Three of Australia’s leading London Olympic women’s water polo hopefuls, Nicola Zagame, Alicia McCormack and Holly Lincoln-Smith have led the Cronulla Sharks to their first National Water Polo League title since 2006 defeating the three-time defending champions Brisbane Barracudas.

The men’s gold medal final was a similar story with Australian London aspirants Tim Cleland and Beijing Olympian Jamie Beadsworth inspiring the Fremantle Mariners to a second consecutive title over the Victorian Tigers.


Women's final:

After losing last year’s gold edition in an agonising penalty shootout, Cronulla came out with all guns blazing as they attempted to end the Barracudas shot at four straight titles in a 6-3 victory.

The Sharks were superb in defence all game as Nicola Zagame at centre back and Alicia McCormack in goals dominated the Barracudas attack.

The scores were level at 1-1 at the first break, before the Sharks netted four goals to one in the second term, including a double to 16-year-old Lena Mihailovic, to open up a three goal lead.

A single score in the third then increased the margin to 6-2 going into the last quarter.

Brisbane tried to mount a fight back in the last netting an early goal through Gynther, but the sharp reflexes of McCormack worked to deny the Barracudas’ a shot at further history.

McCormack, who was part of the championship winning team in 2006, said it was a fabulous feeling to know they had triumphed over one of the best team’s ever.

“The team spoke earlier today and all we wanted to focus on was playing our style of polo,” McCormack said.

“Our coach was also great as he told us there was no pressure and that all he wanted to see was a great team effort. And I think we did that.

“Last year we had a stacked team and unfortunately we came up short, so to do what we did this year with a much younger team is great.

“All our younger girls really stepped up and to know that we will only get better next year makes this even greater.”

Despite the loss, the Barracudas remain one of the most successful team’s ever with three straight wins, a sliver and a bronze from the last five season.

Result: Cronulla Sharks 6 (Nicola Zagame 3, Lena Mihailovic 2, Elyse Nicholson) bt Brisbane Barracudas 3 (Kate Gynther 2, Jane Moran). Qtrs: 1-1, 4-1, 1-0, 0-1.


Men's final:

The Fremantle Mariners claimed a second consecutive National Water Polo League title after defeating the Victorian Tigers 11-9.

In what was a replay of last year’s final, Fremantle came out of the blocks firing leading 5-1 at quarter time thanks to three straight goals by Lawrence.

Victoria then reversed the tables in the second term scoring five goals themselves to reduce the margin to one at half time. Slovakian international Tomas Bruder scored two in that quarter, while Aussie Sharks captain Sam McGregor netted a crucial penalty late in the piece.

The two teams then exchanged goals for the remainder of the match as Cleland asserted his dominance in both defence and attack.

Cleland’s four goals as well as Jamie Beadsworth’s strong presence at centre forward allowed the Mariners to maintain their advantage right through each quarter.

Beadsworth, who missed out on the 2011 triumph due to injury, said the club’s seventh win was one of their greatest.

“It’s very good for the club to get back-to-back titles. We’ve had an inconsistent season, but like last year we put it together when it mattered and to get the win against a very tough team is great,” Beadsworth said.

“We’ve had our ongoing battles with Victoria for some time now, and since they beat us in the semi-final in 2010, we’ve managed to beat them in every finals game since.

“It was of course disappointing to miss out on the victory last year, but to come back this season and play my role within the team has been great and to be part of this win is amazing.”

The Victorian Tigers have now had a gold and two silvers in the previous three editions of the national league finals, while the Mariners have confirmed their position as the most successful club in the history of the competition.

Result: Fremantle Mariners 11 (Tim Cleland 4, Daniel Lawrence 4, Joel Swift 2, Grant Richardson) bt Victoria 9 (James Woods 3, Tomas Bruder 3, Sam McGregor 2, B Edwards). Qtrs: 5-1, 2-5, 2-2, 2-1.

Both the Aussie Stingers and Aussie Sharks now head overseas for vital London Olympic lead up tournaments, with the Stingers lining up in the London Test Event which starts on May 3.

The final Aussie Stingers Olympic squad will be announced on June 12, with men’s named on June 22.

Australian Water Polo Inc