a comeback attempt by the Rats, with Lani Grant and Tessa O’Malley bringing them back into the game by the close of the first half, superb goalkeeping from Mel Buscumb in the Demons’ goal kept most Rats attacks at bay.

Olivia Higgs scored three for the winners, and Zoe Sellars netted three rockets from a distance as the young Demon exhibited real tenacity when carving a path through the middle of the pool.

The Demons also faced the B52’s on Saturday, with the B52’s prevailing in a close game with the final score of 5-4 reflecting the back-and-forth tussle in the pool.

The B52’s had goals from various players, with Emma Smith and Abbie Hagan scoring two vital goals in the first quarter.

Despite the Demons scoring first, with goals from Anouska Barnes and Trixie Kerr, the second-placed ladder side could not build enough momentum to secure all the points.

In the men’s B-grade games, the B52’s defeated the Rats 9-5 with Jimmy Horsman, Lucas Ronan, and Craig Harrington each scoring two for the winners.

In the other B-grade game, the Relics played the Demons, with the Demons winning a tight affair 10-8. Lachy Toomath suited up for the B-grade Demons as well, dominating with six goals across the game.

In the women’s B-grade games, the B52’s had a convincing 8-5 victory over the Demons, with Michelle Prout scoring four well-placed goals for the winners.

The Serpents suffered a capitulating defeat against the Rats, losing by 13-2, with Lani Grant exceptional for the winning team.