Under 16s, Chester vs Warrington M&D, 6th March 2017
Squad - Luke (C), Ben, Conor, Dom, Dan, Alfie, Eleanor, Emily A, Emily I & Louis.
Coaches - Tom & Craig
The first fixture of 2017 for the under-16s was an away trip to Chester. The Warrington players arrived early to support their under-14 club-mates and were raring to get in the pool.
1st Quarter - The visitors defend the deep end and Ben is first to the ball, he is first on the score sheet. Dom passes to Conor, who scores. Alfie joins the attack, but it’s Conor who scores with a nice lob-shot. Chester are awarded a penalty; Luke makes the save. The visitors attack again, this time Conor passes to Dan, who scores. Conor and Dan defend a Chester attack, the home side have a corner. Luke sends ball long to Dan, who hits the post. Now it’s Dom’s turn to score. The visitors defend, and Luke collects the ball. Long throw to Conor, who passes to Dom, he scores again. Now the hosts attack and Emily I defends forcing the Chester attack out of time - good play. The hosts are soon back in possession; Conor steals ball and swims up to score. Ben passes up to Dan, who has positioned himself in front of goal, but he passes to Conor swimming up the wing who puts the ball in the back of the net again. Warrington have to defend a man-up as Dan is sent out. Ben passes to Conor, who scores. The hosts are in possession when Conor intercepts, and passes to Dan, who scores. The visitors attack again, this time Dan passes to Dom, who scores. Ben on the attack, takes a shot, but the goalie scoops it up. Chester counter-attack but no goal and the ball is sent back up to Ben, this time he scores. The coaches make a substitution and Louis receives the ball from Conor just as the whistle goes. The quarter ends 0-12.
2nd Quarter - The game continues in the same vein, as Conor scores; followed by Ben who sends a cracking shot into the bottom corner of the opposition goal. Alfie takes a shot and hits the post. Some good passing, as Dom passes to Conor, then he passes to Dan who puts the ball away. In the next attack, Dan passes to Dom, who scores. Dan scores again. Chester are on the attack, but run out of time. The visitors counter-attack and it’s Ben to score. Ben sends a long pass to Conor, who scores. The coaches decide to make some changes and Louis is back in the water; he receives the ball from Ben and shoots, but no goal. Dom scores two in quick succession. Now Louis has the ball and swims up, but the Chester defence is keen and they have possession. The visitors defend, and Chester have a penalty. Once again Luke makes the save. Dan picks up the ball and passes to Conor - he is in a good position and scores. The quarter ends 0-22.
3rd Quarter - The coaches decide to make some changes. Conor wins the swim off and Louis receives the ball; the attack runs out of time. Warrington have to defend but are soon on the attack. Emily Atkinson, making her under-16 debut sets Conor up for a back-hand goal. The hosts attack again, but Warrington quickly counter-attack and are awarded a penalty. Louis steps up, but hits the post. Dom goes on to score. Emily A defends well and Dom goes on to pass to Alfie, who gets on the score sheet. Conor passes to Emily A, but the hosts intercept and are on the attack. Luke makes a save. Louis sends the ball to Dom, in the pit. Chester gain possession and go on the attack - they shoot but the ball is sent wide. Luke collects the ball sending it to Conor, who passes to Dom, who scores. Emily A defends the pit and Luke makes the save. Conor passes to Louis, but Chester defend well and soon counter-attack. The hosts score, and the quarter ends 1-26.
4th Quarter - Dan and Luke swap caps. Luke wins the swim off and Dom scores. Luke, enjoying the freedom passes to Dom, who scores again. What a partnership! Alfie keeps the pressure on the Chester attack, leading to a counter-attack from which Conor scores. Eleanor defends well, and Ben passes to Dom who scores. Luke scores. Warrington defend a Chester attack - the hosts set up, but no goal. Dan throws a long pass to Ben, who goes on to score. Chester attack, and Dan makes a save - phew! Luke steals the ball from a Chester player and swims up, in possession. Dom receives the ball and passes to Ben, who scores. Chester attack and Luke reaches for the ball, passes it to Dan who sends the ball to Ben. Ben scores from the long pass. The game is in the last minute and the hosts haven’t given up. Dan holds on to the ball, and throws long again. Louis receives the ball and sends it to Luke, who scores. Chester make the final attack of the match and Dan makes a save. The match ends 1-35.
(Reporter’s Note - the match was a goal-fest and I didn’t have a pen and paper so my apologies for any inaccuracies!)
Goals - Luke 2, Ben 7, Conor 9, Dom 12, Dan 4, Alfie 1
Majors - Ben 2, Conor 1, Dom 1, Dan 2, Alfie 1, Eleanor 1