4 Bluefins (Jack Taylor , Rebekah Woolcot, Oliver Waldram and Tom Wintle ) from the Basingstoke Bluefins Water polo Club were recently selected to represent the Girls and Boys South East Region teams in the ASA National Academy U16 Water Polo Championships.

The Girls played their matches February 11th and 12th at Walsall in a twin league playoff format.

The South East team proved to be formidable opposition with Rebekah working the midfield, beating Wales 15-1, North West B 7-5, Ireland 8-2 and London in a 7-6 thriller, before again meeting North West B in the playoff final. South East had the advantage at the start of this tight match, leading at half time; they were slowly overhauled towards the end, losing 6-10, to finish very credible silver medallists.

The boys played their matches 25th and 26th February 2012 at Newport International Sports Village in the Div2 League.

Again the South East proved themselves serious competition with Tom shoring up the defence we beat North West Ravens 9-2, Scotland 9-2 until finally on day one meeting one of the Championship favourites East who we beat 4-3 in a nail biting match.

On 2nd day the first match was against Wales who we beat 11-1 then came the crux match against local rivals London, we needed a win or draw to win the League and promotion.

Conceding early goals we found ourselves 4 – 1 behind in the first half, after trading goals we got the score back to 5 – 3 at half time. London scored again early in the second half. We then endured 5 minutes constant pressure with neither team able to gain the upper hand, both defences holding firm, With Oliver and Jack marauding up and down both wings we slowly started creating goal chances breaking through we converted a ‘man up’ opportunity to get within 2 goals, with 1minute and 42 seconds on the clock. Time running out and pressure mounting we intercepted a long pass and within 10 seconds last goal we pull to within 1 goal.

With our defence still holding firm we mounted our last attack 16 seconds remaining, having worked an attacker to within 7m of goal the raucous crowd screamed for a Shot, he shoots it ricochets’ off the defending block and into the goal 1 second remaining on the clock, equalling the score line at 6 all and the undefeated South East are crowned National Div2 Champions.

With the results Basingstoke Bluefins have achieved so far this year you can be assured that Basingstoke Bluefins are a club to watch .

Basingstoke A 9 vs 5 Bournemouth

1. Mike Sheath
2. Chris Wintle
3. Will Hastings
4. Simon Almond
5. James Stone
6. Josh Lay
7. Dave Trewhella
8. Trace Morgan
9. Steven Fairhead

10. Allan Fairhead

11. Matt Girle

12. Trevor Jones

Basingstoke Bluefins returned to their home ground on the back of a confident win over local rivals Andover, ready to put their wits to the test against a strong Bournemouth side. The Dorset based opponents as usual turned up with a strong team, but the home side were able to field a full strength side as well, meaning it was a match to look forward to.

Just like in the previous match, Basingstoke got off to a flying start, a goal each from Allan Fairhead and Simon Almond gave the home side a 2-0 lead in the first quarter, and the solid defending and good goalkeeping of Mike Sheath meant that the clean sheet was still intact by the end of the first quarter. Basingstoke were passing the ball well, and most importantly were swimming back with their players, meaning that the defending was first class.

The home side were looking confident, but conceded their first goal as the second quarter began. Fortunately, the team wasn’t too shaken after the goal, and dusted themselves off and replied with another two goals, one from the dominant A. Fairhead again and one for the up and coming Josh Lay, who once again over the course of the game showed he was a player of high enough calibre for even the toughest match the Basingstoke A team could compete in. Basingstoke settled into the match a bit more, and the tireless swimming of Chris Wintle down the left hand side of the pool once again was a vital part of the build-up.

Half time score: Basingstoke 4-1 Bournemouth

Things went from good to better for the home side, as a goal within the first 20 seconds of the third quarter from the ever reliable Dave Trewhella put Basingstoke 4 goals ahead. Another goal for A. Fairhead shortly followed, leaving the visitors trailing by 5. However, Bournemouth are never a team to write off, and answered with a goal of their own, and began to be more dominant in the game, taking control of more of the play.

