In a fierce city versus country clash, the boys from regional Australia prevailed as victors of a nation-wide tournament held at Oasis on Sunday.
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With second remaining on the clock in the grand final of the under 12’s national water polo festival, Ovens and Murray and Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers were locked at 7-7.
Ovens and Murray star Joshua Gould slammed the ball into the back of the net, the buzzer sounded and the crowd erupted.
The deal-clincher was his fourth goal of the day.
Ovens and Murray dominated the first quarter, applying heavy defensive pressure on the Breakers.
The first two goals of the game – scored by Elih Mutsch – scared the Breakers into action and they were sitting pretty, one goal up at the start of the fourth quarter.
Breakers’ Connor Maggs wowed spectators, throwing the ball over his opponent’s head, swimming past him and scoring.
Harry Underhill was also tough to mark, and a threat to Oven and Murray keeper Deacon Hogan.
Hogan remained composed, and saved a couple of crackers in the last half, keeping them in the game.
Coach Shannon Gould was beaming with pride.
“They were amazing, it’s the first real tournament for all of the boys,” he said.
“It’s Albury, it’s Ovens and Murray, to beat the metro teams in a national tournament, I think we’ve won an under 14’s girls tournament seven years ago, it’s the second time it’s ever been done from a country team, and it’s an amazing feeling.”
The atmosphere of the event and result was rewarding for the winning squad who trained together three times a week in the lead up.
“The crowd participation was fantastic, to have everyone here cheering all these young kids on to excel in what they do, it’s a good thing,” he said.
In the girls’ grand final on Sunday, Brisbane-based Mermaids were merciless against Drummoyne Red Devils, winning 14-0.
Two-time Olympian Aidan Roach, 26, refereed the boys’ game and spent the weekend by the pool in Wagga.
He has watched the sport evolve – there were no national tournaments for under 12’s when he was a junior.
He was amazed by the standard of competition and the passion displayed in the final.
“The kids’ skills are great,” he said.
“The town’s great, they really get behind water polo.”
Girls and boys playing for Wagga Bidgeegators enjoyed their first national event.
Wagga’s mayor Greg Conkey, a former water polo player, sponsored and opened the event.
