UWE Water Polo
In a high performance and thrilling fast-paced match, UWE produced an outstanding performance to beat last year’s BUCS Premier South champions Cardiff University. Playing against a well-drilled team with lots of British Water Polo League experience amongst them and including British Students G/K Jack Simcox, goals were hard to come by and UWE put lots of attacking effort in the 1st quarter but only led 2-1. Good defensive work was clear to see in this low scoring game, but UWE continued to keep a fast paced game which would help them later, even though half time saw the score 4 – 4. UWE rotated the squad throughout the first half but Tom Whiting, Gorka P Sanz were offering the main scoring threat. Excellent defensive work by Cody Plumridge, Matt Potter and G/K Nick Bonthuys in a tough third quarter with lots of good quality play but few goals which really stretched the fitness of both teams. With Cardiff only having two subs, 3 quick goals by UWE got themselves an 8 – 6 lead with 6 minutes left on the clock.
Cardiff then did everything to score, got a goal back to make it 8 -7 and it was then a case of who wanted it more... A great block by Nick Bonthuys in goal and then the ninth goal by Tom Whiting sealed the win with 20 seconds left on the clock. The game was a fantastic advert for Student Water Polo with both teams playing at a high standard. The referee was exceptional and the Women’s team did an excellent job at officiating. The crowd seemed to enjoy it to both teams expressed good spirit throughout the game. UWE’s scorers: Whiting 4, P Sanz 3, Plumridge and Walker.
This performance was the best by a UWE team and if the team continue to play for each other, train well and stick with the tactical systems, they could go far. #TeamUWE