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WATER POLO SECTION
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News from 2006/07 2005/06 2004/05
Portobello qualify for 2007 British Championship Finals - Even during the turmoil enveloping the senior water polo team as a result of the ASA year ban, Portobello have progressed to the finals of the GB Championships. An excellent weekend's water polo saw Portobello come a close second to Cheltenham in the qualifying section of the championships, and as a result will see Portobello face defending champions Lancaster in the semi final encounter next weekend 24th February.
Portobello 16 v 17 Cheltehenham
(5-3, 3-6, 4-3, 4-5)
Portobello Goals
Fraser Rutherford 5, Bruce Elder 5, Keith Anderson 2, Neilson Rutherford 2, Mark Bayliss 1, Alan Anderson 1
Portobello 14 v 10 Polytechnic
(3-1, 3-1, 6-4, 2-4)
Portobello Goals
Bruce Elder 7, Fraser Rutherford 2, Mark Bayliss 2, Gary Ward 1, James Scobie 1, Alan Anderson 1
Portobello 13 v 10 Manchester
(4-4, 3-2, 4-1, 2-3)
Portobello Goals
Fraser Rutherford 3, Neilson Rutherford 2, James Scobie 2, Alan Anderson 2, Bruce Elder 1, Mark Bayliss 1, Gary Ward 1
Final Placings
1st Cheltenham 6pts
2nd Portobello 4 pts
3rd Manchester 2 pts
4th Polytechnic 0pts
Weekend 1 Weekend 2 Weekend 3 Weekend 4
Porty Update - 30/10/2005 - National League Division 2 – Weekend 4 – Grantham
Team: David Fleming (GK), Keith Anderson (Capt.), Neilson Rutherford, Fraser Rutherford, Bruce Elder, Gary Ward, Ben Johnston, Peter Lamb, Dave Kipling, Barry Davidson, Alan Anderson.
Saturday
Solihull 9 v Porty 19
With only 9 players available for this first game Porty had to get off to a good start to avoid getting drawn into a scrappy encounter. Thankfully a professional first quarter ensured we had a comfortable cushion to build on for the rest of the game. With the score at 8-4 at half time, the sleeping giant, BIG FrAZ, finally woke up to bag 5 goals in the second half of the game. Other than Kipper having an unnecessary 20 seconds and picking up 3 majors, there was little else to report.
Scoreline by period: 2 – 5 / 2 – 3 / 2 – 4 / 3 - 7 Man-up conversion 5-7 71%
A more subdued evening saw pork pie suppers all round in Melton Mobury; and a hotel that reminded the older members of the team of ‘The Sands’ hotel. The cavalry, in the shape of Barry and Alan, arrived to find everyone tucked up in bed to make best use of the extra hour in the morning.
Sunday
Porty 11 v Welsh Wanderers 9
A well prepared Portobello team started excellently to play powerful, controlled polo; winning men-up and running the clock down before choosing the right shots, rightly leading 3-0 half way through the first period the game could have been killed off but for 3 individual 1-0 being missed. Wanderers rallied in the second period and some poor defending and neuter attacking by Portobello allowed them back into the game, An inspired change of tactics in the third saw Portobello re-exert control through the successful execution of 3 man-up opportunities. The forth period saw the teams trade goals and some dubious decisions to even the match up. No worries, a good performance.
Scoreline by period: 3 – 1 / 1 – 2 / 4 – 2 / 3 - 4 Man-up conversion 5-9 55%
Leeds 9 v Portobello 21
A scrappy game which began slowly for Portobello, going 5 minutes before scoring our first goal. Although playing well as a team, individual mistakes were undermining the overall effort. The final three periods saw a more consistent approach with Portobello netting 6 goals in each of the periods. Some unusual referring decisions caused some frustration, but were never going to alter the final outcome. Four goals for Fraser, Keith and Barry and a couple from Gags in the final period were main scorers.
Scoreline by period: 1 – 3 / 2 – 6 / 4 – 6 / 2 – 6 Man-up conversion 2-5 40%
This weekend saw a professional display by Portobello with some good team performance in all areas of the game. Man-up was controlled, there was some variety in attack and defensively we worked for each other. The Boy David played well, with good saves and distribution, obviously building on the games played over the last couple of weekends.
Porty Update - 21/10/2005 National League Division 2 – Weekend 3 - Millfield
Team: David Fleming (GK), Keith Anderson (Capt.), Neilson Rutherford, Fraser Rutherford, Bruce Elder, James Scobie, Gary Ward, Ben Johnston, Daryll Johnston.
