Polo makes a splash

Northern Territory’s number 11 PTE Camille Reed tussles for possession with South Queensland’s goalie, PTE Becky Wilken, in the women’s national finals. NT won the game 7-4.

Photo by LAC Mark McConnell.

NT’s number 3 CAPT Karen Such lines up the shot against the defence of SQLD’s SIG Bronwyn MacLean.

Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

By Rachel Irving

THE ADF’s best waterpolo players took the plunge this month at RAAF Base Amberley as teams hit the water for the national championships.

After several days of intense competition, the two standout, and incidentally undefeated teams for the competition, Northern Territory for the women and North Queensland for the men, went on to take their respective titles.

The women’s final was a showdown between Northern Territory and the home team, South Queensland, NT too strong with a 7-4 win.

The game began tightly, a closely fought tussle, with neither keen to concede a goal, and well into the second quarter NT were just two points up, 2-0.

The third term saw goals on the board for both teams, the two goalkeepers, Private Kylie Mitchell for NT and Private Becky Wilken for SQLD, faced with a tough job.

Despite SQLD scoring three times in the third quarter, NT kept the pressure on, securing the quarter 6-3, before a full-time score of 7-4 to NT.

Standout players were NT’s number 11 Private Camille Reed who dominated the attack and intimidated in defence and SQLDs number 3 Signaller Amy Ferrill.

The men’s final was an all Queensland affair with the North taking on the South in a game which, although reflecting well for NQLD with a 17-11 win, was a solid match of will and enthusiasm.

NQLD’s number 2 Corporal Luke Woodland and SQLDS number 8 Craftsman Craig Spence controlled the game for their teams early in the match.

NQLD were strong throughout, with number 9 Craftsman Mason Watts handy with goals, and Woodland also showing good ball skills with several nice goals and excellent defence.

After the first quarter, NQLD led 5-1 but SQLD scored several times in the second to make headway on the scoreboard. But every time they made the net NQLD answered and seemed to be just playing with their southern counterparts, the scoreline 10-3 at half time.

The lead then blew out 14-4 with just two minutes to play in the third, Spence a standout for his team which could do little to stop the northern onslaught, 15-6 the three-quarter time score.

A rev from SQLD’s goalie, Warrant Officer Class 2 Nick Rees at the final break gave the blue caps the incentive they needed to lift, with several goals including those from Sergeant Phil Fletcher and Corporal Dave Bloor, and a nice ball which slid into the net from Sapper Ben Candy, improving the scoreline and closing to within six goals.

But NQLD had all the answers and toyed with their opposition, replying each time the blues scored and taking the game 17-11.

Carnival organiser Captain Scott Davis, said the games were a big success.

“The turnout this year has been excellent and the standard very high,” Captain Davis said.

“There have been several standout performances, including those by our Most Valuable Players, Private Camille Reed and Craftsman Craig Spence, as well as Lieutenant Alison Guest and Corporal Luke Woodland.”

The ADF teams for next year’s tour to England to play in the British inter-Service championships were announced on the day, with Air Force’s Sergeant Jon Preston among those selected.

The teams will play in Newcastle during the Easter long weekend next year at the Australian championships.

ADF Women:

• PTE Becky Wilken,
• MIDN Eleisha Flaskas,
• CPL Kerri Bremner,
• LT Brooke Haxell,
• CAPT Cat Crane,
• PTE Camille Reed,
• Rachel Lyons,
• LT Ali Guest,
• CPL Belinda Watts,
• PTE Sarah Fisk,
• PTE Tyne Layt,
• AB Suzie Clarkson,
• MAJ Carol Young.
• Reserves: SIG Bron MacLean, PTE Amanda Ind, PTE Taryn Moran, SGT Karina Peacock, SIG Amy Ferrill, CPL Rachael Blom.
  

ADF Men:

• PTE Damien Irish,
• CPL Luke Woodland,
• PTE Phil Wolanski,
• SGT Adrian Luke,
• CFN Mason Watts,
• Ty Martin,
• CAPT Scott Davis,
• SGT Phil Fletcher,
• CFN Craig Spence,
• CPL Dave Bloor,
• PTE Darren Burtenshaw,
• LT Nick Whitehead,
• LT Robert Ryan.
• Reserves: WO2 Nick Rees, SGT Jon Preston, CPL Ian Sutherland, Vlad Kaliger, Scott Grainger, CAPT Eric Kerr, PTE Josh Camp, Richard Gregory, CFN Brad Sanderson, WO2 Simon Hurdle.
  
  

.