Marist Auckland Waterpolo

06.06.2006 Marist Senior Women defended their National title in a close fought final against Maranui beating the Wellington team 7 – 5. The Men A claimed the Bronze over Harbour City while the B – team missed out on the Plate loosing 8 – 9 to Hutt Heat.

After beating NorthSport and QE II convincingly in the round robin the Marist girls cruised through their semis against last year’s finalist Harbour City with two straight wins (7 - 2 and 9 - 4) to face Maranui in the final at Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre yesterday afternoon. Opening the scoring early Marist had a 4 – 2 lead at halftime. Maranui however never gave up and kept in close touch with the defending champions to tie the score in the third quarter. Marist’s Lauren Sieprath and Francesca Snell, however had the right response at hand securing the 8 – 6 win in the last quarter. Francesca Snell also got awarded the MVP of the women’s tournament.

The Men had a tough going in the semi finals loosing their first semi final to Maranui by 9 – 5 (exclusion count 3 – 13 against Marist). In the second game Marist failed to convert its many opportunities as Maranui gained a comprehensive 10 – 6 win to move to the final. Over night however, Marist managed to regain their strength clinching a 12 – 8 win over Harbour City to claim the Bronze.

The Marist B team – a mix of silver backs and very young players – left a very good impression beating three current National League teams in the round robin to progress into the Final of the Plate Division. The team lead by senior coaches Kurt Goldsworthy and Ben Simperingham came back from 2 – 7 and could have even turned the game around. Hutt however managed to secure a 8 – 9 win to deny the B’s the plate.  

click below to read more. 

Article NZWPA

All results (www.waterpolo.co.nz)

The girls will need to beat QE II today to make the semi finals. The men’s B team will face the team from Christchurch today and has a good chance to make the plate final.

After the loss against NorthSport last night the A-team will play Maranui in the semi final which is played as a best of three series. We will keep you posted. See below for the draw.

Both wins put Marist in the runners up position in both the Mens and Womens Preliminary round competitions with the men securing an automatic path to the semi finals round next weekend in a three way tie with Harbour City and Maranui. Read the whole article.

In one of their last matches of the Preliminary Round of the National Championship Marist will host the womens and mens team of Harbour City Hawks from Wellington this Sunday. Both matches can decide the semi finalists.

At least on paper the womens match appears like a clean affair. After 6 games Harbour City finds itself at the very bottom of the table on 0 points. The match in Wellington two weeks ago, suggested otherwise with Harbour City giving Marist a good run for their money, keeping the game tight till half time. Marist eventually secured a 9 – 5 win denying the Hawks – last year’s National Championship finalist - a bonus point.

In the mens competition both teams, together with NorthSport and Maranui are still contenders to qualify directly for the semi finals in two weeks time. Both teams need a win to avoid the Play off tournament. In recent years matches between the Hawks and Marist have always been close and hard fought encounters with Marist having the better end in last year’s National Championship Bronze play off.

Two weeks ago, however, Harbour City Hawks landed a 14 – 11 win over the visitors and are eager to repeat last years away win at Sacred Heart Aquatic Centre. Marist on the other hand has just beaten competition leaders NorthSport and Maranui and should have – with the support of the home crowd – a slight psychological advantage.

Photo: Will have different caps on this Sunday - Richard Claridge (Hawks) and Zane McAlpine (Marist) at the Commonwealth Championships in Perth 

After a tough going in Wellington last weekend the Marist Senior teams will travel over to the North Shore to face local rivals NorthSport in their home pool at the Millenium Institute, Mairangi Bay. On Sunday Marist will have home advantage against Maranui from Wellington.

In the womens competition NorthSport has won only one game so far but has produced close results against both competition leaders Maranui and QE II. For the young Marist team the first place of the Preliminary Round is still in reach providing wins in both of this weekend's games.

The Marist Men will face an unbeaten NorthSport team who lead the table comfortably and have defeated Marist 10-13 in the first round of the ‘Battle of the Bridge’. Although the chance of avoiding semi final play offs (top two teams after preliminary round) is only theoretical securing a third place in the league would improve Marists chances in the play off tournament for the remaining semi final berths. Click here for all results.

So both games are expected to be close and hard fought encounters as the local derby is always a season highlight for the representatives of the two biggest clubs in the country. A large and noisy crowd is expected at the MISH and all Marist members are encouraged to make the effort, get the passports out and travel across the bridge to support our teams.

               National Senior Club Championship - Preliminary Round

                              vs.   

                      Swim off Women: 7.10 pm

                      Swim off Men: 8.30 pm

The Sunday (Reminder, that's Registration Day!) will see both Marist Senior teams in action again when Maranui will front up at Sacred Heart Aquatic Centre. 

              National Senior Club Championship - Preliminary Round

                              vs.     

