WATER POLO: The enduring Trans-Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand has continued with the Australian women’s water polo team, the Aussie Stingers defeating New Zealand 10-2 in their second game at the FINA World League Intercontinental tournament in Auckland New Zealand.

While the Stingers put on a credible offensive display, their victory was underpinned by a strong defensive effort that rendered New Zealand scoreless for the final three quarters of the game.

In a similar fashion to their opening 17-6 win over Japan, the Stingers were able to rely on a number of shooting options throughout the game, to see five different players score. Olympic bronze medallist and Stingers centre forward Holly Lincoln-Smith proved to be the most accurate of those scorers, netting three goals for the game.

Early on in the encounter it appeared as if New Zealand would prove to be stubborn opponents, the score 3-2 at the first break. However the score line soon blew out against the hosts, as a strong five goals to nil second term put the Stingers in the box seat for victory, the score 8-2 at half time.

Despite the advantage at the beginning of the second half, Australia could only muster one goal in the third term, courtesy of Lincoln-Smith, while 2013 FINA World Championships silver medallist Hannah Buckling capitalised during a counter attack opportunity to be the only scorer of the fourth quarter.

With their second win in as many games, the Aussie Stingers will aim to make it three straight when they take on Canada at 2.30pm AEST tomorrow afternoon. The winner of that game will determine who out of Australia and Canada finishes at the top of the group ahead of the quarterfinals.

Aussie Stingers
Lea Yanitsas, Gemma Beadsworth, Hannah Buckling, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Isobel Bishop, Bronte Colenso, Rowie Webster, Zoe Arancini, Bronte Halligan, Keesja Gofers, Nicola Zagame, Lillian Hedges

Result: AUS 10 bt New Zealand 8

Quarters: 3-2, 5-0, 1-0, 1-0

AUS Scorers: H Lincoln-Smith 3, R Webster 2, I Bishop 2, B Halligan 2, H Buckling

WATER POLO AUSTRALIA