Nippers Cup

Marlborough Water Polo Club sent three teams over to Lower Hutt last weekend to compete in the 2017 Nippers Cup tournament. Games were spread over three days, two pools and Marlborough games were streamed LIVE on Facebook. Just click on the blue buttons to watch or head over our Facebook page.

Marlborough's first game of the tournament was Friday evening with the Under 12 mixed team facing off against Hutt Blaze, winning 5 - 3. Over at the Huia pool our U14 Girls team beat Harbour City 6 - 4. This game was followed by our U4 Boys taking on PNBHS (Palmerston North Boys High School) in the final game of the opening day, losing 15 - 5.

The first game on Saturday was our U12 team playing against Maranui. Marlborough came out firing in the first half coming to a score of 5 - 0. Marlborough continued their dominance in the water with a final score of 8 - 0. 

U12 v Maranui 1st Half

U12 v maranui 2nd half

The U14 Boys team versed a strong Maranui side and came up short with the final score being 12 - 5. However our U14 Girls team continued their winning streak, this time beating Hutt 17 - 3. The U14 Boys side struggled with playing another game only a few hours later against Hutt (who would become the age group winners) with a score of 0 - 10. The U12 team also hit a roadblock when coming up against the Hutt side in their pool, losing the game 1 - 10.  

When the girls got back in the water they fought it out against Maranui. The half time score was 2 -3 to Maranui and Marlborough struggled to pull it back, the final score was 5 - 6 to Maranui.

U14 Girls v Maranui full game

Our last game on Saturday was an absolute thriller with our U14 Boys squaring off with the Harbour City Hawks. With the scores level at half time it was going to be a tough fight to keep the energy up. The game slipped away with the final score being 8 - 11.

U14 Boys v Harbour City Full Game

Sunday was finals day and first up was our U12 team who were up against our South Island mates Canterbury. The first half saw a score of 3 - 5 to Canterbury and both teams failed to score any goals in the second half leaving the full time score 3 - 5.

U12 v Canterbury 1st half

U12 v canterbury 2nd half

This game was followed by one of the most exciting moments for Marlborough in the 2017 Nippers Cup which was when our U14 Boys turned around and beat the Harbour City Hawks, a replay of the game the evening before which Harbour won. Marlborough came to the party and created a strong lead in the final quarter with the final score being 10 - 7 to Marlborough.

U14 Boys v Harbour City Hawks

Fast-forward to the U14 Girls final, between Marlborough and Maranui. It was a great game to watch (you can re-live the whole game by clicking below). The game started out as a close battle but Maranui got away from the Marlborough girls who came away with the silver medal. It was a great performance from all players!

Teams Announcement

Game

Medal presentation

Overall, everybody enjoyed themselves at the tournament and all players improved over the weekend. Photos to come soon.