              Swim off Women: 12.15 pm

              Swim off Men: 1.15 pm

Poor conversion on man-up proved crucial on their Wellington road trip last weekend when the senior men managed only a draw out of three games. The girls did better securing a 9 – 5 win over Harbour City on Sunday morning and a narrow loss against Maranui.

After drawing against reigning National Champions Maranui on Saturday afternoon the Marist men head to travel further north to meet Hutt Heat in front of their home crowd. The young Hutt team proved to strong for a tired Marist that had to admit defeat after 32 minutes. Read more.

While the girls dominated Harbour city in their early morning encounter denying the Wellington team a bonus point the men again failed to convert their numerous 6 on 5 opportunities allowing Harbour City to put themselves back in contention for the direct semi final qualification. Read more.

Both Marist teams will face their local rivals from NorthSport on Friday night at the Millennium Institute, Mairangi Bay.  

A busy weekend lies ahead of both senior Marist teams as the head down to Wellington for 5 National Championship games this weekend. The girls, who head an 8 weeks break since the last game in Christchurch, will face Maranui on Saturday and Harbour City on Sunday. The men have an even harder program playing the same opponents as the girls but will have an additional encounter with Hutt Heat on Saturday night making it three games on two days.

Both Marist teams are still contenders for the two top table positions, which would secure the direct qualification for the Semi Finals on Queens Birthday Weekend. To return unbeaten from Wellington is basically a pre-requisite for both teams.

The men will miss Cameron Lowther, who is injured his shoulder. Glen Nicholson (photo centre) will have to sit out his one game suspension against Maranui from a Brutality Call in the recent NorthSport game. However, the team will see the comeback of lefthander Andy Sieprath, who has returned from a very successful Australian National League season, which saw his team West Magpies making the Play Offs.

This weekend’s Games:

In a turbulent match NorthSport had the lead throughout the game with Marist unable to turn the momentum. A brutality call against Marist in the third quarter eventually put an end to Marists chase, who at least managed to hold on to a bonus point.

Northsport had the better start going to an early 3-0 lead before Marist’s Kevin Schluter opened the scoring with a goal from Centre Forward. The match turned into an exciting affair mid way through the second quarter as Marist narrowed the margin to one goal to trail the Wizards 5-6 at the half time break.

The teams went goal for goal during the third quarter as the two teams were tied in a deadlock but events turned in NorthSport's favour at the end of the third quarter when Marist lost Glen Nicholsen (right photo, centre) on a brutality call. At that time the scores were 8-9. Zane McAlpine saved the penalty and Marist’s 5 on 6 defence proved hard to crack in the following 4 minutes. A back hand goal by Paul Swindells (photo below) on man down even gave hope that this game wasn’t lost yet. NorthSport however managed to extend the lead to 13-9 before the teams got even again with just 4 minutes to go. NorthSport eventually held on to the win but Marist’s desperate offence in the last minute got awarded with a bonus point. 

Jacques Venter who played his final game for Marist this season before going overseas topped the scoring charts with 4 goals whilst veteran Kevin Schluter netted 3.

With four SeniorNew Zealand Representatives in the line up NorthSport will take their strongest team across the bridge. The number 1 goalie John Love, however, is still unable to play due to a foot injury.

Marist will have Zane McAlpine back between the post giving the defence additional stability. Former Fremantle Mariner Glen Nicholson will have his debut for Marist. Cameron Lowther game is still in question due to injury while the rest of the team should be in best shape to defend the unbeaten run.  

Marist Magic made a blistering first half start to their game against the Hutt Heat in Auckland this afternoon to register their 4th straight win with a margin of 15-9 (6-1, 5-1, 2-2, 2-5).

Marist scored 6 unanswered goals in the first quarter before Hutt’s Eamon Lui put his team on the score-board just before the break. The second quarter was similiar with Marist netting 5 times early in the quarter and Hutt getting a goal late in the quarter to put Marist out to a handy 11-2 lead at half time. Marist press defence proved efficient setting up numerous counter attacks.

Marist seems to take the foot off the pedal in the second half with Hutt benefiting from defence mistakes and untidy passes on offence. Marists uninspiring performance in the final quarter allowed the guests to close the margin to 6 goals at the final whistle.  

The next Marist game will be on Saturday 25^th at Sacred Heart College against local rival and competition favourites NorthSport.

Result:
MARIST MAGIC 15 (O.Adam 3, J.Venter 2, P.Howat 2, M.Reid 2, C.Lowther 2,

S.Cleghorn 1, P.Swindells 1, )

HUTT HEAT 9 (E.Lui 3, S.Young 3, B.Pye 2, H.Mullany 1)

QE II is expected to put on a tougher challenge to the visitors. First the team will have recovered from a hard road trip to Auckland last weekend, which had the Marist encounter the third game within three days. More experienced senior players such as Kurt Wilson and Fraser Bickley, who weren't available last week, will possibly jump in the pool to strengthen their side..  

