THE Okehampton Water Polo Club mixed team recently played their first away fixture against a similar Bodmin Water Polo Club. Unused to the wider and shallower Bodmin swimming pool Okehampton found the first quarter a struggle as they gave away easy fouls and Bodmin outflanked them with their speedy swimmers. Despite ending the quarter 5-1 down and looking nearly dead and buried, Okehampton had shown some promise and the solitary goal from Joe Rice?s deft touch gave them the lifeline they desperately needed to stay in the match. The second quarter saw a transformation in the Okehampton side as they realised the potential of their wings. The team adapted their play to the wider pool and the number of fouls committed fell dramatically as the team instilled some much needed discipline in themselves. With Carolyn McNeill, Matt Wise and Joe Rice, in the centre and on the left and right sides respectively, Okehampton showed they had some real pace and attack up the middle of the pitch and down the flanks. By the end of the quarter Okehampton players Joe Rice, Mark Halliday and Dave Rogers had scored 3 good goals and the quarter ended 8-4 to Bodmin. With their new found confidence Okehampton started the third quarter in a jubilant spirit. This was by far the most impressive quarter of play for Okehampton. The team?s excellent defensive tactics were opitimized by Rob Ewen?s incredible whipkick move, that made him rise out of the water, as far as his knees, to pick out of the sky a Bodmin long pass. On the attack the team linked well with each other, used the forward and midfield players to devastating effect and finished the quarter with three unanswered scores, from Chris Rogers, Richard Corkill and Paul Biddle. With Okehampton playing well and only 8-7 behind, the game was far from over at the start of the fourth quarter. The atmosphere in the assembled crowd was tense as a resurgent Okehampton played their hearts out with fast wing attacks that led to goals for Dave Rogers and Mark Halliday. Okehampton were desperate to win their first away match, however Bodmin were just as determined and they raised their game up another gear. Okehampton played gallantly and managed to put together a great cross pitch set piece that led to the first goal of the quarter. As the minutes on the clock dwindled Bodmin?s defencse disrupted the Okehampton attacking plays just enough to stop the score, whilst Bodmin pushed their best shooters upfront to secure the win. In the last minute of time Bodmin forward Teague showed Okehampton how to play Water Polo with a lob over the Okehampton goalie from half way. At the end of play Bodmin had beaten Okehampton 11-9. With forthcoming matches against Newquay Ladies on the August 7 and an exhibition match again against Bodmin at Fowey Regatta on the August 19, Okehampton WPC has an exciting few weeks ahead. The club is looking to recruit new members to this energetic and fast paced sport. The game is open to all and the club is actively looking to expand the youth teams. OWPC train every Sunday 6-7pm at Parklands Leisure Centre.
