Men's 1st vs Bath Uni 1st 25/11/2011

Last Friday, the first and only knock out round of the SUWP tournament took place in the majestic sport centre of Bath University, with Soton needing to beat Bath to stay in the tournament, having lost to Plymouth.

In the first two quarters, Bath had the upper hand of the game playing stronger in both attack and defence. The first quarter ended with our team receiving two goals and managing to score only one goal with a long shot. (2-1)

The second quarter was quite similar to the first one, with Bath scoring another goal and our side managing to score one goal only. The end of the first half found us losing 4-2.

However, the second half of the game belonged to us. The extra swimming sessions paid off as our team managed to maintain a very good rhythm in the game and scored 4 impressive goals in the third quarter. The goals were scored from man ups, as well as even-attacks; with clever passes into the pit and shots around on the arc. The score at the end of the third quarter was 6-6.

With our spirits up from our great come back in the third quarter and knowing that our fitness was better than theirs, our team continued the game in the fourth quarter, which was full of excitement, passion and a considerable dose of violence. Until the 3rd minute of the quarter both teams had scored one goal, but the Soton lads then scored 2 goals in a row, giving us the feeling that the game was over with only two minutes to go. Additionally, Duncan Jenkins with his magical “clumsy” technique ended up with an elbow to the face and a Bath player excluded for brutality. However, this wasn’t the end, as Bath scored a goal making us again feel worried. Thankfully, we managed to keep possession of the ball long enough in order to finish the game with a one goal advantage, the scores set at 8-9.

It is worth mentioning that Will Logothetis managed to get wrapped in the first two minutes of the game for sarcastically clapping to a referee’s decision. Also Tree can easily be dubbed the punching bag of the game as he had to leave the game, in the 4th quarter after entering for 2 minutes and getting a cold-blooded punch on the nose.

Support from Ali and HK was much appreciated! Our two Soton supporters managed to shout louder than the 50 Bath supporters (actual fact) and they were not even rowdy, noisy Greeks/Cypriots.

Scorers:
5 - Panos Logothetis
2 - Henry Perkins
1/2 - Josh Rowland (on game sheet: 1 goal, he and teammates remember 2 goals)
1 - Will Divall

Men's 1st vs Southampton City 22/11/2011

One of the most serious and tough games for the Hampshire league took place on Wednesday in the Town Quay pool of the Southampton City team.

The first quarter was levelled between both sides as both teams managed to score two goals each. Our team managed to put the ball effectively in the pit and consequently the pit man scored two beautiful goals. This way leading to a 2-2 tie at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was a complete destruction for our team. Our team showed many signs of weakness, in attacking the shallow end and defending the deep end. Players getting expelled and losing the ball in the attack sadly was a common sight during this quarter. The end of the quarter found our team losing by 7-2.

The third quarter was more giving to us, as the team achieved to score three goals and receive only two. The team managed this by playing well organised attacks as well as defences. At the end of the quarter the score was 9-5 for City.

The fourth quarter, which found again our team attacking in the shallow end, had no goals scored by our team and two goals being received. The score board had the final score on it and it was unfortunately 11-5 against us.

It has to be noted that the number of major fouls/penalties our team succumbed to was 11, compared to 4 major fouls by City’s behalf. Also 7 out of the 11 goals received were received either by penalty or on a man down. Our low number of goals scored, as well as the great number of goals received, was mainly due to the lack of confidence in shooting by many players and the disability to mark stronger players tactically instead of physically, respectively.

Training has already been adjusted in order to improve shooting, increase confidence and make man marking more effective.

Scorers:
2- Will Logothetis
2- Josh Rowland
1- Will Divall

Ladies' 1st vs Plymouth Uni 1st 16/11/2011

With the last match of the group stages upon us, Southampton Ladies took on Plymouth Ladies.
The goals got underway quickly, with Southampton scoring within the first 15 seconds. Southampton were quick to counter attack throughout the game, with the score at the end of the first quarter 5 – 0.

Both teams defended hard, however Southampton’s more experienced player gave them the advantage and with Plymouth yet to score, half way ended at 8-0

Southampton maintained a comfortable lead, communicating well, with Melody Qui and Sophie Copson setting up a number of goals. Despite Southampton’s intimidating lead, Plymouth kept up a hard press into attack throughout the 3rd and 4th quarters.
With Plymouth scoring the last goal of the match the score line finished at 18-2

Good effort by all the girls and some fantastic support!!

Scorers:
6 - Caz Tripp
5 - Chrissie Darby
2 - Polly Thomas
1 - Melody Qui
1 - Alessandria Rodari
1 - Vicky Gall
1 - Sarah Shephard

A round up of the SUWP group stages!

The SUWP group stages are now complete and both the mens and womens 1st teams have made it through to the play offs for the trophy competition!

After the mens team suffered the disappointment of losing narrowly to Plymouth on Wednesday it was thought that the SUWP journey was over as the team will finish 2nd in the group. Similarly, having previously lost to Bath last Sunday the girls team also thought that they would be out of the competition.

The format of the competition had not however been fully understood. The top 2 teams from each group (8 teams) are to have play offs that will decide who will  claim the four places available for the tournament when the ultimate winner will be found on 3rd December. So... both teams must play away next week to secure their fate!

• The Mens team are to play away against Bath on Friday 25th November
• The Womens team will play away against Bristol, date tbc

For more information, please check the SUWP website. A link is provided on the side of this page.

Ladies' 1st vs Bath Uni 1st 13/11/2011

A belated report on the what can only be described as the most intense and frustrating match the girls have ever yet to play.

