Men vs Surrey - 13/10/2022 (A)

BLWP 3 - 17 Surrey

The day was finally upon us, a day every man dreams of; the start of a new waterpolo

season. With Surrey making the long way to fortress poplar things looked bright, the

recruitment for the year had been strong and optimism was rife. What followed is rivalled

the infamous North London Derby lasagna-gate as freshers flu caused chaos and numbers

dropped. Facing an uphill battle, a vastly outnumbered 8 brave men of Barts arrived to face

a herculean task and follow Gerard Butler and the 300 into immortality looking to overcome

both a strong looking Surrey side and alcohol-induced weakening of the immune system.

Things started brightly for Barts with tadpoles Cole and Christian forming a formidable

partnership and Barts seeing good spells of possession. Despite an inexperienced

goalkeeper in the form of Barney between the sticks Surrey were largely held at bay.

Tadpole Cole carried his electric form from last season forward into this one grabbing an

early goal while newly appointed Men’s Captain tadpole Noah demonstrated that with

additional responsibility does not necessarily come additional sense as he duly continued

where he left off last season picking up both the first major of the game and season. As the

second quarter began, Surrey began to make their numerical advantage count and started

to build a bit more of a lead. On the wings tadpoles Alfie and Paddy swam their heart out

driving fear into even the most hardened Surrey players with probing swims down the wing

and aggressive press defence. It was in such panic that not one but two Surrey players

decided they couldn’t hack it anymore and the only option was to get themselves both

majors so they could rest and seek therapy from the onslaught they were facing yet

somehow Barts couldn’t capitalise. A second goal for talismanic American Cole wrapped up

the half from a Barts perspective but gave us something to fight for.

Second half, fatigue really started to kick in but the men of Barts showed they would not be

stopped as they continued to fight through injuries and cramps. Indeed Barney managed to

overcome his own blood sugar levels performing medical miracles to continue to keep

Surrey out in the face of a hypoglycaemic incident, cementing his status as one to watch in

goalkeeping circles. Surrey kept scoring but incredible efforts from tadpole Cole and tadpole

Christian in driver alongside Chundy Shark and Seahare, alternating between Pit and the

wings, showed they still had plenty of fight left in them as they continued to harass and

challenge Surrey players with the kind of stamina N’Golo Kante could only dream of.

Christian got on the score sheet on debut with a very well taken goal but that was largely

the only bright spot in a second half where Surrey used their greater squad depth to their

advantage and in the end despite the valiant efforts of the boys in white came out clear

winner.

Nonetheless, unbelievable fight shown by all and I’m incredibly proud to have made my

captaincy debut beside you all