High scoring draws and Demons’ blitz highlight round 2 of the Geraldton Water Polo season

The Aquarena hosted round 2 of the water polo 2022/2023 season on Friday and Saturday, with some exciting matches playing out.

With five draws out of 13 matches, the level of competition was high and evenly matched.

The A Grade games were all action-packed, with some great performances from across the teams.

Jack Cocking stepped up to A Grade helping Demons secure a 12-4 victory over Rats.

The Rats’ side was overwhelmed in the first half, unable to score until well into the third quarter with the game well and truly gone.

The Country week side gave the B52’s a good game finishing in a high-scoring 9-9 draw as Kurt Tunbridge grabbed a hat-trick for the B52’s side.

Women’s A grade Serpents versus Rats was a tense game with some fantastic defensive play, the match finishing 1-1.

In the other A Grade game, B52’s were unable to build on their first-round victory, drawing 4-4 against a capable Demons side. Abbie MacDonald was on fire for the Demons, with three goals in the first half.

Rats Orange dominated Demons gold in the Women’s C grade match-up.

The Rats side put 10 goals past the overwhelmed Demons goalie as the Demons side managed some great setup up play but struggled in the transition to offence.

Bree Clarke was more than capable in the middle but was unable to help her side link attacking plays together.

B Grade had the men’s B52’s take on Demons in a tense match, with B52’s winning 10-6 despite a heroic effort from Jack Cocking who got all six goals for the Demons.

The Relics took on Rats on Friday, with Relics coming out on top 7-2.

Ashley Sojan a standout for the Relics with two goals in the second and last quarters.

The Women’s B Grade match featuring Serpents vs Demons finished 8-5 to the Demons.

The Serpents only managed to score in the second quarter with the Demons’ goalie making some essential saves throughout the game.

The other Women’s B grade between Rats and B52’s finished 7-7, with Hailee Horsman a standout for the B52’s team with three goals.

Referee coordinator Russell McKinnon said the level of play in the first two weeks of competition was “outstanding”.

“Although some players tired near the end of games and they were a little rusty at the start, players have soon found their rhythm and produced some fine water polo,” he said.

“The new rules were introduced seamlessly where the awarding and taking of penalties being the major focus at the weekend.

“These helped speed up the game and gave more advantage to the shooter, especially when it came to rebounds.”

Full results of round 2:

A Grade:

WA Serpents v Rats 1-1

WA Demons v B52’s 4-4

MA Rats v Demons 4-12

MA Country Week v B52’s 9-9

B Grade:

WB Rats v B52’s 7-7

WB Serpents v Demons 5-8

MB B52’s Relics v Rats 7-2

MB B52’s v Demons 10-6

C Grade:

WC Demons Black v Rats Black 3-4

WC Demons Gold v Rats Orange 2-10

WC Serpents v B52’s 5-5

MC B52’s Blue v B52’s White 4-9

MC Rats v Demons 2-5