Event: B & W Water Polo Division 1
Venue: Cardiff International Pool
Date: 16th April 2010
Swindon Dolphin started their 2010 league campaign with a narrow one goal defeat playing away against a strong Welsh Wanderers second team.
Swindon travelled with a squad of nine players, weakened by the absence of Coach David Quinlivan who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury following a skiing accident. All players were expecting a tough game but were confident they could come away with a result.
The fixture was a close run affair throughout with Dolphin holding the lead for the majority of the game. The first period finished with Dolphin leading by two goals at four goals to two. The welsh team battled hard in the second period although Swindon were proving a tough team to break as they extended their lead to three at the mid point. Fitness and squad size started to pay a big part in the third quarter which Welsh won by two to bring the lead down to one goal. This theme continued in the final quarter as they drew level before winning the match with only 5 second left on the clock.
Goals were spread throughout the team as always. Contributions came from Matt James (3), Ian Brewer and Michal Trzeciak (2) and Andy Hicks, Chris Selby and Mark Lawlor (1).
Ian Brewer said afterwards “We started the match really well which was pleasing. We controlled the game for long periods and their only chances really came from counter attacks. I think it showed that this was our first game of the season as there were one or two sloppy mistakes – if we cut these out victories will come our way.”
Result: Welsh Wanderers II 11 – 10 Swindon Dolphin
Team: Andy Watts (1 major), Chris Selby (1 goal, 3 majors), Andy Hicks (1 goals), Tim Newcombe, Will Smith, Ian Brewer (2 goals, 1 major), Matt James (3 goals, 2 majors), Mark Lawlor (1 goal), Michal Trzeciak (2 goals, 1 major).