Saturday
Invicta 6 v Porty 21
A well executed logistical operation resulted in Porty being clearly organised and ready for action against mid-table Invicta. Coach Keith highlighted the centre as the danger man in the opposition and called for a full press with the centre being front marked. This tactic was carried out with precision and our attack was built round the solid and tight defence. A display of nice driving down the right and cross pass goals even had the opposition appreciating our work. In the end we were just too strong for Invicta and a barrage of goals in the 3rd and 4th periods were just reward for a good team performance. Fraz top scored with 7, Bruce got 6, and Coach Keith 5.
Scoreline by period: 2 – 4 / 1 – 4 / 2 – 6 / 1 - 7 Man-up conversion 2-4 50%
Sunday
Porty 9 v Hucknall 10
The NWPL website tells a story of a 16 year old boy taming the mighty Portobello and ending a winning run of 23 matches since joining the National League. The game is not really worth talking about. Fraz played well and bagged 7 goals, including a wonder back hook. The other early nighters tried hard but it’s a tough game when only 5 or 6 players in a team of 9 are fit enough to play 30m water polo.
Scoreline by period: 1 – 3 / 1 – 4 / 5 – 3 / 2 - 0 Man-up conversion 3-10 30%
Newton Abbot 9 v Portobello 26
Newton Abbot were probably hoping we had gone back to the pub for brunch and a few pints after our game against Mick Hucknall……instead they got a team that had licked their wounds and come back repair the damage!
Any team should be able to identify Newton Abbot’s trump card. The leagues top scorer, A Margetts, has an arm to match our own B Davidson and if you can stop him scoring goals you stop Newton Abbots attack. Much the same as our first game against Invicta, a sound defence and ability to steal the loose ball shaped our attack. Ben got us off the mark and Scoobie had a stand out scoring a couple of early goals, scampering in defence and picking off the loose ball. This was a much better team performance with counter goals, centre forward goals and some nice man up goals.
· 6 of 7 outfield players were on the score sheet (no names, but certainly no prizes for guessing who missed out!!)
· A Margetts was limited to 3 goals, 2 of which were man up pickings.
· Boy D made one of the most impressive penalty saves you will ever see, although it is common knowledge that Ramon Valvona is the better Portobello goal keeper.
Scoreline by period: 3 – 8 / 1 – 6 / 1 – 5 / 4 – 7 Man-up conversion 8-10 80%
Porty Update - National League Division 2 – Weekend 2 - Birkenhead
Team: David Fleming (GK), Keith Anderson (Capt.), Neilson Rutherford, Daryl Johnston, Alan Anderson, Bruce Elder, James Scobie (TJ), Dave Kipling, Fraser Rutherford, Ross Johnston
Saturday
Porty 22 – Grantham 5
Nine up at half time and sixteen – one to the good at the end of the third period tells half the story. Neilson had his days scoring 4 goals, as was called out as a threat by the opposition; Fraser bagged 5 in his first game this season, Keith also bagged five to keep thing level on the Powderhall Rent Challenge, Bruce topped the charts with a magic seven, oh and TJ got on the scoresheet with one – but was kind of offset by his three majors. Other noteable events included Dazzas two steals, this week from the opposition. Although the score gives the impression of a weak opponent, Porty play well as a team and kept good concentration for the first three periods to comprehensively dismantle Grantham
Scoreline by period: 4 – 0 / 5 – 0 / 7 – 1 / 6 - 4 Man-up conversion 3-5 60%
Sunday
Porty 10– Reading 9
Woeful. The same story comes back, drinking heavily does not make for peak performance in the morning.
A scrappy game with Reading rising to the occasion and putting Porty under pressure in attack and shooting well themselves. Keith worked hard to secure men out, however, the abysmal conversion rate was the difference between a comfortable victory and this one that was scrapped out. Four goals for Alan, three for Bruce were the main contributors; although Alan and Fraser never finished the game for three exclusions.
Neilson won’t be taking any penalties, although he could be called into the cricket bowling attack for his outswinger.
