ASA Inter-Regional Junior Boys (91 and under) Championships 2009

ASA Inter-Regional Junior Boys (91 and under) Championships 2009
hosted by West Midlands at Walsall Gala Baths
DAY ONE Saturday 5 September 2009
Team:-
Sam Joyce (Southwell), Sam Wass (Bingham), Alex Gabriel (Grantham), Neil Williams
(Grantham), Sam Weedon (S. Derbyshire) George Hill (S.Derbyshire) Will Betts (Grantham), Tom
Alton (Hucknall), Brenn Burbanks (Hucknall), Jonathan Lord (Nottm), Mike Plant (Nottm), Jake
Morley (Southwell).
We travelled to Walsall knowing that this tournament was going to be a massive test for our
squad. Our first was in the shape of the South East, who had some very experienced GB born 91
players in their team. They started off slowly which we instantly took advantage of thanks to
some quick thinking by Sam Wass. We quickly realised that the South East didn't like the more
physical style of play that we've adopted to try and cope with supposed better players! After 3
more goals (Alex Gabriel 2 and Mike Plant) we finished the quarter at a very impressive 4-4.
The 2nd quarter was much the same but our lack of game time as a team started to show and
although Alex Gabriel added another 2 and Will Betts scored with a superb lob right on the buzzer
we started the 3rd 10-7 down. Our fitness levels started to show at this point and even though
Sam Wass and Will Betts added their 2nd of the game we conceded another 5. The last quarter
was totally one-sided in the South East’s favour and we finished the game losing 23-10.
However, the score line in this match, for myself, Colin and Rob was irrelevant. We, in parts
played some good polo against better opposition and for a team that hasn't played together
before, put in a commendable performance.
STAR MAN - Sam Joyce (gk) (he played so well it was noted by the North West coach, who
later nominated him for goalkeeping MVP)
Having only a 1hr 10 mins break we were back on, this time against Scotland. Our players were
tired, but to be fair, Scotland were the better team even though they were fresh. We lost this
match 22-2, Sam Wass and Neil Williams getting one goal apiece. Our lads just couldn't cope
with the strength of the Campbell twins who even though they are both 93 born and playing up an
age group have just spent 3 months playing in the Romanian junior leagues.
STAR MEN - Sam Joyce (gk) again!!! and Brenn Burbanks.
To summarise our team is new, but full of real commitment. We want to play polo and can. In
parts we are playing good polo but our fitness levels in the latter stages of a game are not what
perhaps they should be. A lot of people may say these results are not good enough, but 4 of our
players are 93 born or younger and this is a good sign for the future. I know that with the right
support the East Midlands team can compete at any age group.
DAY TWO Saturday 5 September 2009
Team:- Sam Joyce (Southwell), Sam Wass (Bingham), Alex Gabriel (Gratham), Neil Williams
(Grantham), Sam Weedon (S.Derbyshire),
George Hill (S.Derbyshire), Will Betts (Grantham), Tom Alton (Hucknall), Brenn Burbanks
(Hucknall), Jonathan Lord (Nottm), Jake Morley (Southwell), Mike Plant (Nottm), Sam Lowings
(Bingham).
The day started off with a match against the South West in our group cross over matches for
placings 4 th -6 th . We set out a game plan to play a 1-2 or left side drop (depending on which club

you play for), stop the opposition from playing and to maintain the ball for the full 30 seconds if
needed. Our game plan was working and we went in at the end of the 1st quarter only 0-2 down
and those goals were only scored as the result of a man up play and a penalty.
In the 2nd quarter we changed our play to a full press as the South West had no intention of
setting up an arc. We were the more dominant team until Neil Williams and Mike Plant were both
excluded, the latter for brutality. To our credit, in our resulting 4 minute man down we only
conceded 4 goals but managed to score 2! End of the 2nd quarter:- 4-8 South West.
We were now back evens and showed that we can play polo, winning the 3rd period 5 goals to 2,
George Hill getting grabbing his first for the team in style off the arc. Will Betts (1) and Alex
Gabriel netting 3 penalties.
Unfortunately in the 4th we were just too tired after our earlier heroics and GB hit man Simon
Fennell grabbed 4 goals for the South West taking his personal tally to 9. Alex Gabriel and Will
Betts again scored for us. Final score 14-11 to the South West.
STAR MAN:- Sam Lowings
Our final game of the weekend was against the West Midlands. With 2 of our players on bans
from the previous game, Jake Morley came into the 1st 7 and straight away his hard work earned
us a man up. This however wasn't to be our day. We'd only had 1hr and 10 mins rest before we
were expected to perform again. Our hard work from the previous match had worn us out. We
struggled from the off and we lost the game 16-7.
Although all the lads were shattered, this score line did not reflect the effort put in by every single
East Midlands player. Jonathan Lord got his first goal after some hard canter forward work. Sam
Wass scored an absolute cracker from position 2 after moving the goalkeeper off balance. George
Hill grabbed a well deserved 2nd of the campaign and Sam Weedon netted with a brilliant man up
move.
STAR MEN:-Sam Joyce for saving 2 penalties, Will Betts and Sam Wass.
To Summarise:- This tournament was the highest level water polo our nation has to offer at this
age group. A lot of the players from the top 3 teams, North West, South East and Scotland will go
on to bigger and better things. All our players are now aware of the standard they have to achieve
in order to succeed. I for one, though, am proud of every player that represented the East
Midlands.
Thomas Wall: Coach.
East-Midlands scorers over all 4 matches:-
Sam Joyce - 3 penalty saves
Sam Wass - 4
Neil Williams - 2
Alex Gabriel - 9
Will Betts - 9
Sam Lowings - 1
George Hill - 2
Sam Weedon - 1
Mike Plant - 1
Jonathan Lord - 1
Thanks
Captain - Alex Gabriel for leading by example and not giving away 1 single major in 4 games.
Assistant coach Colin Robbins - helping at training sessions, warming up the team prior to games
and spotting things that I'm missing during matches.
Rob Steel - For getting us the pool time required to train.