GALLANT GB BEATEN IN CALGARY FINAL Report #5

GB Juniors eventually ran out of luck in the Pan Pacific Tournament in Calgary, Canada, losing 18-5 to the undefeated Australian side in the final.

There is no doubt, however, that this first venture abroad for the GB boys was an outstanding success. In group matches, they drew with Canada, New Zealand and the United States but lost 15-5 to Australia. Then they edged out New Zealand in a thrilling semi-final settled in a penalty shoot-out.

For Invicta players Sean King and Jack Waller, there was the considerable added bonus of being selected in the tournament’s top seven players, alongside four Australians and one Canadian.

Sutton & Cheam’s Stephen Bayles and Waller scored two apiece in the final. The other scorer was James Wannop, of Lancaster. Period scores: 0-5, 2-3, 2-5, 1-5.

EIGHT-GOAL KING TAKES GB TO FINAL Report #4

Invicta’s Sean King and Sutton & Cheam goalkeeper Matt Holland were the heroes as Great Britain Juniors reached the final of the Pan Pacific Tournament in Calgary, Canada, with a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over New Zealand.

The sides had drawn 9-9 earlier in the competition and, once again, there was nothing between them.

The Kiwis led 8-6 at the halfway stage, but GB were just 10-9 adrift at the end of the third period and, inspired by King’s superb contribution of eight goals, battled through to level at 11-11 and force extra time.

GB actually went ahead with 30 seconds remaining of extra time – only to concede an equaliser ten seconds from the end. So it was all down to penalties – which proved absolutely no problem for the GB youngsters. King, Jack Waller and Glen Robinson all converted their five-metre shots while the outstanding Holland saved the first three from New Zealand.

National Performance Director Nick Hume was delighted with the performance. “The boys showed great spirit and determination,” he said.

GB now look forward to the final against Australia, who have won all their matches and, boosted by three weeks on tour prior to the Calgary event, have so far looked comfortably the strongest side. They beat GB 15-5, New Zealand 15-5, USA 20-6 and Canada 21-10. GB drew 8-8 against the United States and 10-10 against Canada.

For earlier reports from Calgary, click on the Events page. 

GB squad:  Matt Holland (Sutton & Cheam), Alan Chambers (Invicta), Brett Perkins (Manchester), Sean King (Invicta), James Wannop (Lancaster), Jack Waller (Invicta), Glen Robinson (Lancaster), Tom Kelly (Sheffield), Stephen Bayles (Sutton & Cheam), Jake Vincent (Solihull), Alasdair Campbell (Caledonia), Will Middleton (Cheltenham), Josh Smith (Sheffield), Richard Lawlor (Manchester). Coach: Tim Dunsbee. Team Manager: Helena Stocker. NPD: Nick Hume. Referee: Chris Freebury.


THREE DRAWS FOR GB JUNIORS Report #3

Great Britain Juniors are proving themselves the draw specialists of the Pan Pacific Tournament in Calgary, Canada – three of the first four matches ending all square. 

Following the 9-9 result against New Zealand and 15-5 defeat by tournament leaders Australia, GB came from two goals behind in the final period against the USA to secure a creditable 8-8 draw. Scorers were Brett Perkins (2), Jack Waller (2), Sean King, Glen Robinson, Tom Kelly and Alasdair Campbell. Period scores (GB first): 0-2, 4-2, 2-4, 2-0.

Invicta’s Sean King then scored four in a 10-10 draw against Canada. GB led 5-3 after the first period but the Canadians recovered to 7-7 in the third. Scorers: King (4), Waller, Robinson, Kelly, Will Middleton, Richard Lawlor. Period scores: 5-3, 0-1, 2-3, 3-3.

Following a first season back home in the National League, the Canadian trip marks the beginning of an exciting programme for GB Juniors in the build-up to the 2007 European qualifiers.

Squad in Canada:  Matt Holland (Sutton & Cheam), Alan Chambers (Invicta), Brett Perkins (Manchester), Sean King (Invicta), James Wannop (Lancaster), Jack Waller (Invicta), Glen Robinson (Lancaster), Tom Kelly (Sheffield), Stephen Bayles (Sutton & Cheam), Jake Vincent (Solihull), Alasdair Campbell (Caledonia), Will Middleton (Cheltenham), Josh Smith (Sheffield), Richard Lawlor (Manchester). Coach: Tim Dunsbee. Team Manager: Helena Stocker. NPD: Nick Hume. Referee: Chris Freebury.

GB JUNIORS DRAW WITH NEW ZEALAND Report #2 

Great Britain Juniors made a successful debut in the Pan Pacific Tournament in Calgary, Canada, drawing 9-9 with New Zealand. However, they were then well beaten 15-5 by a strong Australian team.

