Geraldton water polo round 6: Demons win grand final rematch and end the B52’s undefeated streak

Demons ended B52’s unbeaten run, defeating them 7-6 in a rematch of last year’s A-grade women’s water polo grand final on Saturday. Teamwork was the key for Demons with Melissa Buscomb showcasing her usual goalkeeping prowess. Sian and Abbie McDonald both contributed to the winning score while India Newman and Trixie Kerr provided solid support to generate forward momentum. Despite the B52’s Emma Smith, Evie Prout, and Nicole Chamberlain putting in solid quarters, they could not secure the win. Demons coach Zac Cross expressed pride in his team for defeating B52’s. “I’m very proud of how the women played . . . they all played an excellent game and the juniors really stepped up when we needed them too,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time we had a win over B52s, so the girls were all stoked with their efforts.” In the other women’s A-grade game, a heavily depleted Rats took on the composite team, winning 8-5, with Milly Kalajzich scoring four goals in the win. Turning to the men’s A-grade games, Relics held Demons to a 5-5 draw with Zac and Joel Cross once again shining for Demons. Drew Macgregor made several athletic saves for Demons while Ben Saunders provided great passes to set up important attacking plays. Relics played a clever game, outpacing the Demons side, with Kurt and Drew Tunbridge both performing strongly. In the other A-grade game, B52’s defeated Rats, with the father-son duo of Leo and Daniel Prout both finding the scoresheet. Rats played well and showed improvement, with Quentin Green and Luke Neuwert demonstrating the value of experience for their side. Green made some athletic saves early in the game to keep Rats in contention. In women’s B-grade games, B52’s dominated against Demons, winning 8-2, as Evie Prout was instrumental once again, scoring two goals and creating multiple chances. B52’s junior Prout has stepped up in A and B-grade along with being a part of the Geraldton AYWPC, and is rapt with the progress of the team this season. “The team this season is going so well, in both A-grade and B-grade for me . . . all the competition is very close too, which makes the comp more interesting to watch and play” she said. Serpents fell to Rats in the other B-grade game, 2-9, with Sophia Kalajzich scoring a hat-trick. B52’s pulled out an 11-7 win over Rats in men’s B-grade, while Demons secured a convincing 14-5 win against Relics, with Tom Manuel and Adam Foster combining for eight goals for the victorious Demons. In men’s C-grade games, B52’s displayed dominance against Rats with a 14-4 win and Demons beat B52’s 8-5. The women’s C-grade matchups saw Serpents Green lose to Demons Black 7-5 while Demons Yellow drew with Serpents Yellow 6-6.