Match Reports

2018 Mar 22 Warriors v Bournemouth

MATCH REPORT

Portsmouth welcomed Bournemouth to the Mountbatten centre with a full team and needing a win. ( match report by Jack Woodland )

1st Quarter
After an even start with both teams struggling to create clear cut chances Bournemouth were the first ones to score. However a minute later Grant was able to equalise. The remainder of the quarter passed without any further goals but exclusions for each side, with neither team managing to convert.

2nd Quarter
Portsmouth realised that as Bournemouth only had one substitute, if they could swim hard for the remaining three quarters they should pull away in the final quarter. Portsmouth were defending well and Bournemouth were struggling to create clear chances. This pattern continued in the second quarter with both teams scoring twice (Grant again with two). However both teams continued to squander man-up opportunities. Bournemouth were showing signs of tiring towards the end of the half.

3rd Quarter
Great goals from Tim and Jake with Bournemouth only managing one in response allowed Portsmouth to pull a goal ahead with Portsmouth finally able to convert one of their man-ups. Continuing to rotate their players they were tiring at a much slower rate to the Bournemouth players.

4th Quarter
Portsmouth maintained the lead throughout the final quarter with man of the match Grant scoring a 4th and Adam scoring a second. They weren’t able to take full advantage of Bournemouth tiring and conceded two goals. Throughout the game Bournemouth weren’t able to create much through the pit and had to rely on some great long range shots. Portsmouth ended up with 8 man-ups in total scoring just one, room for improvement in the next game. A good performance from all involved especially in defence showing great improvement over the games from the beginning of the season.

Final Score: Portsmouth 8 – Bournemouth 6

Man of the Match: Grant T

2017 Oct 19 Warriors v Bluefins

MATCH REPORT

Warriors show improved team game to edge out win over Basingstoke Bluefins (match report by Mark Lewis)

Portsmouth Warriors 13 – 11 Basingstoke Bluefins

Portsmouth Warriors v Basingstoke Bluefins
Hampshire League
Date: Thursday 19th October 2017 21:00
Venue: Mountbatten Centre – Portsmouth

Since topping the table in Division 2 for the 2016/17 season, Portsmouth began the new season playing in Division 1 after undergoing a rebrand to reflect the rich naval history of the city. The newly named Portsmouth Warriors assembled in trepidation of what lay ahead in Division 1 but were keen to invite the opposition to ‘Come Out To play’. Basingstoke took up the challenge and it was game on!

Max won every swim off for the Warriors giving Portsmouth the early advantage in each quarter. Within the first minute Jack ‘The Tug Master’ Woodland had opened the scoring by guiding the ball into the top right of the goal with precision. One of his two fine goals of the night. Subbing in for Jack W, Mark was next on the score sheet with a fine push shot assisted by James who’s vision spotted open space in front of goal inviting the on-swimming player to flick the ball past Basingstoke’s Omar.

After his fine assist, James was next on the score board clearing up some messy balls around the pit to hammer one home. A fine start by the Worriers put them 3:0 up but led to some complacency. Basingstoke put pressure on Portsmouth in their own half of the pool and forced three poor passes as players shipped on bad ball in panic in the face of tough pressing. This eventually resulted in a turnover and the Bluefin’s first goal by Matt Girb. With just one minute left to play in the first quarter Portsmouth were again undone by the Bluefin’s. Some over eager defence saw Clem spending time in the corner exclusion zone with Basingstoke capitalising on the man-up. Basingstoke scored again with seconds to go and it was game on at 3:3.

Max was visibly getting frustrated after making some fine brakes but Portsmouth unable to capitalise on them in the first quarter. In the second quarter Max’s persistence was to pay off as he found the back of the net twice – charging clear of the defence and making good the shots. Max sealed his MOTM display with a third in the fourth quarter. Added to his swims, he was a constant thorn in Basingstoke side.

Kester made some fine saves keeping Portsmouth in the game during a tough second quarter when they fell behind, and then helping maintain the winning lead in the third and fourth quarters. Backing up the keeper and working tirelessly Josh and Jack N’s excellent defensive and team play helped keep the ball moving in the right direction – and epitomised the overall teamwork on display throughout the match.

Tim was starting his first competitive match for Portsmouth and his performance was praised by all as he showed his composure in attack helping to set up and assist a surgical score by Lorenzo in third quarter. Lorenzo shooting from range and leaving the Basingstoke goalie with no hope. Lorenzo added to his first goal with a second in the final quarter making use of the man-up to fire in from the left at close range. Adam entered the game from his sick bed to take over from the departing James and assisted in Max’s third goal.

The stand out goal of the game came from Porto’s finest export, Pedro Goncalves. Fighting his way with the ball through several players, Pedro found himself in front of goal and unmarked. Then came the genius of Pedro’s dummy, fooling the goalie the ball fell majestically to the water (as planned) before he picked it up again to hammer it home. That’s one for the slow-mo replay!