A poor second period – they lost 5-1 – cost GB a winning start against the Kiwis. At the halfway stage, New Zealand led 7-3. But GB won each of the last two periods 3-1. Scorers were Jack Waller (2), Glen Robinson (2), Alasdair Campbell (2), Sean King, Tom Kelly and Will Middleton.

Period scores against the Australians were: 0-4, 1-3, 3-5, 1-3. GB goals: Waller (2), Brett Perkins, Robinson, Richard Lawlor.

Also competing in the tournament are teams from Canada and the USA.

Following a first season back home in the National League, the Canadian trip marks the beginning of an exciting programme for GB Juniors in the build-up to the 2007 European qualifiers. 

Squad in Canada:  Matt Holland (Sutton & Cheam), Alan Chambers (Invicta), Brett Perkins (Manchester), Sean King (Invicta), James Wannop (Lancaster), Jack Waller (Invicta), Glen Robinson (Lancaster), Tom Kelly (Sheffield), Stephen Bayles (Sutton & Cheam), Jake Vincent (Solihull), Alasdair Campbell (Caledonia), Will Middleton (Cheltenham), Josh Smith (Sheffield), Richard Lawlor (Manchester). Coach: Tim Dunsbee. Team Manager: Helena Stocker. NPD: Nick Hume. Referee: Chris Freebury.

GB JUNIORS OFF TO CANADA Report #1

After a successful first season in the National League, the Great Britain junior squad head for their first major international competition – the Pan Pacific Tournament in Calgary, Canada, from 26 to 31 December.

Also competing are teams from Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

The trip marks the beginning of an exciting programme in the build-up to the 2007 European qualifiers.

Team manager Helena Stocker says: “The squad has benefited from playing together in Division One of the National League – it helped immensely to have match practice at this level. Many thanks to the National League and to the GB juniors’ clubs for enabling this to happen.

Junior squad:  Matt Holland (Sutton & Cheam), Alan Chambers (Invicta), Brett Perkins (Manchester), Sean King (Invicta), James Wannop (Lancaster), Jack Waller (Invicta), Glen Robinson (Lancaster), Tom Kelly (Sheffield), Stephen Bayles (Sutton & Cheam), Jake Vincent (Solihull), Alasdair Campbell (Caledonia), Will Middleton (Cheltenham), Josh Smith (Sheffield), Richard Lawlor (Manchester). Coach: Tim Dunsbee. Team Manager: Helena Stocker. NPD: Nick Hume. Referee: Chris Freebury.

Follow the NWPL website for results from Calgary!


DIRECTIONS (TO VENUES)

Bath :

Crowborough :

Lancaster :

Loughborough :

Manchester :

Millfield :

Nottingham Univ :

Ponds Forge :

Walsall :

Matt McGeehan, who plays National League water polo for the Caledonia club, provided the NWPL website with regular reports from the Commonwealth Championships in Perth.
 

FIFTH PLACE FOR ENGLAND 28 January 2006

England finished fifth in the Commonwealth Championships in Perth following two comfortable wins over Wales.

In the group match, Wales were beaten 14-3, Rotherham's Richard Leighton contributing four of the goals. Others on target were Adam Scholefield (2), Tom Curwen (2), Alex Parsonage (2), Craig Figes, Danny Williams and Andy Squires. Wales scored through Andrew Holt (2) and Chris Taylor.

The sides then met again the following day to decide fifth place – and this time England triumphed 16-1. Scorers: Craig Figes (4), Scott Carpenter (3), Danny Williams (2), Tom Curwen (2), Mark Banwell (2), Matt Thresher, Alex Parsonage, Adam Scholefield. Andy Holt scored the consolation for Wales.

England's women comprehensively defeated Scotland 32-3 but lost 12-5 to Australia in the semi-final. Scotland were sixth after losing 12-5 to South Africa.

SHARKS DEMOLISH ENGLAND 26 January 2006

It was the Aussie Sharks’ day on Australia Day at the Commonwealth Water Polo Championships, running out comfortable 21-2 winners against England.

Bristol's Craig Figes, the England captain, scored both goals as Thomas Whalan and company taught England’s young team a lesson. Whalan, the Australian captain, was recently top scorer in the Italian National League.

The pressure on England was relentless, with Trent Franklin top-scoring for the Sharks with four goals. Keepers Andrew Crawford, of Bristol, and Ed Scott, of Manchester, played two periods each and both performed well.