November 13th saw Southampton Ladies take on Bath at Home, in the second of the group stages in the SUWP tournament.

It was a tough match with Bath taking an early lead, however Southampton held out in the first 2 quarters, refusing to allow them a dominant lead. With tensions high the end of the second quarter saw Bath number 12’s final exclusion from the match.

Southampton’s tactic to remain calm saw them draw level with Bath in the third quarter. However Soton Ladies never managed to take the lead and the score closed at the of the fourth quarter 8-9

Better luck next time!

Men's 1st vs Plymouth Uni 1st 16/11/2011

A very interesting game took place in Jubilee’s Sport Centre pool on Wednesday. This game was the last game for the group stages of the SUWP tournament.

As was expected, the opposing team was really tough and had in its possession some skilled players.

Due to many mistakes in both attack and defence, our team managed to score only one early goal and concede four quick goals by the end of the first quarter.

From then on, the game was an incessant chase to level the score for the Southampton team. In the second quarter, our players were able to score three goals and receive only two by attacking effectively and by playing organised defences, reducing the gap between the two teams’ scores.

In the third quarter of the game, our boys pressed Plymouth’s team in defence effectively, by not giving away mindless majors. In addition to that, well organised offensive tries and use of drills, learned in training, took place. All that led to two goals being scored by us and none from Plymouth leading to a 6-6 draw.

In the fourth quarter our team scored the first goal, this way putting us in front, after a long time in the match. Unfortunately, the chasing to level the score in the second and third quarter had taken its toll on our team, who was unable to answer to the two goals received afterwards. In consequence, losing with a final score of 7-8.

However, this is not the end for our team in the SUWP tournament as we are still competing and hoping to win the trophy.

No need to mention that the support from everyone poolside was and is much appreciated!

Scorers:
5 - Panos Logothetis
1 - Will Logothetis
1 - Duncan Jenkins

Men's 1st vs Bath 2nd 14/11/2011

The second match in Southern University Water Polo (SUWP) tournament, after Exeter, for the Men’s 1st team took place past Sunday in the University’s Jubilee Sports Centre.

Our team managed to beat Bath’s second team quite easily thus coming one step closer in proceeding to the knock out phase of the tournament. One more game remains to be played on the group stages this coming Wednesday (16/11/2011).

During all quarters of the game our team had the upper hand, consequently scoring 21 goals and conceding only 3. The squad was organised and managed to put in action many of the drills learned in training either they were defending or attacking ones.

The first quarter of the game ended with 5 goals being scored by our team and non from the opposition.

The second quarter can be dubbed as the most spectacular of the match as the Soton boys scored 7 goals and conceded none.

On the second half of the game our team kept the scoring pace at a high level by scoring 5 and 4 goals on the third and fourth quarter respectively. However, due to some defending flaws and misfortunes the team suffered the scoring of three goals.

Once again we would like to thank everybody for being there and supporting us!

Scorers:
4 - Josh Rowland
4 - Panos Logothetis
3 - Will Logothetis
3 - Will Divall
2 - Duncan Jenkins
2 - Tom Redman
1 - Michael Stephanou
1 - Robbie Collison
1 - Owen Stephens

SUWPC attacking the shallow end.

Men's 2nd vs Southampton City B 13/11/2011

The first match of the year for the men’s 2nd team was a friendly against Southampton City B at home.

Fielding a side containing many players for whom this was their first match, the Uni team made a great start, winning the first quarter 1-0 courtesy of an impressive reverse-shot from Robbie Collison.
City B changed their tactics in the second quarter, and now ‘full-pressed’ whenever Uni were in possession. This enabled them to steal the ball and break on three separate occasions, earning them a 1-3 halftime lead.

Uni continued to play well into the second half of the match, but as fatigue started to kick in, several speculative passes were thrown, and City B continued to score from breakaways. Despite a third quarter goal from Will Griffiths, City B replied with 4 of their own, making the score 2-7.

The fourth and final quarter saw the Uni team really try to pick up the intensity, and the team was unlucky to score only 1 goal from several good chances. City B was not so unfortunate, and continued to make the most of their own opportunities, scoring 5.

The final score was 3-12 to City B, yet the score-line does not reflect how close the fixture was. With more match-time and having worked on a few key aspects of their game, this team has great potential for the rest of the year.

Scorers:
2 - Robbie Collison
1 - Will Griffiths

Top Shark:
Ben Atwell

Keep up to date with how the teams are doing in the Southern Universities Water Polo League!

Both 1st teams are playing in the first ever SUWP tournament this year. Teams from all over the South of England (and Wales!) are competing.

Click on the link (in the right hand column) to take you to the SUWP website where you can find results, tables, top scorers, top majors etcetc. The wins from both teams at Exeter have put Southampton in a great position but there are still 2 group games to go before the finals day. Check it out!

The next SUWP games are against Bath on Sunday 13th November. See you there!

Social life so far

This year the social aspect to SUWPC has started off with a bang, beginning with the traditional and unforgettable White T-Shirt at the start of the year:

White T-shirt social!

Since then, we’ve had a mix of fantastic nights with various themes and given new members a good opportunity to integrate into the club. Recently we completed our first club meal to the world famous Tariq Manzils in Portswood, we had an amazing turn out with over 45 people and enjoyed an amazing array of wonderful curry:

Manzils

SUWPC take over Manzils!

Over the next few weeks we’ve got some more outrageous plans in mind and are looking ahead and cracking on with organising the club’s Christmas Meal. 

Hopefully the success of the first few weeks will be emulated throughout the rest of the year, and attendance on nights out will remain high and the over-keenness of the Social Secs is taken on board! 

SUWPC love.