Fortunately for the home side, the backbone of the team remained solid, with players like Steven Fairhead, Trace Morgan and Trevor Jones holding the shape and formation, and giving the team a base upon which to build, which meant that although the play began to swing towards Bournemouth, Basingstoke held out well enough, and remained solid in defence, helped immensely by the strong pit defence of James Stone. The final quarter saw more goals, as both teams were fighting hard, Basingstoke to make sure of their win, and Bournemouth to try and get some foothold back in the game. Fortunately players like Matt Girle held the ball up well, and denied Bournemouth the possession they so desperately needed. A goal from A. Fairhead and a sweet shot from Josh Lay which sailed past the keeper maintained the lead the home side had opened up, and a last gasp goal for newcomer Will Hastings in the last 30 seconds of the game meant the home side finished 4 goals in front of the visitors, an impressive margin against such a strong team.

Final Score: Basingstoke 9-5 Bournemouth

Feedback:

From the captain, Mike Sheath:

‘Another great start to the match, going 2 goals up unanswered in the first quarter was a fantastic achievement, and I think it really shows that if we can blitz the other team in the first quarter and get a few goals lead then we can carry on and win the match, like we’ve done in the last 2 weeks. Again communication is an issue; we need to start picking out the right pass as sometimes the pass is going to a player when there is a better pass available. Despite this, there were some very good performances in the pool, and it gives me a lot of hope for the coming season.’

From the vice captain, Trace Morgan:

‘1. awareness is improving on defence, but on the attack needs to improve more, if a shot goes off get our asses back to cover don`t just sit there, coz whilst your sitting there your defender becomes the attacker and breaks off you, advantage opposition.

2. Equal game time? a couple of senior players were sat on the bench for long times maybe try and even it out more (Simon wasn`t happy and he`s not really happy about the club fees and we can`t really afford to lose him yet)

3.not sure if the diamond is working, but i think our awareness is improving.

4. The substitution of certain players for certain players went a bit haywire.

5.on these friendlies having 2-3 weaker players in didn`t really matter, in the league with harder teams might not be a good idea, if someone doesn`t chase their player back and they score from it that player should have a break, i was guilty on one occasion, gives more incentive to try harder.’

From the coach, Iain Masson:

 ‘A) Some players did not apply positioning guidance issued at the start of the match by me. Resulting in players playing and taking up valuable space in the water which in some areas stifled valuable movement and limited space available,

b) Players did not cover for others while in defensive mode allowing the opposition far too must room in threating areas. Although this type of defending (man marking) can (and was in this instance) be overall was successful. The team will be punished hard when playing higher ability teams as Weymouth, Southampton’s etc. when you leave them to much room in the pool in key goal threatening areas e.g. around the 4m mark in front of goal or not supporting the pit defender quickly in removing the ball from the pit attacker

c) Balance of skills in the water during the matches is still giving us a problem (this is down to me) and I need to get better.

And lastly and most worryingly d), when mounting a traditional offensive we are all over the place! Attackers are playing to deep so that they can't support the front line, balls being rushed from the back which is leaving offensive players stuck in no man’s land, high risk shots as goal from wings. I could go on.

On the spin side to the above. We have spent some time on the defensive diamond. This was not used greatly/if any used during the Bournemouth match. But overall defensively we played well. From what I saw I consider a hybrid version may be commencing. Is this to be the future ideal solution? If so, this will need individuals conducting a measured ability of those in the water of the individual they face and share their views with others (This will need to occur while in the water!). This relies on a point made last week about recognising what the opposition are doing in the water from a team tactics perspective and now an individual basis. Key enabler - communication.’

Thank you and well done to all who played!

Basingstoke A 13 vs 7 Andover

1. Mike Sheath
2. Chris Wintle
3. Alex Pullen
4. Jake Cleverley
5. James Stone
6. Dave Trewhella
7. Trace Morgan
8. Steve Fairhead
9. Simon Almond

10. Matt Girle

11. Trevor Jones

Basingstoke Bluefins began their first game back after the summer break with a friendly against Andover, local rivals and also a good team to play against. After spending the summer getting some serious fitness training and tactical coaching from the recently appointed head coach Iain Masson, Basingstoke were more than ready and extremely up for the game, it would just be a case of finding out just how much of an improvement there had been on the team since the last time they played.