Wales competed in the first and last matches on Thursday. Daniel Laxton and Chris Taylor scored in their 18-2 defeat by New Zealand. Taylor and Julian Bewley, of Birkenhead, were on target in the 18-2 defeat by South Africa. 

England's women lost 16-2 to Australia. Scotland suffered two more heavy defeats – 29-1 to New Zealand and 12-1 to South Africa.

CRAIG’S WINNING STRIKE 25 January 2006

Skipper Craig Figes, of Bristol Central, scored the late goal that gave England a dramatic 8-7 victory over New Zealand at the Commonwealth Championships in Perth.

Figes and Lancaster's Tom Curwen each scored two. The other England goals came from Mark Banwell, David Taylor (both Cheltenham), Danny Williams and Matt Thresher (both Bristol). New Zealand coach Davor Carevic was red-carded in a tense finale.

Wales were comprehensively beaten by Australia 24-0 with Pietro Figilioli, who plays professionally in Italy, the leading marksman with five goals. 

In the women’s tournament, England went down 8-5 to New Zealand while Scotland were hammered 32-0 by tournament favourites Australia.

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ENGLAND 24 January 2006
 

England’s prospects of claiming a top four place in the Commonwealth Championships were dealt a blow when they went down 6-5 to Canada in Perth.

Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa now occupy the top positions. It could mean that England head for a fifth-sixth place play-off with Wales.

At the halfway stage against Canada, England trailed 4-2, having scored through Cheltenham's Mark Banwell and Lancaster's Tom Curwen. Curwen and captain Craig Figes scored in the second half before Alex Parsonage made the score level with one minute 47 seconds remaining.

However, Curwen was then excluded and Thomas Marks scored off the post after a time-out to clinch the Canadian victory.

ENGLAND 1. Andrew Crawford, 2. Scott Carpenter, 3. Matthew Thresher, 4. Mark Banwell (1 goal), 5. Craig Figes* (capt, 1), 6. Andrew Squires*, 7. Alex Parsonage (1), 8. Tom Curwen* (2), 9. Danny Williams, 10. Adam Scholefield*, 11. Richard Leighton*, 12. David Taylor*, 13. Ed Scott*

Earlier, Wales defeated Singapore 6-5 with two goals each from Daniel Laxton and Andrew Holt. Charlie Hinder and Rob Hopkins also scored.

WALES: 1. Tim Marshall, 2. Matthew Fox, 3. Chris Taylor, 4. Andrew Holt (2 goals), 5. Mike Davies, 6. Julian Bewley, 7. Nigel Davies, 8. Phil Jenkins, 9. Charlie Hinder (1), 10. Andrew Crayford, 11. Robert Hopkins (1), 12. Oliver Newcombe, 13. Daniel Laxton (2).

England women lost 11-8 to Canada in a tight contest. City of Manchester's Kate Lewis scored four goals and captain Frances Leighton two.
 
ENGLAND (Women): 1. Tara Smith, 2. Kate Lewis (4 goals), 3. Bernice Cowton, 4. Fiona McCann (1), 5. Chloe Wilcox, 6. Frances Leighton (capt, 2), 7. Hannah Wilde, 8. Christi Bardecki, 9. Carol Mohan (1), 10. Angela Winstanley-Smith, 11. Sarah Pimblett, 12. Larissa Davies, 13. Rosie Morris.

Scotland's women beat Singapore 11-7, with captain Fiona Greer, of Hammersmith Penguin, leading by example with four goals.

SCOTLAND: 1. Lynne Baird, 3. Fiona Greer (capt, 4 goals), 4. Julia MacKay (1), 5. Cathy Burns (1), 6. Jillian Connor, 7. Caroline Connor (2), 8. Gael Logan (1), 9. Katie Matthews (1), 10. Lucy MacGregor (1), 11. Susan Johnstone, 12. Lynn Ruddock, 13. Sam Souter.

HOTSHOT CURWEN ENSURES ENGLAND WIN 23 January 2006

Four goals in the final quarter by Lancaster’s Tom Curwen ensured that England defeated Singapore 13-6 on the second day of the Commonwealth Water Polo Championships in Perth.

England led by just a single goal after three periods. But then the Singaporeans visibly tired and England took charge. In addition to Curwen’s tally, Andy Squires, skipper Craig Figes and Scott Carpenter added further late goals.

Figes said: "The first three quarters were pretty slow. We were tired after all the travelling. And the combination of yesterday's game and another this morning was not ideal."

