Cronulla U18's Boys win Silver at nationals
The
Cronulla U18 Men’s team have won silver in the National Championships recently
held at the Institute of Sport in Canberra. The silver medal caps off a Stella
year for the team who won the Metropolitan and State Championships on the way
to the Nationals Gold Medal game against the old enemy Sydney University.
After
drawing tournament favourites Melville Saints in their pool and clawing back to
an outstanding
8 – 8 draw
in the first round against them Cronulla were placed 2nd in the pool
on goal averages.
In the
tournament crossover Cronulla crushed Queensland heavyweights KFC Breakers 13 –
2 to set up the most entertaining game of the tournament against Melville
Sharks. In that quarter final two goals to Cronulla in final 47 seconds
allowed them to take the lead, however a last gasp goal allowed Melville to
level the score at 8-all to take the game into golden goal extra-time. For
seven minutes, both teams exchanged shots with neither team able to break the
deadlock, before Kieren Brunner-Evans scored his second to seal Cronulla’s
place in the semi-finals.
With their
veins still pulsating with adrenaline from this victory Cronulla destroyed
Hunter Blue 15 – 5 in the semi-final to set up the gold medal match against
Sydney University.
In a low
scoring game that was described by Australian Water Polo as “an epic” Cronulla
lost out 4 – 3 after leading 3 – 2 at the main break. In the end it was a
masterful display by Sydney University and Australian representative goalkeeper
Anthony Hrysanthos that denied Cronulla the water polo grand slam of Metropolitan,
State and National Championships in 2013.
Cronulla
Team Coach Dudi Krstic said, “We could have won, we
just missed our chance,”.
Whilst the loss was disappointing for the team it was not
all bad news with 3 Cronulla players being recognised for their outstanding
form at the championships being selected to represent Australia in Europe later
in the year. After an outstanding National League season Goal Keeper Sam
Cocokios will represent Australia in The junior men’s team on their world
championship tour to Croatia and Hungary.
Tom Freeman and Angus Lambie will also represent
Australia in the Born 1996 team to tour Germany, Hungary and Croatia.
Australian Born 96 coach Andrew Yanitsas said, “The team was selected in
regards to their performances in the championships and the camps, along with
their potential for higher representation. These boys selected have a great
opportunity to cement their spots in the team, going forward into next year’s
world championships.”
Gold Medal Match - Sydney University 4 ( Jai Macnamara 2,
Tom McJannet 1 and Will Cotterill 1 Defeated Cronulla Sharks 3 (Angus Lambie 1,
Lachlan Clarke 1 and Uga Mihailovic 1)