BARRAS U18s SWEEP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES
COLENSO AND EDWARDS NAMED TOURNAMENT MVPs
(Dec 12, 09) The Barracudas Girls and Boys U18s concluded the 2009 water polo calendar in a memorable and remarkable way - earning double State Championship crowns today after both teams won their Grand Final in exciting fashion at the Valley Pool. The girls started the day off well for the club defeating the Sunshine Coast 9-7. The team was in contol all game and led by as much as 5 goals at one stage but a slow 3rd quarter allowed the opposition to narrow the gap. The girls maintained composure throughout and held on for the win, making up for last year's Grand Final loss to the same Sunny Coast side in penalty shoot out. For the girls the tournament was a clinical display of solid defense and great team work.
The boys Barras team faced a difficult challenge in the Grand Final matching up against top ranked Alstonville who had defeated the Barras boys 7-4 in the round games. The Barras went toe to the toe early in the game trading goals. A strong third and early 4th quarter saw the Barras pull ahead by 3 goals but with less than 3 minutes remaining in the match, a Barras player was ejected from the game for striking a player and Alstonville were awarded a penalty and the Barracudas had to play man down for 3 minutes (the remainder of the game). Alstonville converted the penalty and another quick goal shortly thereafter to come within one. The Barras defended their hearts out with one less man in the field. Amazingly despite the man down situation, Barras managed to convert in attack through sharp outside 5m shooting from lefthander Ben Edwards pulling the boys back out to a two goal lead with one minute remaining. Alstonville had the clear advantage and they returned the favour scoring once again to come within one of the lead with :47 seconds on the game clock. In the Barras final attack the man down side earned an ejection in centre forward making it an even man situation and Ben Hewitt converted to give the Barras a two goal margin once again and all but seal the win. Alstonville failed to convert their final 6 on 5 attack thanks to a desperate Barras man down defense and the boys staged a major upset through a very gutsy team performance; 8 - 6 the final score. Congrats to all the Barras teams including the young Cudas boys, a team made up of all U16 and U14 players who finished 7th but took the top teams to 1 or 2 goals in their round games.
To cap off the marvelous Barracudas team successes, individual players were recognised. Barracudas' Bronte Colenso and Ben Edwards took top honours being named tournament MVPs due to their outstanding performance in the Grand Finals and also throughout the tournament. Queensland U18 squads were announced with a huge number of Barracudas named in the squads (lists to be posted once finalised). Well done to all involved and thanks all the supporters that came to cheer on our teams. What a great way to end 2009!
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Barracudas U18 Girls State Championship Team celebrate after the 9-7 win over Sunshine Coast in the Grand Final at the Valley Pool. The Barras were undefeated throughout the tournament in 9 games. |
Barras U18 boys with gutsy defense against Alstonville in the Grand Final. Defense proving to be the key as the boys hang on for a win despite being in a man down situation for last three minutes of the game. |