Sport
Blueys fight it out to the end
Tuesday 25 March, 2008 12:00am
BLUEYS women's water polo teams competed in three grand finals last weekend at Ryde Pool Ladies 5th grade (L5), Ladies 4th grade (L4) and Ladies 3rd grade (L3).
All games were cliffhangers, with L4 and L5 going into extra time.
The L4 girls played Macquarie University (who they have beaten three times this season) and Macquarie got out to a lead early on in the game.
After some accurate outside shooting, they took a 7-4 lead in the third quarter.
A great fight back from Blueys in the fourth quarter saw the score hit 7-7 just before full time.
A six-minute period of extra time (golden goal) was then to be played.
Both teams had a couple of unsuccessful attacks, when Kerry Martin finally put away a brilliant top corner shot that the Macquarie University goalie had no chance of reaching.
Blueys won the game 8-7. An unbelievable game by Kerry Martin saw her score seven goals.
Julie Celeban and Kristy Stanton always managed to get up the pool quickly in attack and the whole team defended well.
L5 played against Drummoyne B, a team who went through the regular season undefeated.
It was a great team game, but Vicky Gorham was exceptionally strong in goals and Louise Moodie and Alaine Watson worked tirelessly on the field.
The Blueys were in the lead 4-2 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but a tough fight back from Drummoyne saw the game end in a draw, 6-6.
Extra time (golden goal) and the Drummoyne Centre Forward scored an unstoppable goal to take the win 7-6.
The final game for the day was the L3 game.
Blueys were up against Drummoyne (who are made up mostly of old rivals St George).
Drummoyne got off to a great start and just about blew the Blueys out of the pool.
Drummoyne were up 5-1 eight seconds before half time, when Elissa Piper sat up at half way and shot a beautiful goal into the top corner, making the score 5-2.
This inspired a Blueys fightback and with two minutes to go the game was level at 2-2.
A great shot by Drummoyne in extra time gave them a 6-5 win.
Jill Doyle, Aleasha Vreeken and goalkeeper Nicole Birrell all played strong matches.
Blueys goals were scored by Aleasha Vreeken, Lorinda Gobbo, Jill Doyle, Kerrie Malone and Elissa Piper.
