The Warwickshire Cup – 2008

 Warwick vs Solihull (A) 6 - 5 (WON) (4th March 2008) by Jonathan Fleet

Warwick Waterpolo returned to the water on Thursday evening to face Solihull in the penultimate game of the pre season Warwickshire cup competition. Solihull are the current holders of the cup and have beaten Warwick twice in the final, so always a fixture Warwick are keen to win. Warwick were confident that in their own pool they could hold their own against Solihull with a disciplined performance.

Kirk Holland won the first swim for the ball and set up the first attack. Solihull were strong in defense and it was halfway through he quarter before Kirk Holland scored the opening goal. Warwick forced and exclusion a minute later but failed to convert the advantage to a goal, and Solihull scored with a counter attack. Matt Wardle put Warwick ahead again but with 5 seconds to go in the quarter Warwick conceded a second to leave the game level at 2-2.

On the evidence of the first quarter it was going to be a hard fought game, and so it proved. A goal from Solihull on their first attack in the second quarter caught Warwick out, but Scott Haystead leveled the game again on the next Warwick attack. The game went from end to end for the rest of the quarter, and Warwick needed to survive an exclusion when Gareth Dowd was sent out right at the end of the quarter, but the game was left evenly poised 3-3 at half time.

Warwick knew that keeping up the level of play, and taking their chances would see them win the game, and a strong start to the 3rd quarter won Warwick a penalty, converted by Matt Wardle. Again Solihull replied after Duncan Holland was excluded for a major foul. Warwick had the last say however when Scott Haystead back handed a shot under the Solihull keepers arm from 2 meters out to give Warwick a goal advantage going in to the final quarter.

Warwick were controlling the game, and retaining possession well in the final quarter, but again conceded a major foul and Adrian Challinor was excluded. Solihull scored to level the match with 3 minutes to go. Both teams knew that the next goal was likely to be the winner, Warwick kept playing the same controlled game, and eventually created an opening and Gareth Dowd scored with 90 seconds to go. After the restart Gareth Dowd was excluded for the second time while defending but Solihull rushed the chance and Warwick regained possession. Coach Jonathan Fleet called a Time out with 50 seconds to go, Warwick were a goal up and had to control the ball to see the game out. Solihull regained possession with 30 seconds to go and called a Time out. Warwick defended well and denied Solihull a real shooting chance, and regained control of the ball with 5 seconds to go, and the game ended 6-5 to Warwick. A great team effort, and a great result that showed real spirit and maturity.