Demons down B52s as action-packed finals bring close to Geraldton water polo season

Derek GoforthGeraldton Guardian
Camera IconDemons made it four wins in a row over the B52s to claim the title Credit: Jake Santa Maria

Demons battled to the very last minute on Saturday to pull off a huge victory against a talented B52s side in the Geraldton water polo A-grade men’s grand final on Saturday.

The Demons won in convincing style, taking the victory 10-6, stamping their authority as the benchmark of the competition, with Lachy Toomath winning the best in pool award for the Demons side.

The game started at an electric pace and the energy levels did not dip during the four quarters.

B52s got off to the perfect start with an early goal from Todd Houwen as Demons remained scoreless until Thomas Manuel nabbed a cheeky goal, throwing the ball behind him without looking and into the bottom of Jack Deschamp’s net.

Demons came alive in the second quarter with goals from Zac Cross, Jack Cocking and two from Ben Vittino to take control of the game.

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More goals came in the third from Cross, Bruce MacDonald and Toomath as B52s failed to score in the second and third quarters with outstanding goalkeeping once more from Drew MacGregor.

The Demons keeper saved more than 20 great shots across the game.

Camera IconDrew MacGregor superb save for Demons Credit: Derek Goforth

B52s put up a game comeback in the final quarter and looked like they could pull things back, with two goals apiece from Mick Rock and captain Corey Smith.

But with one more goal from player of the match Toomath, Demons took the well-earned victory, making it four consecutive wins over their closest rivals.

Coach Zac Cross was understandably over the moon with the team’s result on the day but also the performance of the men across the season.

“It was a good game against B52s, we have a couple of wins and a couple of losses. It’s always exciting to get in the grand final and to do it over the best was amazing,” he said.

In the B-grade grand final, things went according to plan with a victory for the B52s over the B52 Relics side.

The favourites won in good style 12-4.

B52s led 4-0 at halftime and never looked under a great deal of pressure in the first two quarters.

Goals from Ryan Hetherington and Zane Clarke saw the Relics put up a comeback of sorts but the B52s continued their goal rout in the second half with goals from Ray Godenzie and Matthew Chamberlain clinching the win for the minor premiers.

In the C-grade match-up, it was another all-B52s grand final.

B52s White won out over B52s Blue in a thrilling and fast-paced game 10-5.

Callum Sojan won the best in pool award.

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