Below-par Brits slip to defeat in China
19 August 2011
The British Gas GBR Women’s Water Polo team slipped to defeat as they played their third match in four days at the World University Games in Shenzhen.
The British women have been involved in some thrilling matches so far in China, drawing with Canada before narrow defeats to China, Italy and USA.
And the drama looked to have taken its toll as the Brits put in a below-par performance in an 11-6 defeat by Australia.
The Aussies had the best of the opening encounters and put away three goals in the opening quarter compared to two from Great Britain’s Ciara Gibson-Byrne.
The Brits started the second quarter positively but couldn’t take advantage of some early possession and saw their opponents bounce back to put in another three goals for a 6-2 lead at half-time.
Captain Angie Winstanley-Smith led a third quarter comeback for the Brits as she scored early in the quarter before Lisa Gibson added a fourth goal.
But the aggressive Australian side wrestled back the initiative and scored twice more before Chloe Wilcox converted a penalty to ensure the Brits won the quarter.
Although Gibson-Byrne completed her hat-trick in the final quarter, there was to be no comeback as the Aussies closed out the match with another three goals.
Great Britain face France (20th August) and Mexico (22nd August) in their final two matches in China to decide seventh – ninth positions.
Australia 11 - 6 Great Britain
GB goalscorers: Ciara Gibson-Byrne (3), Angie Winstanley-Smith, Lisa Gibson, Chloe Wilcox
