ASA Inter-Regional Junior Boys (91 and under) Championships 2009
ASA Inter-Regional Junior Boys (91 and under) Championships 2009
ASA Inter-Regional Junior Boys (91 and under) Championships 2009
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<strong>ASA</strong> <strong>Inter</strong>-<strong>Regional</strong> <strong>Junior</strong> <strong>Boys</strong> (<strong>91</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>under</strong>) <strong>Championships</strong> <strong>2009</strong><br />
hosted by West Midl<strong>and</strong>s at Walsall Gala Baths<br />
DAY ONE Saturday 5 September <strong>2009</strong><br />
Team:-<br />
Sam Joyce (Southwell), Sam Wass (Bingham), Alex Gabriel (Grantham), Neil Williams<br />
(Grantham), Sam Weedon (S. Derbyshire) George Hill (S.Derbyshire) Will Betts (Grantham), Tom<br />
Alton (Hucknall), Brenn Burbanks (Hucknall), Jonathan Lord (Nottm), Mike Plant (Nottm), Jake<br />
Morley (Southwell).<br />
We travelled to Walsall knowing that this tournament was going to be a massive test for our<br />
squad. Our first was in the shape of the South East, who had some very experienced GB born <strong>91</strong><br />
players in their team. They started off slowly which we instantly took advantage of thanks to<br />
some quick thinking by Sam Wass. We quickly realised that the South East didn't like the more<br />
physical style of play that we've adopted to try <strong>and</strong> cope with supposed better players! After 3<br />
more goals (Alex Gabriel 2 <strong>and</strong> Mike Plant) we finished the quarter at a very impressive 4-4.<br />
The 2nd quarter was much the same but our lack of game time as a team started to show <strong>and</strong><br />
although Alex Gabriel added another 2 <strong>and</strong> Will Betts scored with a superb lob right on the buzzer<br />
we started the 3rd 10-7 down. Our fitness levels started to show at this point <strong>and</strong> even though<br />
Sam Wass <strong>and</strong> Will Betts added their 2nd of the game we conceded another 5. The last quarter<br />
was totally one-sided in the South East’s favour <strong>and</strong> we finished the game losing 23-10.<br />
However, the score line in this match, for myself, Colin <strong>and</strong> Rob was irrelevant. We, in parts<br />
played some good polo against better opposition <strong>and</strong> for a team that hasn't played together<br />
before, put in a commendable performance.<br />
STAR MAN - Sam Joyce (gk) (he played so well it was noted by the North West coach, who<br />
later nominated him for goalkeeping MVP)<br />
Having only a 1hr 10 mins break we were back on, this time against Scotl<strong>and</strong>. Our players were<br />
tired, but to be fair, Scotl<strong>and</strong> were the better team even though they were fresh. We lost this<br />
match 22-2, Sam Wass <strong>and</strong> Neil Williams getting one goal apiece. Our lads just couldn't cope<br />
with the strength of the Campbell twins who even though they are both 93 born <strong>and</strong> playing up an<br />
age group have just spent 3 months playing in the Romanian junior leagues.<br />
STAR MEN - Sam Joyce (gk) again!!! <strong>and</strong> Brenn Burbanks.<br />
To summarise our team is new, but full of real commitment. We want to play polo <strong>and</strong> can. In<br />
parts we are playing good polo but our fitness levels in the latter stages of a game are not what<br />
perhaps they should be. A lot of people may say these results are not good enough, but 4 of our<br />
players are 93 born or younger <strong>and</strong> this is a good sign for the future. I know that with the right<br />
support the East Midl<strong>and</strong>s team can compete at any age group.<br />
DAY TWO Saturday 5 September <strong>2009</strong><br />
Team:- Sam Joyce (Southwell), Sam Wass (Bingham), Alex Gabriel (Gratham), Neil Williams<br />
(Grantham), Sam Weedon (S.Derbyshire),<br />
