WATER POLO: Australia’s Women’s Water Polo Team have taken out the first game against China in the FINA Women's World League Intercontinental Tournament in Texas, by the narrow margin of 12-10.

The Aussie Stingers came into the Tournament having recently won a three test match series against China in Perth. However, with China currently ranked inside the top five in the world they expected a tough opening game.

Australia and China are two of four nations that have secured their start at the Rio Olympics, along with Brazil and Hungary.

London Olympian Glencora McGhie (WA) had an impressive start to the Tournament scoring five goals for the Aussies in what was an extremely close match between the two sides.

“It was a really tough game, really physical which it always is with China.

“It was good to come away with the win but we still have a lot of team markers that we are yet to achieve.

“We have our game against Canada tomorrow so hopefully we can improve on tonight’s game,” said McGhie.

The World League Intercontinental Tournament is a key preparation event for the Aussie Stingers ahead of the Rio Olympics, providing strong international competition against some of the best nations in the world, and is a qualifier for the World League Finals that will take place in June in China.

The Aussies will next take on Canada tomorrow (Thursday 18 February) at 9:40am (AEDST).

Quarter time scores; AUS-CHN (1) 3-3 (2) 5-5 (3) 9-7 (4) 12-10

Aussie scorers: McGhie (5), Southern (2), Zagame (2), Gofers (1), Halligan (1), Arancini (1)

Aussie start list; (1) Lea Yanitas (2) Gemma Beadsworth (3) Hannah Buckling (4) Holly Lincoln-Smith (5) Keesja Gofers (6) Bronte Halligan (7) Rowie Webster (C) (8) Glencora McGhie (9) Zoe Arancini (10) Ashleigh Southern (11) Isobel Bishop (12) Nicola Zagame (13) Kelsey Wakefield

Water polo Australia