New Zealand's largest water polo event is now only four days away. This Tuesday we're rewinding the clock to the 2014 under 20 women's final between Canberra Academy and Wellington that was a Trans-Tasman battle of the capital cities!
Australia's Canberra Water Polo Academy have taken on the girls from New Zealand's capital, Wellington, in the 2014 Benefitz Under 20 Women's Grand Final.
Wellington's Abby Cartmell opened the scoring with a goal from centre forward. Canberra's M. Taylor responded with two clean goals, bringing the score to 1-2 heading into the break.
Canberra came out firing, with #7 Gracie Smith netting one and Taylor netting another, 1-4. Wellington did not back down, Jaymee Graham got a beautiful lob over goalie A. Johnston, and Abby Cartmell contributed another goal. 3-4 at half time.
Wellington executed a brilliant 6 on 5 attack, Graham scored another. 4-5. Gracie Smith scored her second goal, pushing her team's lead out to two. Wellington's Kate Enoka wasn't prepared to head into the last quarter two goals down, and ripped a beauty - bringing them back into the race for the gold. 5-6 with a quarter to play.
Up, down, up, down, up, down. Canberra's huge defence pressured Wellington to shoot from distance - many of them rebounding off the bar.
Three time outs are all that the fourth quarter offered, final score 5-6 to Canberra Academy.
"Defence, defence, defence." said Canberra coach Drago Bakic.
He threw off his shoes and dived into the pool with his team - Canberra Academy's first Pan Pacific Youth Water Polo Festival title.
Gracie Smith was named the Most Valuable Player after she scored two goals in the final.
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