12&U B&D Stretford 9 Warrington 6
Warrington played Stretford away on Saturday under slightly relaxed age rules due to a low number of eligible players on both sides. It was agreed that the 12&U teams could be supplemented with some age 13’s, with each team having only 1 age 13 in the water at any one time.
Joseph Weston won the first ball for Warrington leading to an early attempt on goal from Marcus Woods which hit the crossbar. Stretford drew first blood though, getting a shot passed Warrington Goalie Oliver Naughlty. Emily Ireland got an equaliser soon after, then Stretford grabbed another. Katy Bowater passed to Zack Kilpatrick who handed it back for Katy to score bringing it to 2-2, then Marcus put one away putting Warrington ahead. Stretford broke away and had a strong run on Warringtons goal but Alf Shelley closed the attacker down with some firm defensive play. Stretford had another crack but Oliver knocked it away then Marcus scored again taking the score to 2-4. Oliver deflected another Stretford shot but Stretford, attacking hard, got the next one through. Oliver saved another but then Stretford scored one more. Oliver got knocked another away then Stretford got the last goal of the period for 5-4 - Katy picked up an exclusion with just 3 seconds left to go.
Warrington swapped goalies in the second half with Zack Kilpatrick taking over from Oliver. A shot from Marcus was saved by Stretford’s Goalie, and the first goal of the period went to Stretford. Joe Daley battled bravely in a midfield position, Marcus was majored and Stretford claimed another goal taking it to 7-4, and another for 8-4. Louis Stowell was excluded for an illegal tackle, Stretford scored again but Zack saved the next shot from Stretford. Eleanor Brear provided good support to Joseph and Marcus who both had shots on goal to no avail then Marcus picked up two goals in rapid succession with less than a minute to go bringing the score to 9-6. In the final seconds Alf passed to Louis for a shot but it didn’t come off.
Team Marcus Woods (C), Eleanor Brear, Joe Daley, Louis Stowell, Zack Kilpatrick, Oliver Naughlty, Joseph Weston, Katy Bowater, Emily Ireland, Alf Shelly.
Coaches Sue Bowater and Emily Bowater