England: 1. Andrew Crawford*, 2. Scott Carpenter (2 goals), 3. Matthew Thresher*, 4. Mark Banwell, 5. Craig Figes* (capt, 2), 6. Andrew Squires (1)*, 7. Alex Parsonage, 8. Tom Curwen* (5), 9. Danny Williams, 10. Adam Scholefield*, 11. Richard Leighton* (2), 12. David Taylor (1), 13. Ed Scott.

WALES were hammered 29-2 by Canada. Their only goals were scored by Daniel Laxton and Chris Taylor.

WALES: 1. Tim Marshall, 2. Matthew Fox, 3. Chris Taylor (1 goal), 4. Andrew Holt, 5. Mike Davies, 6. Julian Bewley, 7. Nigel Davies, 8. Phil Jenkins, 9. Charlie Hinder, 10. Andrew Crayford, 11. Robert Hopkins, 12. Oliver Newcombe, 13. Daniel Laxton (1).

ENGLAND’S women’s demolished Singapore 33-0. Angela Winstanley-Smith scored ten and Larissa Davies six.

England: 1. Tara Smith, 2. Kate Lewis* (4 goals), 3. Bernice Cowton*, 4. Fiona McCann (2)*, 5. Chloe Wilcox (2)*, 6. Frances Leighton (capt, 1), 7. Hannah Wilde (1), 8. Christi Bardecki* (2), 9. Carol Mohan (5), 10. Angela Winstanley-Smith* (10), 11. Sarah Pimblett, 12. Larissa Davies (6), 13. Rosie Morris*

Despite numerous top class saves by City of Manchester goalkeeper Lynne Baird,  SCOTLAND women crashed 33-0 to Canada, who finished third at the Montreal World Championships last year. See www.scottishwomenswaterpolo.com for a full report.

SCOTLAND: 1. Lynne Baird, 3. Fiona Greer, 4. Julia MacKay, 5. Cathy Burns, 6. Jillian Connor, 7. Caroline Connor, 8. Gael Logan, 9. Katie Matthews, 10. Lucy MacGregor, 11. Susan Johnstone, 12. Lynn Ruddock, 13. Sam Souter.

ENGLAND BEATEN IN COMMONWEALTH OPENER 22 January 2006

Three goals apiece from captain Craig Figes and Tom Curwen were not enough to save England from an 11-8 defeat by a physical South African team in the opening match of the Commonwealth Championships at Challenge Stadium, Perth, Australia.

The game started evenly, with Simon Daley and Figes exchanging goals. Mark Banwell put England ahead but then South Africa hit back to lead 5-2 by the second period with goals by Bevan Manson, Donn Stewart, Ettienne le Roux and Pierre le Roux.

Richard Leighton was a constant threat at centre-forward for England, forcing the South African defence to drop. This encouraged some powerful shooting from the arc - Figes hit a post and then Curwen scored after Pierre le Roux was excluded

But South Africa always looked the stronger side, entering the final period with a five-goal cushion.

England then staged a minor comeback. Leighton scored an exquisite lob only for this to be cancelled out by Alastair Stewart's goal. Curwen scored his third goal of the game from the right wing and Figes added a brilliant cross-cage shot to complete his hat-trick.

Coach Norman Leighton reserved special praise for his young City of Manchester goalkeeper Ed Scott, "I was delighted with Ed's performance. Had it not been for him, we would have conceded a lot more goals,” he said.

"We were a bit slow to start. They were strong and tough to break down in defence. I was pleased with the centre-forwards, but we've got a bit of work to do." Match details:

England - 1. Andrew Crawford, 2. Scott Carpenter, 3. Matthew Thresher*, 4. Mark Banwell* (1 goal), 5. Craig Figes* (capt, 3), 6. Andrew Squires, 7. Alex Parsonage*, 8. Tom Curwen* (3), 9. Danny Williams, 10. Adam Scholefield, 11. Richard Leighton* (1), 12. David Taylor, 13. Ed Scott*. *Starting player.

England's women pulled off a comprehensive 10-2 victory over South Africa. Details: 

1. Tara Smith*, 2. Kate Lewis* (1 goal), 3. Bernice Cowton (3), 4. Fiona McCann, 5. Chloe Wilcox, 6. Frances Leighton (capt, 1), 7. Hannah Wilde, 8. Christi Bardecki*, 9. Carol Mohan* (2), 10. Angela Winstanley-Smith* (2), 11. Sarah Pimblett*, 12. Larissa Davies* (1), 13. Rosie Morris

KEEPING IN TOUCH

These news pages are for ALL National League clubs. So if you have an item of interest (new players, tours abroad, injuries or anything else that won’t have lawyers on our backs), please get in touch as soon as possible by emailing envelope.gif (852 bytes) chris.ducker@nwpl.co.uk

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