SWIMMING: After a lacklustre performance against Harlow in their previous fixture, Ipswich's water polo squad welcomed Southend for a home Winter League clash with some trepidation.
By Debbie Watson
SWIMMING
AFTER a lacklustre performance against Harlow in their previous fixture, Ipswich's water polo squad welcomed Southend for a home Winter League clash with some trepidation.
Southend always field a strong team, so the hosts took some relief when the visitors brought the minimum squad of seven players and no substitutes.
The rules of water polo state that any player collecting a third major foul is automatically excluded for the rest of the match, so this meant Southend had to play a conservative game and avoid the handicap of being a man down.
Ipswich played a steady game with the whole squad working well in both attack and defence.
Highlights included Guy Smith scoring a goal in each quarter and twins Nick and Phil Trett celebrating their recent birthdays with a goal apiece.
Goalkeeper Chris Stephens redeemed himself after his dismal performance against Harlow, making a couple of excellent saves from Southend's hard-shooting centre forward.
Both sides attacked and counter-attacked vigorously throughout the match, but neither side could pull ahead and the game was in the balance right up to the final whistle.
In the end the match-winning goal never came – the final scoreline was an 8-8 draw and a fair result.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here