Fortunately, the game started heavily in favour of the home side, who scored 5 unanswered goals in the first quarter, with 2 goals each for veteran goal scorer Dave Trewhella and powerhouse Trevor Jones, and a single goal from a player making a triumphant return to the team after a long absence, the one and only Steven Fairhead showing he hasn’t lost any of his confidence and skill in front of goal.

Andover got back into the game in the second quarter, after being stunned by the blitz that had been inflicted in the first. 3 goals from Andover were only answered by two for the home side, another from Fairhead and a first for Simon Almond, who was an extremely influential playmaker in the pool that night. The hosts finished the first half 4 goals ahead.

Half time score: 7-3

Things began to even out in the beginning of the second half, as Andover changed tactics, which seemed to throw the home side for a while, before they regained their composure and stabilized the game, keeping Andover at bay but not making much headway themselves. There was however some critical defending from players like Chris Wintle and James Stone, the latter who is steadily showing the true potential he has yet to achieve as an extremely useful pit defender, certainly one to watch for the future. Basingstoke began to utilise their wing men more as the game went on, and showed the potential there for some good breaks down the wings leading to some good goals in the pit. Some especially good swimming came from Jake Cleverley and Matt Girle, who both began to deliver some good passes into the pit on a more regular basis. This third quarter finished with the score difference the same, both teams scoring 3 goals. For the home side these goals came courtesy of a double for Simon Almond, and a single goal from vice-captain Trace Morgan, making a break from the back to show he can attack just as well as he could defend.

As the final quarter began, Basingstoke noticeably settled into the formation and instructions given to them by the coach, players we getting back and defending well, leaving keeper and captain Mike Sheath to deal with only a few shots, and to mop up and gaps in the defence that rarely occurred. Some good defending was shown also by Alex Pullen, proof that the juniors were making full use of their chance to play in the A team, and to try and show that given time they could become more regular in the team, as they all have to potential to be players of a high enough quality. Another two goals from Trevor Jones and one from James Stone, well deserved after a good performance, meant Basingstoke finished the game after a strong quarter, and with a lead of 13 goals to 7.

Final Score: Basingstoke 13-7 Andover

Feedback:

From the captain, Mike Sheath: ‘A good start to the season with a friendly that really showed just how strong a team we are. Some good finishing, and ruthless attacking really meant that we took the game to andover. We just need to make sure that we don’t lose any intensity over the course of the game and let the other team get back into it, and also need to learn to look around the pool before going to pass the ball to make sure that we pick out the best pass available, as there were times when passes were going where they shouldn’t, because there was someone else available who had a lot of space. Things to work on, but definitely an impressive start.’

From the coach, Iain Masson: ‘Basingstoke Senior Mens team friendly against Andover provided the opportunity to explore the number of practices they had learned over the summer against real opposition. It also tested how hard they had worked in training. Against this I felt that discipline and focus during the match was good (Charter appears to be working!!) this early in the season with ball handling skills showing a element of improvement over short distances. Although the longer two metre type passes around the arc are still in need of development. Teamwork was generally good and the more junior members of the Senior Mens team coped well with the pressure of a strong Andover side and expectations from within the team. Naturally change overs we difficult for the players. But they stuck to the task and this should get better with more practice. I was pleased at the attitude and behaviour towards the diamond formation/tactics we have adopted. It certainly worked in the first quarter. But we need to remember that this is only one type of tactic we can adopt and we equally need to recognise when the other teams change theirs to counter ours. This did cost us a few goals. The historic man up and man down also being particulary in need of some work at training. All in all, a 13 - 7 win against nearly a full Andover side I thought was a very satisfying result. We must continue to build on our learning against Bournemouth this Sunday.’

Thank you and well done to all who played!