James added to his first quarter goal with a silky second and Trevor added two more for good measure. A clever chip over the on-rushing keeper and a fire-bolt long range effort to seal the win. Constant battling from Clem, Mark and Jack in defence proved too much for Basingstoke who were eventually muscled out of the game with the final score finishing 13:11.

Goals:

Max N: 3 (MOTM)
Mark L: 1
Jack W: 2
Lorenzo B: 2
James J: 2
Trevor J: 2
Pedro G: 1

2016 Nov 27 Men v Basingstoke

MATCH REPORT

Division 2 league officially underway with solid win against Basingstoke ( match report by Lorenzo Bernaudo )

Portsmouth 11 – Basingstoke 2

PCWP v Basingstoke B (Div 2)
Date: Sunday 27th November 2016 20:30
Venue: Basingstoke Aquadrome

And so the season got underway with the first official match of the Hampshire Division 2 Water Polo League. The Portsmouth warriors “challenged” by the young lions of Basingstoke.

The match was held at Basingstoke Aquadrome. It was a very exciting and balanced game in the first half where, although Portsmouth immediately took an early lead with two goals by striker Trevor J, neither side was willing to give up. The young Basingstoke athletes held up very well against an evidently physically and technically superior Portsmouth – up to the third quarter, when Portsmouth took off thanks to the above-mentioned Trevor J, Lorenzo B and exceptional goalkeeper exploits of Adam P.

But Basingstoke did not give up and tried and found two very beautiful goals in the third and fourth quarters. Finally in the last quarter Portsmouth closed out the match with goals by Mark L, Ben H and Trevor J. Goalkeeper Adam P was once again the protagonist when the team got into trouble, holding the score line several times with beautiful saves.

Final result: Portsmouth defeats Basingstoke with a heavy 11-2 victory. As stated above, although Basingstoke were carrying an obvious physical disadvantage, they displayed a good vision of the game and know how to “punish” their opponents in moments of weariness. Portsmouth once again demonstrated they are a strong and effective team, definitely one of the stars for the title race of the 16/17 season.

Goals :

Trevor Jones: 5
Mark Lewis: 2
Lorenzo Bernaudo: 2
Ben Hunt: 2

2016 Nov 03 Men v Portland

MATCH REPORT

Portsmouth off to a winning start to the 2016/17 season with a hard-fought win over Portland ( match report by Mark Lewis )

Portsmouth 9 – Portland 6

PCWP v Portland & Weymouth Water Polo Club (friendly)
Date: Thursday 3rd November 2016 21:00
Venue: Mountbatten Centre – Portsmouth

With it feeling like a long layoff over the summer period, Portsmouth were looking to start the new season as they had left off – more victories please! What a perfect way to kick things off than with a “friendly” against old rivals, Portland and Weymouth.

Portsmouth had last met with Portland in a friendly back in March with a Portsmouth victory of 9-7. In this rematch, Portland looked in no mood to go down early doors and the first quarter saw almost a full 8 minutes of ‘arm-wrestling’ in which no fouls or goals were conceded. Both keepers were tested with Adam making several fine saves and Portsmouth shots not challenging the Portland keeper enough. To Portland’s credit they continued to apply the pressure and gained a 2 goal lead at the close of the first quarter.

Portland extended their lead early in the second quarter and Portsmouth were in danger of letting the game slowly slip out of view. But up steps (or should that be swims?) Paul, with a lovely break and 1-on-1 with the goal keeper, showing fine experience to coolly scored Pompy’s first goal of the game and reduce the deficit. Portland again got a break on Portsmouth and extended the lead once more though a fine quick attack.

At the half way mark, coach Trev was keen to keep heads high and with only 3 goals in it, a cracking team performance in defence had kept Portland out though they were struggling on the counter attack.

In the third quarter Portsmouth came out on the attack. Paul again playing a pivotal role passing into Mark who was in position deep in the pit. Mark was able to get away a reverse arm shot and catch the keeper by surprise. Portsmouth were now only 1 goal behind and momentum was shifting.

Under pressure, Portland went a man down. With some lovely passing around the D, the ball came to Adam who, showing his skill in open play is equal to this keeping skills, fired an absolute rocket in the top left. Next it was Jack’s turn to pull Portsmouth level – in another man-up situation with Jack providing the fire power.

Portland were not done and were again showing fine counter attack play to score another 2 goals going into the last quarter 6-4 up.

It was now or never for Portsmouth and fitness was to play a huge part in the closing 10. Paul got things moving with the first goal of the quarter. James was next to score after making a break of his own, Portsmouth working the ball forwards quickly on a turn over. Paul completed his hat trick and Jack doubled his score from a quick corner before Zac ended the night with a finely finished goal to leave the final score 9-6.

Goals :

Paul P: 3 (MOTM)
Mark L: 1
Jack W: 2
Adam P: 1
James J: 1
Zac E: 1

Next match vs Navy away Thursday 24th November 2016 at 1900