Win so nice we HAD to do it twice

The biggest boys (minus finn) assembled for the second week in a row to face down the Prem rejects, KCL. Warm ups were well underway and hissy fits already thrown by the KCL captain, unhappy about the shallow end (not sure what he expected he was here last week), when Finn rocked up on poolside. The game began slowly, KCL playing to run down the clock with their one pass and shoot policy and dropping low in defence, the boys could not find a way through. The deadlock was eventually broken, just like last week, with a penalty, this time given away by Mr Nelson and tucked away by Kings to make it 1-0. His fellow lefty Andy took it upon himself to avenge his partner and scored seconds later and a trademark backshot from Finn finished the quarter 2-1 to the staaaaaaags.

The second quarter began largely as the last one ended, Finn scored, we gave away a penalty, and after some slightly questionable interpretations of the no standing in the shallow end rule (I think Jack was staring down his knob) KCL levelled the scores at 3-3. Maybe Jack was distracted ……. Goals from Finn and Youssef respectively in pit A either side of a torrent of KCL kick outs (silly buggers) heralded a halftime score of 5-3. Another cagey 4 minutes where nothing happened started the third quarter before Luke decided enough was enough and showed his pace down the wing and slotted in to make it 6-3. The boys were running away with it, and then, in true stags fashion, it went a bit pear shaped, 2 quick goals to finish the quarter (one a buzzer beater from the opponents keeper led to a score of 6-5 going into the final quarter. Noone can ever claim we don’t put on a good show.

The final quarter started with Andy marauding through KCL defences, he shoots….saved…..he shoots again….. saved…..but wait third times the cha….oh no saved again. Tensions were eased slightly as, having finally been given the foul for getting repeatedly elbowed in the face as the oppo pit D attempted to hold the ball for 20 seconds, Finn showcased his acting skills and sank to get KCL’s captain wrapped and leave us a man up for the remainder of the game. A brief tactile time out and far too much swimming for my liking later, John and Finn netted to bring the final score to 8-5. A slightly more comfortable win this time around. It remains to be seen if the BUCS gods take pity on them and spare them the effort of travelling to lose again.

Written by: Finn Thomas

MVP: Luke Bennalick, always the unsung hero in a game of water polo that really wasn’t in any way shape or form Luke’s class shone through, providing multiple assists, flawless defence and a third quarter goal to top it all off.

Dick of the day: Andy for his 0/3 rebounds.

Goals/majors:

Sam Ellis: 0/0

Sam Cross: 0/0

Elliot Oldham: 0/0

Finn Thomas: 4/0

Michael Scott: 0/0

Andy Hibbetts: 1/1

Ed Wilkes: 0/0

Jack James: 0/1

Fernando Alvarez: 0/1

Oli James: 0/0