Geraldton water polo round 14 preview: Ladder tightening up heading into final rounds

With only two rounds remaining for the regular season and the majority of top places up for grabs, the pressure is on for the Geraldton Water Polo Association teams.

In the men’s A-grade, the Demons have secured the top spot, leaving the Rats, Relics, and B52’s fighting for the remaining qualifying places.

Saturday sees the Demons face the B52’s, with both sides coming off a big win in the previous round.

Joel and Zacc Cross continue to score goals, while the rest of the Demons are producing plenty of scoring opportunities.

The B52’s have their own young guns, with Callum Sojan, Jimmy Horsman and Leo Prout showing good form of late.

The Rats have had their moments but have not been able to put a good run together, with the experience of Luke Neuwert and Darcy Wiffen carrying the team through some difficult games.

The Relics have come good of late, securing a few wins, with Nick Pead showing good form for the third-placed side.

In the women’s A-grade, the B52’s have also secured the minor premiership, with the second-placed Demons unable to catch them. The other places are set, with the Rats in third.

Teams will be playing on Friday to ensure good form going into finals, with confidence at stake for all players in the water.

For the Demons, the dynamic duo of Abbie and Sian MacDonald has proved to be formidable, with the defensive prowess of Trixie Kerr invaluable to the side.

B52’s exhibit true strength in depth, with Abbie Hagan, Emma Smith, Evie Prout, Abbey Benham and Maddie Pead all displaying great cohesive play in the pool.

The Rats hope to welcome back Selina Kiddle in goal, providing forthright direction to the defenders on her side.

In the women’s B-grade games, a correction is needed for the round 11 Demons game against the Rats, where the Demons were convincing winners, scoring 14-7.

In a thrilling match-up, Demons forward Billie Marshall scored eight goals and pressured Abby Pirrottina in the Rats’ goal.

The Rats have a chance for some payback when the teams meet again on Saturday. The Serpents face the B52’s in the other match-up.

In the men’s B-grade games, the Relics hope for a different result than the 18-5 defeat suffered at the hands of the B52’s in round 11 when they face them again on Saturday, while the Demons play the Rats in the other game.