Marist Men scored their second convincing win this season, this time over visiting QE II from Christchurch.

MARIST MAGIC                      QE II CRUSHERS

18                -                7

Taking the lead early on Marist’s second win of the season never really looked in danger although poor execution in the first half frustrated coach Kurt Goldsworthy as several 100%ers hit the crossbar.

The home team, who missed Shaun Venter as well as Zane Mc Alpine and Michael Parr, put their act together in the 3^rd quarter racing to a 12 – 4 lead after 24 minutes. The final quarter went again to Marist who extended the lead to 18 – 7 at the final whistle. 

Former QE II player Cameron Lowther obviously enjoyed himself netting 5 goals against his former team mates.

Marist Magic

(C.Lowther 5, J.Venter 4, P.Swindells 2, M.Collins 2, K.Schluter 2, M.Reid 1, J.Ware 1, O.Adam 1)

QEII Crushers

The National Championship League will kick of for the Marist Women on Sunday when they going to take on the QE II Crushers from Christchurch at 12.15pm at Sacred Heart College. The men will follow at 1.30 facing the same opponents from the South Island. To fill the plane QE II brought up their two U14 teams who will play the curtain raisers from 10.00 am onwards.

QE II had a respectable start into this season beating NorthSport 13 – 6 in the Women’s league. The men lost the their respective counterparts from the North Shore by two goals but gave the National vice champion a good run for their money.

The men from Christchurch also managed a comfortable 16 - 10 win against Waitakere on Friday night with Hungarian Zoltan Boros and New Zealand Junior representative Isaac Box netting 5 goals each.  Read more about the game.

On the Marist side Elliot O'Brien will have another game between the posts with neither Zane MacAlpine nor Michael Parr having fully recovered from their injuries. With Shaun Venter not being available this weekend Daniel Heynen is most likely to fill the gap.

The Marist women's side will have their first outing under new coach Ben Simperingham. With five players currently playing in Hawaii the team will look much different from last year. Young talents such as Nicole Lewis (photo, centre) will play in key positions.

Following the games on Sunday Marist will host a BBQ so come along, support the Marist and enjoy a sausage afterwards.

Thanks to Russel McKinnon/Christine v. Raalte for the image.

Marist started in their season with a clean victory over competition newcomers Waitakere on Saturday afternoon at West Wave Aquatic Centre in Henderson. Taking the early lead the win never really seemed in danger leading 4 - 2 after the first quarter and 8 - 3 at half time.

WAITAKERE BLUE DEVILS                                                    MARIST MAGIC

10                                         17

Marist maintained their five goal lead throughout the third quarter. A large goal scoring spree in the final quarter put them out to an eight goal margin which was eventually cut back to seven goals at the end of the game.

Glendowie College student Elliott O'Brien had his first match for Marist Seniors filling in for injured Zane McAlpine and Michael Parr.  He played solid blocking several shots.

Shaun Venters intense season preparations paid back when he netted four goals from centre forward for Marist.  

Goalscorers Marist: (S Venter 4, C Lowther 2, J Venter 2, P Swindells 2, P Howat, S Cleghorn, M Collins, M Reid, O Adam, C Lane, J Ware)
Goalscorers Waitakere Blue Devils: (P Weeks 3, M Brooks 2, J Patchett2, J Cameron 2, P Jones)

Marist will host QE II next Sunday, a team expected to be a harder challenge. The men from the south gave the Northsport a good run for their money with a close 5 – 7 loss to the national vice champion.

Marist Women will enter the competition next week as well. They will face the QE II a strong QE II side who beat Northsport clearly 13 – 7 last weekend.

The Women’s swim off will be at 12.15 while the men will play at 1.30 pm.

Click here to see the current senior squads (men & women) and individual player profiles.

Marist’s senior players are slowly getting in shape for this year’s competitions. 2006 will see some changes, especially in the National Championships that are now merged with the National League. After a double round robin commencing from February till May the top two teams will automatically qualify for the National Championships Semi Finals while the teams ranking 3^rd till 6^th will play a play off. Those games will be played at the Final Championship tournament replacing the National Championship tournament, until now run as separate competition. For detailed information on the new shape of the Senior National Championship click here.

In 2005 both Marist teams, women and men, captured the National League title. While the women also managed to claim the National Championship, the men lost their semi final against NorthSport to come 3^rd in at the Christchurch held tournament.    

Marist Men will kick off first on February 18^th visiting National League newcomers Waitakere City at their home pool in Henderson. The girls join the action the following weekend hosting QEII at Sacred Heart as the men take on their Christchurch counterparts just after the girls match.

See the draw down below. More information will follow soon.