A tribute to the heroes of the University of Bath Water Polo Men's II team:
After a ferocious Women's match (in which they beasted Gloucester 10-5) the bar had been set for what was looking to be the second team game of the century. Spirits were high, banners flying in the wind and the 'oh when the saints' harmonica gloriously singing it's song over the megaphone! The pressure was on.
A heart felt team talk by the Joffy Heib sets the scene: The battleground - our pool. The challenge - rise closer to the gods than the second team has ever risen before. And oh boy did they rise to the challenge...
Before I knew what was happening,THERE I WAS stood on poolside, sweaty palms, heart pounding in my chest, starting seven in the water and we were ready to go?
*TOOOOOOOOOOT* (That was the whistle by the way)
James Cowburn instantly flies off the line - the power of his legs causing a small tsunami, propelling him forward to easily swipe the ball away from the clutches of Gloucester. A promising start. Setting up a nicely shaped arc, the lads are soon interrupted by a wonderful man-up situation, but 20 seconds goes by and no shot has been taken. B13 comes back into the pool and we are EVENS but oh no, wait he didn't listen to Mike Coles (ref) (Lesson #1 - always listen to Mike Coles!) and we were back on a man-up. Unfortunately we were unable to hold the ball and a quick counter from Gloucester sees us 0-1 down. Not to be disheartened, we quickly set back up again and prepped for another strike. A whole 2 minutes passes, both teams battling for the ball - until Gloucester pounce on top with a goal: 0-2. Oh no. Ever the warriors, we battle on and wait until Gloucester drop their guard Mr Elliot Potter cross drives across the pit, collects the ball and shoots: GOAL. The crowd goes wild!!!! *Insert Siren here* On a roll, we quickly steal the ball from the grasp of the opposition and smash the counter - we pick up the ball and are very rudely fouled by Mr Hill of Gloucester. Outrageous. This does however mean we have a penalty shot on goal. A penalty that would even the scores. Everyone is prepped, Mr Coles blows the whistle and the Heib, almost in slow motion like something out of a Hollywood film launches the ball into the corner of the goal 2-2! End of quarter.
After a quick H2O break we were ready to go for round 2.
Unsurprisingly, James 'the legs' Cowburn wins the ball again and we spend an agonising 4 minutes participating in what seemed like an endurance swim. Not much excitement, lots of minor fouls, but then B10 is excluded. A tactical time-out is called, in order for us to refuel and get some fresh legs into the pool. 45 seconds passes and we set up: some beautiful hand-to-hand passing and then *TOOT TOOT TOOT*, we are 2 men-up: we have to score now, the pressure is on - in the best man-up scenario I have seen this team perform, the ball flies beautifully from player to player, hand to hand and lands in the secure arm of Joffy and pinged straight into the corner: 3-2! We have re-found our mojo and Gloucester are now on the back foot, fighting off relentless attacks from the superior side. After another failed Gloucester attack (stumped by the glorious keeping skills of our champion in goal - Loic) we regroup and stalk the opposition like orcas around a seal. A few magnificent drives (I have to say we made it look like a set piece) left the ball on the wing, and a wide open pit. The ball was beautifully placed on the water in front of the 'King in the North' James Holter. Gloucester swarm into the pit, but not quickly enough? HE JUMPS, HE TURNS, HE SHOOTS, and HE SCORES!!!! WHAT A MAGNIFICENT GOAL!!!? HOLTER - IN PIT!!! Just WOW - speechless. 4-2 end of the half.
After another short interval we were ready for the off. Intimidated by our strength and speed, Gloucester didn't even look like they were trying to win the swim off - To be honest, probably for the best as they'd have lost it anyways. A heart wrenching few minutes sees an un-converted man-up by both teams, before Elliot nurses his second goal home. 5-2. Some brilliant PD work sees Joffy excluded and Mr Gloucester Coach calls his first time out. Raring to go, play begins again and a solid full press gives the opposition no breathing space and forces a poor lob from the top of the arc, easily brought under control by Safehands Loic. Determined to make up for his recent exclusion Joffy scores his third goal of the game (a brilliant lob), a minute later bringing the score to 6-2. Gathering momentum, and cheered on by the fearsome support we steal the ball, counter and find ourselves with a 3 on 2 situation. Ali Bacon drives into the open space, receives a cracking pass, catching it across the body and smashes it straight into the goal. BOOM! 5-2. With testosterone flying high, Ali Inverarity angers Mike and takes a 20 second exclusion. Another solid defence sees the ball in Loic's hands and distributed nicely to the incoming swimmer. It's the big man's time to shine now. Making all the right noises (sounded rather arousing actually), Will Simpson dominates the pit defender, neatly controls the ball and bangs it straight into the net with a second to spare in the quarter. No sweat. 8-2 end of quarter.
The end was in sight going into the final quarter, and we were psyched to become the greatest second team there ever was? but it was not over yet. 7 minutes of hard work stood between us and glory, fame and fortune. As per, Cowburn fired off the line and aimed for the centre of the pool. We gave gloucester a small sign of hope when they won the swim off, but it was easy enough to steal the ball back and bring it under our control. No further goals were scored in this quarter but major respect goes to every player, who successfully defended against 5 man downs, especially HEROIC LOIC who made some saves that Hugo Lloris would be proud of. A solid effort.
The final whistle blows and poolside erupts into cheers. We did it.
Final Result: Bath II 8 - 2 Gloucestershire
Awards:
Man of the Match - HEROIC LOIC - *sings french national anthem*
Goal of the Match - THE KING IN THE NORTH - James Holter
On a more personal note (this is going to sound so soppy - but I don't care) each and every one of you has done yourselves proud. An amazing team effort. THE GREATEST second team that Bath Waterpolo has ever seen:
01 Loïc Perroud
02 James Cowburn
03 William Simpson
04 James Holter
05 Ben Price
06 Harry Ashworth
07 Ali Inverarity
08 Ali Bacon
09 Adam Davitt
10 Elliot Potter
11 Alex Goodall
12 Joffy Heib
13 Ryan Sansom
On behalf of the champions above, I would like to thank the dedicated ladies that produced a beautifully neat match sheet, and everyone who came down and whooped, chanted and cheered for the guys - you really made a difference so thank you! An incredible atmosphere and an amazing day!