Score line by period: 3 – 3 / 2 – 1 / 3 – 3 / 2 – 3 Man-up conversion 4-11 36%
Porty 22 – Sutton & Cheam 8
A far cry from when these two giants of GB water polo used to meet in Deep Waters and ASA Cup, Sutton are a shadow of the club of the 80’s and 90’s and this in effect was Porty easiest game in division 2 to date. A good first two period saw Porty race to a 10-2 lead, with some strong attacking play from Keith and Bruce. The kids did well, with James netting three goals, Dazza one and Ross playing a good supporting role. David had a good weekend between the sticks saving some strong outside shots.
Fraser asked us to watch how it was done, but he won’t be taking any penalties either.
Score by period: 6 – 1 / 4 – 1 / 4 – 2 / 7 – 4 Man-up conversion 4-6 67%
A workmanlike weekend saw Portobello’s quest for the second division title stay on track, although there were a few close moments against Reading.
The next National League weekend was on 15th / 16th October in Millfield. Porty will play Invicta, Hucknall and Newton Abbot.
See the National League Web site for full information on the weekend.
Porty Update - National League Division 2 – Weekend 1 - Millfield
Team: Ramon Valvona (GK), Gary Ward, Keith Anderson (Capt.), Neilson Rutherford, Allan Fraser, Daryl Johnston, Alan Anderson, Barry Davidson, Ben Johnston (TJ), Bruce Elder
Saturday
Porty 16 – Solihull 10
An excellent start saw Porty race to a 4-0 lead by the end of the first period. The second followed to same form with the score moving onto 8-0, and it was not until the introduction of Daryl and Alan A that the match started the change. Dazzas’ steal from his own player followed by the loss of possession then dismissal allow Solihull to get on the score sheet. The wheels fell of at the beginning of the third period with Portobello neglecting to do any defending, and allowing Solihull to score 5 goals (the lob was a common shot), although the match was never in doubt with Keith ‘Billy idle’ Anderson and Barry netting two apiece in the third. The final period started poorly with Neilson missing an easy chance for 1 yard due to lying on his back, a poor pass and using his left hand. Another four in the final period saw a comfortable victory chalked up. Oh, and Bruce won’t be taking any penalties.
Scoreline by period: 4 – 0 / 4 – 2 / 4 – 5 / 4 -3 Man-up conversion 4-8 50%
Sunday
Porty 11– Welsh Wanderers 8
This was forecast to be the toughest game in the division for Portobello. WW finished second in Division 2 last year and only lost out in the final quarter of the play off match last year to Poly. However, the overall score flatters to deceive with Porty always in control. The experience of playing the previous evening with the new rules for the first time, in particular the 30 second possession, resulted in a change of approach. This resulted in a steady performance building on the previous evening with more control demonstrated in both attack and defence. Barry started strongly with a couple of goals but the introduction of the near post lob on the man up situation negated any plaudits for his performance. Keith worked hard in the pit and the team responded with good supply of the ball which resulted in numerous man up situations which were worked well and converted. The solid defence was the springboard for the attack with the goals spread around the whole team. In the final period was saw a re-enactment of the ‘don’t panic’ defence from Captain Manwaring Valvona, which resulted in WW being handed the ball on 1 yard with an open goal.
Score line by period: 2 – 2 / 3 – 1 / 4 – 2 / 2 – 3 Man-up conversion 4-8 50%
Porty 16 – Leeds 11
Again another flying start with a brace of goals from Allan Fraser and Barry, Allan only being denied a first period hat-trick when Barry took the second penalty of the weekend. This was also the game where Ramon ‘the wall’ Valvona decided to turn out, making some strong saves and marshalling the defence. Leeds had flow over from Hungary a pit forward, who, not surprisingly was a bit of a bear – however, a change of defensive tactics soon negated his impact, although he has made off with Neilsons’ bathers. The second period was another 5 goals, including some excellent field goals; however, some defensive lapses kept Leeds slim hopes alive. The third period was one of the best of the weekend with Portobello displaying a clinical attack to secure man up situations and convert them, and completely cancelling out the Leeds attack. With the game won the forth period was played out without incident. Oh, and Barry won’t be taking any penalties.
Score by period: 5 – 2 / 5 – 4 / 3 – 0 / 3 – 5 Man-up conversion 5-12 42%
All in all an excellent start for Portobello’s quest for the second division title with the team working well and adjusting play to exploit the new rules.
See the National League Web site for full information on the weekend.
Results from weekend 3 - 16/17th October.
Results from the first 2 National Water Polo League weekends, 18/19th September, 2/3rd October, and the remaining fixture list for 2004.
For information about the
Water Polo section, please contact; Neilson
Rutherford