George Hill (S.Derbyshire), Will Betts (Grantham), Tom Alton (Hucknall), Brenn Burbanks<br />
(Hucknall), Jonathan Lord (Nottm), Jake Morley (Southwell), Mike Plant (Nottm), Sam Lowings<br />
(Bingham).<br />
The day started off with a match against the South West in our group cross over matches for<br />
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 <strong>and</strong> to maintain the ball for the full 30 seconds if<br />
needed. Our game plan was working <strong>and</strong> we went in at the end of the 1st quarter only 0-2 down<br />
<strong>and</strong> those goals were only scored as the result of a man up play <strong>and</strong> a penalty.<br />
In the 2nd quarter we changed our play to a full press as the South West had no intention of<br />
setting up an arc. We were the more dominant team until Neil Williams <strong>and</strong> Mike Plant were both<br />
excluded, the latter for brutality. To our credit, in our resulting 4 minute man down we only<br />
conceded 4 goals but managed to score 2! End of the 2nd quarter:- 4-8 South West.<br />
We were now back evens <strong>and</strong> showed that we can play polo, winning the 3rd period 5 goals to 2,<br />
George Hill getting grabbing his first for the team in style off the arc. Will Betts (1) <strong>and</strong> Alex<br />
Gabriel netting 3 penalties.<br />
Unfortunately in the 4th we were just too tired after our earlier heroics <strong>and</strong> GB hit man Simon<br />
Fennell grabbed 4 goals for the South West taking his personal tally to 9. Alex Gabriel <strong>and</strong> Will<br />
Betts again scored for us. Final score 14-11 to the South West.<br />
STAR MAN:- Sam Lowings<br />
Our final game of the weekend was against the West Midl<strong>and</strong>s. With 2 of our players on bans<br />
from the previous game, Jake Morley came into the 1st 7 <strong>and</strong> straight away his hard work earned<br />
us a man up. This however wasn't to be our day. We'd only had 1hr <strong>and</strong> 10 mins rest before we<br />
were expected to perform again. Our hard work from the previous match had worn us out. We<br />
struggled from the off <strong>and</strong> we lost the game 16-7.<br />
Although all the lads were shattered, this score line did not reflect the effort put in by every single<br />
East Midl<strong>and</strong>s player. Jonathan Lord got his first goal after some hard canter forward work. Sam<br />
Wass scored an absolute cracker from position 2 after moving the goalkeeper off balance. George<br />
Hill grabbed a well deserved 2nd of the campaign <strong>and</strong> Sam Weedon netted with a brilliant man up<br />
move.<br />
STAR MEN:-Sam Joyce for saving 2 penalties, Will Betts <strong>and</strong> Sam Wass.<br />
To Summarise:- This tournament was the highest level water polo our nation has to offer at this<br />
age group. A lot of the players from the top 3 teams, North West, South East <strong>and</strong> Scotl<strong>and</strong> will go<br />
on to bigger <strong>and</strong> better things. All our players are now aware of the st<strong>and</strong>ard they have to achieve<br />
in order to succeed. I for one, though, am proud of every player that represented the East<br />
Midl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
Thomas Wall: Coach.<br />
East-Midl<strong>and</strong>s scorers over all 4 matches:-<br />
Sam Joyce - 3 penalty saves<br />
Sam Wass - 4<br />
Neil Williams - 2<br />
Alex Gabriel - 9<br />
Will Betts - 9<br />
Sam Lowings - 1<br />
George Hill - 2<br />
Sam Weedon - 1<br />
Mike Plant - 1<br />
Jonathan Lord - 1<br />
Thanks<br />
Captain - Alex Gabriel for leading by example <strong>and</strong> not giving away 1 single major in 4 games.<br />
Assistant coach Colin Robbins - helping at training sessions, warming up the team prior to games<br />
<strong>and</strong> spotting things that I'm missing during matches.<br />
Rob Steel - For getting us the pool time required to train.