Congratulations to the City Beach Under 18 Boys who won the WA Water Polo Mens Challenge Cup Grand Final Sunday 22nd March at Bicton! In a thrilling victory of 7-6 over Triton, the boys came from third place on the ladder going into the semi finals on Saturday to gold medal winners on Sunday. The following boys, who will also represent City Beach at the Under 18 National Club Championships next month, played in yesterdays game; Lach Pethick, Nic Lantzke, Ben Vittino, Joe Goldfinch, Nathan Quinsee, Tom Powell, Tom Rigoll, Tim Ryall, Tim Putt, Jed Thompson, Connor Smith, Lachie Vos, Christian Kyriakou. A special mention to Carter Fabling who was unable to play due to an injury on Saturday – get well soon Carter! For the full match report see below a copy from WA Water Polo website;
MEN’S CHALLENGE CUP: CITY BEACH VS TRITON
An inspiring performance from City Beach’s Jed Thompson was the catalyst that got his team over hungry Triton. He scored two goals and was prominent in nearly all of his team’s other goals.
Triton got over the line by two goals against the premier team Phantoms yesterday, while City Beach won by seven goals against Melville, and were up and about early.
Nathan Quinsee scored a magnificent backhander to open City Beach’s account. Brad Mercer got Triton on the board soon after, scoring from long range. Thompson got his first, shortly before assisting Tim Putt to give City Beach a mini buffer. Mercer had other ideas, tapping the ball into the goals right on the quarter time siren.
After the break, City Beach’s Lach Pethick was able to flick one past the goalkeeper to extend his side’s margin. Thompson scored his second from a slight angle. Simon Brown was able to convert on the half time buzzer, to enable Triton to not have a scoreless quarter.
The third quarter proved to be the most decisive. Matt Osman scored for Triton to reduce the margin to only one goal. Both goalkeepers produced outstanding and inspirational performances blocking every shot to make the scoreboard intriguing for what was to be a sensational final quarter.
With everything on the line, both teams dug in, to find fight. Mercer equalled the scores after converting a penalty attempt. But it was now that Thompson showed why he was duly the MVP of the game. He assisted Putt to give City Beach a one goal lead, and then was barking instructions which allowed for Pethick to goal. Mercer goaled soon after to keep Triton in the game albeit to no avail as the full time siren rang, ending their hopes of claiming the 2015 Challenge Cup.
BY LORENZO FOGLIANI
WA Water Polo
