LUSL London vs ICSM 2s (H) - 29/01/2024

A very short match report for what I can only describe as the messiest game of water polo to ever be played. Never in my life have I witnessed a scrappier, more uncoordinated, and rapacious display of sports. However, you have to see the good in all things.

On 29.01.24, LUSL London welcomed three new players to our ranks, Josie, Akanimo, and Max, all making their debuts for us at Poplar. After some last minute player drop outs (cough cough Cole), the 12 of us were ready to face ICSM 2s.

I forgot to do the countdown and The London shout so that probably was why the game ended up the way it did. But regardless we were off and Max stole the show within the first 20 seconds. He scored two in this quarter and beautifully intercepted many passes to counter. Abi and Annie were swimming up and down on the wing, of course faster than their players. Abi had many many many opportunities to shoot if she just swam like a metre closer to the goal when she was so free. This quarter was fine I think. 2 - 1 to The London.

Second quarter was still a normal-ish game, we had a team talk of strategy: they only had four girls so our plan was to outswim and tire them out. We needed to create more space and help Harry out. Starting 7 lined up and did the same thing over again. This time Josie scored an incredible goal. Smaragda and Eira got stuck in and played with max effort. Tom also put in a massive shift on the wing. 3 - 4.

Now this is when everything went upside down. Josie got involved in ruckus after ruckus after ruckus. She was really enjoying the deep end of Poplar, so much so that she spent most of this quarter submerged under water. She became close friends with no.10 who was assisting her with attempting to hold her breath for as long as possible. A brief exchange with the ref (not sure if I can write it word for word) but something along the lines of “Why the **** are you all drowning me!??????!!!!!!!!!”. He just stood on the side and laughed? Anyway, Josie answered her own question with the most phenomenal goal. Max also scored in this quarter.

Fourth quarter and I think we were all ready to go home. Rory told us he had pit D covered and would not let a single goal past him. He was right. Akanimo and Brandon did not let their girls out of their sights, really sticking tight to them, preventing at least 5 shots from even nearing the goal. The game ended 5 - 9 to ICSM 2s and I had never been happier to see Poplars changing rooms.

Good night xxx

Player of the match: Josie (I don’t even need to explain why)

Goals:

  • Max - 3

  • Josie - 2