Going out with a splash

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Photos: Oona Venermo

Dundee floated past York and into the BUCS water polo Shield Final, in an enthralling competition at the York Sport Village. Memories of Roses came flooding back as the hosts received some fantastic backing from an engrossed crowd, that witnessed Dundee, Manchester, Edinburgh and York compete in a round-robin contest, with the victor advancing to the final.

York got off to a superb start as they convincingly overcame Manchester by seven goals to nil, with goalkeeper Chris Snowden excelling between the sticks. The hosts also fended off a stiff Edinburgh challenge but were unable to find a way past Dundee, who won all three games on Sunday evening.

York, who finished as men’s 3B League Champions had a great thirst for victory in this epic mix of wrestling, lacrosse, swimming and basketball. And they started well when York’s Lim and Perkins exchanged perfect passes in a flowing move, with Lim’s long-distance shot nestling into the goal.

An excellent breakaway led by Molnar and Lim resulted in a gorgeously chipped effort dropping beautifully into the net, before Marshall powered another into the top corner of Manchester’s goal. York were deep-ending on Snowden’s vision from the back – it was key in the home side’s attacking threat (despite self-pride reaching new highs as he celebrated his pinpoint passes), while Manchester took their time in any forward movement.

Molnar missed two absolute sitters but looked very dangerous up front, and Cramer turned the goalkeeper to make it four. He grabbed another with a powerful shot, while Schinaia and Lim sealed the win. Manchester’s Zavela had a shot from halfway which troubled Snowden, but other than that it was a solid opening game from the men in black and gold speedos.

Other teams watched from the edge of the pool, before York then faced Dundee in what ultimately decided the contest. McGovern slotted in on the break, but York responded to their first goal conceded when Molnar won a penalty. Perkins made no mistake in powering the ball into the top right corner to bring York level. Woodall took a blow to the face before a lovely Clark goal from way out put the Scots back in front.

The crowd really got behind the hosts but goals from Woodall, McGovern and Robertson put the game beyond reach. By the time the third quarter was underway, York looked deflated and showed a noticable decrease in their energy levels.

The two sides began to drift apart as Clark scored before Woodall capitalised on a defensive error to make it 8-1. Ball nudged in a consolation to great cheers from the crowd, before goalkeeper O’Connor went for an audacious effort that came to nothing.

Dundee were crowned champions of the 3A water polo league this season, during which they scored 76 goals over just four games. And to concede just eight in the match, York defended admirably but lacked attacking threat which understandably led to their demise.

Dundee’s victory over York meant they just needed a draw with a Manchester side that York had comfortably despatched an hour earlier. Their semi-final success was sealed when they raced to a 9-1 lead in what was, in all honesty, a mismatch. Manchester had just two shots on target and lost 12-2, leaving York with a sinking feeling and the Manchester goalkeeper Evans as sick as the proverbial donkey; the only times he seemed to touch the ball was when he had to pick it out of his net. His side lost all three games, conceding 32 goals in the process.

Two stunning goals from Perkins in York’s final match contributed to a straightforward 9-3 win over Edinburgh; the latter a sublime twist and shot to complete a great afternoon for the driver.

One would understandably assume that being a water polo professional would pay well, but I hear they struggle to keep their heads above water. So it’s back to the degrees now for York after their cup and league campaigns are over, but they can hold their heads high and look forward in anticipation to May’s Roses tournament.