Bridgefield 8 Warrington 9

The senior team continued the Liverpool and District season when they visited Austin Rawlinson Pool in Speke to play Bridgefield. In our home match earlier in the season Bridgefield were 7-4 winners and will expect to finish 1^st or 2^nd in the league this year. The game started off well with goals from Ian Musgrove and Tom Hadley.  However Bridgefield came back into the game with two goals and just to keep the game interesting Warrington missed a penalty. Warrington’s goalkeeper Neil Musgrove played exceptionally well from the first quarter to the third when Peter Burke went in goal for the final quarter.  

In the second quarter we expected Bridgefield to hit us hard on the counter attack into the deep end. However Warrington took control of the game, carefully setting up the arc and goals coming from Bryn Edwards (2) and Tom Hadley (1). The opposition were not going to settle for second place with two goals. The quarter ended with a slender lead to Warrington 4-5.

The third quarter saw Warrington attack the deep, Bridgefield had two players excluded during the quarter but Warrington failed to execute the power play. However Tom Hadley scored two goals with Bridgefield starting to look a little tired could only reply with one goal giving Warrington a two goal lead (5-7). James Collins (15years) playing in one of his first senior matches was faultless in defence and supported every attack. The goals will be coming soon James!

The fourth quarter we had a change with Peter Burke going into goal and Neil Musgrove playing out. Within 23 seconds Bridgefield snatched a quick goal and at 6-7 were we about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. James Williams settled the nerves with a goal and we had our two goal cushion again. Surely victory was in sight. Four minutes into the quarter Neil Musgrove needed a blow, but Lee Chadwick was so keen to get in that he entered the water using the ‘bomb’ technique before Neil could get to the side. Lee in accordance with the rules was excluded for the rest of the game and a penalty was awarded to Bridgefield which they converted making the score 7-8.

At that point I had to enter the fray which was not part of the script for the evening.  Warrington conceded another exclusion which was defended before Bryn Edwards scored with 2 minutes to go, again a 2 goal difference. On 5’20 Tom Hadley was about to take the free throw before he could do this an opposition player knocked the ball from his arm and promptly went through to score. Players are not normally allowed to interfere with a free throw but we still had a one goal lead.  On 6’ 48 the referee excluded another Warrington player again the team rallied to defend the power play. Eventually the final whistle and the final score 8-9 to Warrington.

Although the team was full of young players, Bridgefield were heard to comment later on the excellent juniors coming through at Warrington. However man of the match went to Neil Musgrove for his display in goals in the first three quarters.

Scorers Tom Hadley 4, Bryn Edwards 3, Ian Musgrove 1, James Williams 1.

Warrington 4 Bridgefield 7

On Wednesday 11th July Bridgefield who are hot favourites to win the L&D league this season visited Sankey Forum, in a match not for the faint hearted. Warrington without Bryn Edwards, Geoff Dover and Tom Hadley (away in Hungray), were bolstered by new arrivals Martin Bosson and Addison Brown. The first quarter saw Warrington defend the deep end and started well with Adam Marsland scoring first. Warrington held the lead for only 30 seconds before Bridgefield equalised. Warrington with a new mix of players were taking time to start playing as a team and Bridgefield exploited this and some light weight marking with three quick goals. It was also clear the referee was prepared to let a lot go and only gave two majors throughout the match both given against the youngest player in the pool James Williams.

The second quarter was really tight with Addison Brown scoring his first goal for Warrington and Bridgefield once again equalising. Warrington tested the Bridgefield goalkeeper repeatedly but with little to show for it. The quarter ended 2-5.

The third quarter was crucial the difficult job of defending the deep and attacking the shallow end which usually results in defeat for most teams. Ian Musgrove set the quarter up with an excellent goal bringing the score to 3-5. Warrington continued to hold the line with some great goal keeping from Peter Burke and determined defence from the rest of the team. Warrington could be proud of one of the best quarters of the season.

Bridgefield were on the back foot as Warrington attacked the deep only two goals down. Almost two minutes passed without score before a big kick against a Warrington player (missed by the referee) saw a Bridgefield player break free and score against the run of play. It really looked like we had a mountain to climb. A disputed penalty saw Bridgefield take a 3-7 lead but Warrington didn’t give up and Martin Bosson eventually getting some reward for his hard work in the pit skilfully making some room to score from 3 metres out.

In summary with the exception of the first quarter when Warrington needed to settle in the new players against an organised Bridgefield the last three quarters were 3-3. Although disappointing to lose the match Warrington made Bridgefield work hard for their victory with a full team I would expect a closer match in future. Scorers were Adam Marsland 1, Addison Brown 1, Ian Musgrove 1, Martin Bosson 1. The team also included Peter Burke, Neil Musgrove, James Williams, Lee Chadwick. Phil Smith, and Tom Cart.

The season continues in September.

Chris Byrne Water Polo Head Coach

Bridgefield Blues 16 - Warrington 9

The senior team played their second game of the season against last years runner up in the Liverpool & District League, Bridgefield Blues who are the best team of the two Bridgefield teams and currently play in Divisdion 3 of the National League. We had many players away on holiday but had a strong first 7 with two young substitutes Rory Gregson (16) and Josh Regan (15).

Warrington started well with three excellent goals including a Tom Hadley back hander from the pit position which left the keeper with no chance the execution being world class. Bridgefield got two goals back but Warrington were certainly the better team in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw some sloppy passing by Warrington and an organised well drilled Bridgefield took advantage and their strength in depth started to tell. At the end of the second quarter Warrington trailed 7-5.

The third quarter saw Warrington go further behind despite Neil Musgrove saving a penalty at the end of the quarter Warrington trailed 12-6. In the final quarter Warrington rallied with two goals from Andy McGinty and a third goal from James Williams but ended loosing the match 16-9.

In the after match debrief it was agreed that the lack of depth in our team and a lack of match fitness compared to Bridgefield who had just arrived back from a training camp were the big difference between the teams. Scorers were James Williams 3, Andy McGinty 3, Bryn Edwards 1, Tom Hadley 1, Tom Cart 1.