Stingers sting China in World Champs

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers rebounded well from its loss to the USA to deliver an emphatic win in the final match in the preliminary stages at the World Aquatics World Championships, taking a 11-7 victory over China.

The Aussies looked strong and composed from the outset, with Tilly Kearns opening up the scoring for her side.

Heading into the first break leading 4-1, courtesy of goals from New South Wales Institute of Sport scholarship holder and captain Zoe Arancini and Abby Andrews, as well as a Bronte Halligan (NSWIS) penalty goal, the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers set themselves up well.

While China managed to out score the Aussies three goals to two in the second period, the Aussies held a 6-4 lead at half time.

Coming out of the break the Aussies once again took an ironclad grip on the game, owning possession and proving strong in their defence to set up a 9-5 lead heading into the final quarter.

In a do or die match for China, who needed the win in order to progress in the World Championships, they came out strong in the final quarter and were determined to go down fighting.

But it was too little too late with the both teams notching up two goals a piece to see the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers finish out the game 11-7.

The win will see the Aussies finish second in the preliminary stages and advance through to the cross overs, with their opponents unknown just yet.

Tokyo Olympian Bronte Halligan (pictured above) described the victory as a good team effort.

“It was a really fun game to play against China today,” said Halligan. “We had a lot of team goals and really good defence so just really happy to get that win,” she said.

“We got the win and that’s the most important thing, which means we finish second in our group. We look forward to finishing it off in the cross overs and the quarter finals.”

The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers will now wait to see who they play off in the cross overs on Saturday 222 July (Time TBC). You can watch live via 9Now.

AUSTRALIA: 1. PALM, Gabi; 2. SWADLING, Ruby; 3. ARMIT, Elle; 4. HALLIGAN, Bronte (2); 5. LEESON-SMITH, Bridget; 6. ANDREWS, Abby (1); 7. ANDREWS, Charlize; 8. RIDGE, Amy (2); 9. ARANCINI, Zoe (2); 10. WILLIAMS, Alice (2); 11. KEARNS, Tilly (2); 12. PONTRE, Sofie; 13. LONGMAN, Genevieve

Story courtesy of Water Polo Australia