Sharks sink Japan

The Aussie Sharks recorded an impressive victory over Japan in the FINA Men’s World League Intercontinental Tournament in Gold Coast last night, with eight NSWIS athletes in the squad.

The Sharks led throughout the match, but were pegged back by pre-tournament favourites Japan in the final quarter. This sent the match into a tense penalty shoot-out, but the Sharks held their nerve to triumph 13-11.

The eight NSWIS athletes in the team included Joe Kayes, who scored five times, and Jarrod Gilchrist, who chipped in with three goals.

NSWIS athlete Nathan Power recently returned from a season in Europe and added valuable experience to the team. He told Waterpolo Australia: “For three quarters we played a really good style, we played how we wanted to play and slowed the game down.”

“We did lose control and they had a very good quarter and last few minutes. But that’s the experience this team needs. We are a new group together so to get experience like that (under pressure) it’s going to be good for us moving forward, for goals we have for the World League Final and World Championships later this year.”

The Japan victory followed the Sharks impressive 18-3 dismantling of New Zealand in the tournament opener a few days ago.

Further NSWIS athletes in the squad were John Cotterill, Rhys Holden, Lachlan Hollis, Nicholas Brooks and Anthony Hrysanthos.

NSWIS athletes also feature in the squad for the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team to contest the upcoming FINA World League Intercontinental Tournament in USA from 2-7 May. The NSWIS Aussie Stingers will be Isobel Bishop, Hannah Buckling, Keesja Gofers and Amy Ridge.