Bridgefield vs. Warrington 16 & U (M&D League Match)
Austin Rawlinson Pool, Speke, 20th July 2016
1st Quarter
The match starts with Warrington attacking the shallow end. Bridgefield quickly counter, but Dan intercepts and passes to Ben, who passes to Conor. Conor takes a shot and scores – a terrific start for the visitors, with some fantastic play! Dan scores from a free-throw, quickly followed by a Bridgefield counter-attack. Luke makes a great save. The home-side make another attack, Dom intercepts and swims all the way up the pool, Conor is with him, Dom passes and Conor scores from a back-hand shot. Bridgefield get a corner, the visitors defend well and Luke makes a save. Bridgefield attack again, this time they score. Back at the shallow-end, Dom scores. Warrington attack again and Conor shoots – no goal given, the visiting supporters are sure it went in! In the final attack of the quarter, Warrington get a man-up, but time runs out. The quarter finishes 1 – 4.
2nd Quarter
Warrington are immediately attacking and Ben scores in the first thirty seconds of the quarter. The visitors defend well and Luke makes a save. Bridgefield get a man-up, they set-up well and take a shot, and the ball creeps over the line - just. Emily swims up, calmly takes long-shot and scores a great goal in the bottom left – superb play! Luke makes a diving save in the shallow end, sends the ball up the pool and Brett scores. Bridgefield have possession, but Matt intercepts, gets the ball to Ben who makes a great pass to Emma on the wing, she shoots, but it’s saved. Warrington defend a man-up and the ball is soon up to the other end. Emily passes to Ben and he scores – fantastic team-work and a fantastic finish! Bridgefield call a time-out and Warrington defend the man-up. Quickly attacking again and Dom hits the post, Katie collects the ball from a Bridgefield pass, sends it to Emily, who scores. The quarter ends 2 – 9.
3rd Quarter
Warrington have a comfortable lead, but Bridgefield aren’t beaten yet, and score from a man-up. Dom scores with one of his trade-mark shots from long-range; he scores again. Katie really keeping the pressure on the opposition with some fantastic defending. Bridgefield make a long throw and it bounces off Brett’s head; quick-thinking from Warrington, and the visitors attack again, Katie shoots but it’s saved. Luke throws long to Brett, who passes to Ben, fantastic play. Warrington have a man-up, Matt shoots but it hits the post. Luke makes a terrific save. Katie scores, shortly followed by Emily, with a long shot – was it 15 metres? Another strong quarter, the score is 3 - 12.
4th Quarter
Coach Sue makes some changes going into the final quarter and its Conor to score. Next up Dom shoots, but it is saved. A quick one-two between Ben and Emily, and Ben scores. Dan passes to Conor, who scores. Bridgefield are on the attack, they shoot, but Luke makes the save. Katie scores from a Warrington man-up, and it’s the last minute of the game. Warrington keep the pressure on as Dom scores again. The match ends 3 – 18.
The young Bridgefield team showed commitment and determination, but were overwhelmed by the secure performance from a strong Warrington team. One Warrington spectator said it was “an exceptional team performance!”
Coach
Sue Bowater
Team
Luke Atkinson, Conor Lynch (4), Katie Bowater (2), Dan Farini (1), Brett Takemoto (1), Emma Horne, Ben Daley (3), Emily Bowater (3), Dominic Richard (4), Matt Williams