WARWICKSHIRE ASA WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS - 2008

 Warwick vs Coventry (W)11-10 (27th January 2008)

The Warwickshire cup is a pre season competition that WWP have participated in for a number of years. WWP have reached the final twice and been beaten both times by Solihull, who have held the cup since the start of the competition, maybe this year it is time for a change ! This year sees a number of changes in the WWP senior team, Jonathan Fleet has taken over from Rob Sheward as coach and our top scorer (and in many years the top scorer in the league) John Dyer is moving out of the area, so Matt Wardle takes over as Captain. In addition a number of our junior players are now playing in the senior mens team (Adam Streeter, Adam Clifford, Ben Phillips).

The first game of the Warwickshire cup was on Sunday against Coventry. Warwick lost the swim off for the ball, but defended the attack, and once Warwick had possession created the first chance of the game which was converted by Adam Streeter. After the restart Lee Jeys was excluded and Coventry equalized. Coventry scored again before Lee Jeys atoned for his earlier mistake with a goal. Matt Wardle scored to put Warwick ahead again before a series of defensive errors let Coventry score 3 unanswered goals. Warwick were caught out again early in the 2nd quarter and Coventry moved into an 3-8 lead before Matt Wardle pulled one back for Warwick. This was the start of the fight back and a second from Wardle between one from Scott Haystead and one from Adam Streeter left Warwick trailing by one at the half way stage.

Warwick now had a grip on the game, and knew that by keeping possession and forcing Coventry to concede exclusion and penalty fouls the game could be won. Two minutes into the 3rd quarter Coventry conceded their first penalty, converted by Wardle. Lack of finishing however meant that 5 direct shots by Warwick during rest of the quarter came to nothing, Coventry however scored twice, leaving Warwick 8-10 down going into the last quarter. Sticking to the same tactics Warwick put Coventry under pressure and forced 3 penalties in the last quarter all of which were converted by Wardle. With 40 seconds of the game to go Duncan Holland was excluded for a foul and Warwick had to defend well to maintain the lead, and they did, eventually winning the hard fought encounter 11-10.

The next home game is against Boldmere on Sunday 10th Feb, 5pm at the Warwick School pool.

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