GB Women suffer narrow water polo defeats in 2012 World League campaign
The British Gas GBR Water Polo team got off to a frustrating start at their World League Preliminary competition after losing 9-8 to Russia in Volos.
After a solid performance in the first three quarters the Brits led their Olympic rivals with just two minutes left on the clock. The Russians, who finished fourth in the European Championships earlier this year, fought back to get the equaliser and the final goal which ultimately gave them the win.
But the result is promising for the Brits who will face the Russians again in July in the group stages of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Captain Fran Leighton said "We're really pleased with tonight's performance but we're obviously disappointed with the defeat after leading in the last quarter. We have improved on London and converted more 'man up' opportunities tonight which is promising and now we're looking forward to playing the rest of the games."
The Brits, who have just returned from a promising Visa International at the London Water Polo Arena, had no time to rest on their laurels and were back in the pool on 11 May 11 with matches against World Champions Greece and reigning Olympic champions, the Netherlands who were both be looking for victory after failing to qualify for the 2012 Games.
The British Gas as they slipped to narrow defeats against Greece and the Netherlands.
Having lost out by a single goal in their opening match, the Brits entered their two games on Friday in high spirits against hosts and reigning world champions (Greece) as well as reigining Olympic champions (the Netherlands).
It was another good team effort. But despite two more encouraging performances, the Brits ultimately fell short by a single goal, losing 8-7 in both matches.
After Greece pulled away to 3-0 lead, the British women stormed back into the game, winning the second and third quarters to tie the game 6-6 after three quarters.
And while the Greeks prevailed in the final quarter, British captain Fran Leighton admitted the team were looking forward to taking on their hosts in their second match.
"It was another good team effort," said Leighton. "We played well and our strong third quarter put us back in to the match. We're looking forward to playing them again in the next leg."
Chloe Wilcox and Ciara Gibson-Byrne both scored doubles while Fiona McCann, Frankie Snell and Fran Clayton scored the British goals.
With little time to recover, the Brits took on the Netherlands in their second match of the day. Again the British fell behind early on, losing the first two quarters 2-0 and 2-1 but a third quarter fightback, winning it 5-3, put them one goal behind ahead of the final quarter.
The Dutch managed to hold on with a 1-1 draw in the final quarter but there were more positives to take for the British.
"After a disappointing start to the match we fought back well, scored some good goals and stayed solid in defence," said goalkeeper Rosie Morris. "Unfortunately it wasn't good enough to be the current Olympic champions."
Chloe Wilcox scored another double, as did Fran Leighton, while Ciara Gibson-Byrne, Claire Nixon and Fran Clayton scored the other goals for GB.
After a solid performance in the first three quarters the Brits led their Olympic rivals with just two minutes left on the clock. The Russians, who finished fourth in the European Championships earlier this year, fought back to get the equaliser and the final goal which ultimately gave them the win.
But the result is promising for the Brits who will face the Russians again in July in the group stages of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Captain Fran Leighton said "We're really pleased with tonight's performance but we're obviously disappointed with the defeat after leading in the last quarter. We have improved on London and converted more 'man up' opportunities tonight which is promising and now we're looking forward to playing the rest of the games."
The Brits, who have just returned from a promising Visa International at the London Water Polo Arena, had no time to rest on their laurels and were back in the pool on 11 May 11 with matches against World Champions Greece and reigning Olympic champions, the Netherlands who were both be looking for victory after failing to qualify for the 2012 Games.
The British Gas as they slipped to narrow defeats against Greece and the Netherlands.
Having lost out by a single goal in their opening match, the Brits entered their two games on Friday in high spirits against hosts and reigning world champions (Greece) as well as reigining Olympic champions (the Netherlands).
It was another good team effort. But despite two more encouraging performances, the Brits ultimately fell short by a single goal, losing 8-7 in both matches.
After Greece pulled away to 3-0 lead, the British women stormed back into the game, winning the second and third quarters to tie the game 6-6 after three quarters.
And while the Greeks prevailed in the final quarter, British captain Fran Leighton admitted the team were looking forward to taking on their hosts in their second match.
"It was another good team effort," said Leighton. "We played well and our strong third quarter put us back in to the match. We're looking forward to playing them again in the next leg."
Chloe Wilcox and Ciara Gibson-Byrne both scored doubles while Fiona McCann, Frankie Snell and Fran Clayton scored the British goals.
With little time to recover, the Brits took on the Netherlands in their second match of the day. Again the British fell behind early on, losing the first two quarters 2-0 and 2-1 but a third quarter fightback, winning it 5-3, put them one goal behind ahead of the final quarter.
The Dutch managed to hold on with a 1-1 draw in the final quarter but there were more positives to take for the British.
"After a disappointing start to the match we fought back well, scored some good goals and stayed solid in defence," said goalkeeper Rosie Morris. "Unfortunately it wasn't good enough to be the current Olympic champions."
Chloe Wilcox scored another double, as did Fran Leighton, while Ciara Gibson-Byrne, Claire Nixon and Fran Clayton scored the other goals for GB.
BRITISH GAS GBR WOMEN'S WATER POLO TEAM AT WORLD LEAGUE QUALIFIERS 2012
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Rosie Morris (GK)
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Robyn Nicholls (GK)
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Alex Rutlidge
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Hazel Musgrove
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Angie Winstanley - Smith
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Fran Leighton
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Lisa Gibson
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Ciara Gibson-Byrne
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Becky Kershaw
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Fiona McCann
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Francesca Painter-Snell
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Chloe Wilcox
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Rachel Drabble
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Claire Nixon
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Fran Clayton
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Vicky Bowen
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| Published 17:54:00 14.05.2012 |