Basingstoke Bluefins Water polo Win Hampshire Knockout Cup Final

A full capacity crowd filled the Aquadrome to watch Basingstoke take on Southampton Stingrays in the knockout cup final. Basingstoke, with an 8 goal head start due to the handicap system, lined up knowing Southampton had to attack from the off to make up the difference and have a chance on winning. As it happened, Basingstoke started the game well disciplined and in control, nullifying the Southampton attack and getting off the mark with two quick goals courtesy of Steve Fairhead and Matt Hewitt. The tension in the game began to show with numerous sending outs, Southampton clinical in the attack to score their man up attacks and claw the score back to 10-3 at the end of the first quarter.

 

The second quarter began similar to how the first ended, with numerous sending outs meaning the Stingrays began to assert their authority. Four goals without reply gave Southampton hope that they would be back on level terms at half time, but Basingstoke had other ideas. Dave Egan was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition defence, and two goals from him at the end of the quarter meant Basingstoke went into the half time break leading 12 goals to 7, still holding a comfortable lead and knowing they were two quarters away from victory.

 

As the third quarter started, there was a shift in the atmosphere as both teams knew the hardest half lay ahead. The fans were in good voice, and cheered the players on superbly, giving both teams a boost in the pool. Despite this, the third quarter proved to be the most tightly contested, Basingstoke putting their focus on maintaining their lead and Southampton aiming to concede as few as possible so as not to leave them out of sight for the final quarter. Another goal from Dave Egan and a fantastic finish from James Stone as good as cancelled out the three goals scored by Southampton in the third to leave Basingstoke with 8 minutes to defend a 4 goal lead.

 

Basingstoke could sense victory, but knew they had to maintain their focus or risk slipping behind at the most crucial point of the match. As it happened, the Bluefins held firm and controlled the game superbly. 5 minutes into the final quarter and young guns James Stone, Josh Lay and Jack Taylor had grabbed a goal each, and sterling defensive work at the other end meant Southampton had no reply. The Stingrays were not to be denied for long, and a couple of quick fire goals meant there was no relaxed finish, Basingstoke would be pushed right to the end for their victory. In their desperation to score, Southampton flooded forward and a good counter saw Josh Lay add another to his tally. The clock ran down, and there were cheers from the crowd when goalkeeper Mike Sheath saved the final attempt on the buzzer, and confirmed Basingstoke as champions, with the final score 19-13.

 

A memorable final, and a fantastic result for Basingstoke.

 

Team: Mike Sheath, Matt Hewitt, Jack Taylor, Jake Cleverley, Dave Egan, James Stone, Gavin Bridger, Dave Trewhella, Mike Steer, Steve Fairhead, Alex Pullen, Matt Girle, Josh Lay