Vipers cruise to victory over Aztecs in round five of Hedland Waterpolo League at South Hedland Aquatic Centre

Former Olympian Victoria Bolzan has once again proved how good she is, scoring six goals to help Vipers cruise to an easy victory over Aztecs in round five of the Hedland Waterpolo League at South Hedland Aquatic Centre on Friday night. Aztecs never stood a chance against Vipers, who surged to a four-goal lead in the first quarter, before smashing home another three before half-time and holding the Aztecs goalless. The second half continued in the same vein, with Vipers managing to net another six goals while the Aztecs’ Kyarna Lee-Gowland was able to score her team’s only two goals for the game, 13-2. The second game of the evening saw Piranhas topple Orcas, thanks to a strong performance from Nellie Wilson and Elizabeth Macey. Piranhas were able to jump to an early lead with four goals in the first quarter, before the teams matched each other quarter for quarter for the rest of the game to see it end 10-6. In the men’s league, a tight battle between White Pointers and Black Stars saw players duke it out for glory. Black Stars were able to momentarily get the lead in the first quarter thanks to Regan Kubala and Daniel Lacey, who managed a goal apiece, while a Thomas Denney goal kept the Pointers in contention. White Pointers’ Brad Pawlenko woke up in the second quarter, netting a goal to bring his team equal before grabbing the lead with another two in the third quarter. Trailing by just a single goal, Daniel Lacey and Steve Smirke smelt blood in the water, and charged forward to try and snatch the win in the fourth. A goal from Lacey put the teams on level terms in the last few minutes. But neither team was able to get a leg-up, ending in a 4-4 draw. The second game of the men’s league was another close game with White Pointers facing Dragons. Perhaps a little tired after their first game of the evening, the Pointers struggled in the first quarter, allowing a Kai Mitchell goal to give Dragons the early lead. Another Brad Pawlenko and Tom Denney masterclass in the second quarter saw the Pointers close the gap after a Declan Rahman goal, with scores equal at 2-2 heading into half-time. The second half continued in the same fashion as the first, with both teams struggling to score. Just a single goal for both teams in the third set up a thrilling final quarter, with Nathan Groch and Kai Mitchell able to net two goals to finish the game with a Dragons win, 5-4.