Brits end World University Games on a high note
22 August 2011
The British Gas GBR Women’s Water Polo team ended their World University Games campaign on a high note, demolishing Mexico to finish seventh overall in Shenzhen.
Chloe Wilcox scored four while there were hat-tricks for captain Angie Winstanley-Smith, Rebecca Kershaw and Ciara Gibson-Byrne in a 15-3 victory.
Combined with their defeat of France from two days ago, the result means the British women finished seventh overall in China, taking particular credit from their performances against World Championship silver medallists and eventual champions China as well as runners-up USA.
The Brits will also be encouraged from their positive finish to the week in China with a Four Nation Invitational in Manchester next up from 16 - 18 September before they look to seal European Championship qualification against Ukraine a week later.
In no mood to hang around against the Mexicans, the Brits dominated the opening quarter with two goals each from Gibson-Byrne, Wilcox, Kershaw and a solitary strike from Rachel Drabble handing them a 7-2 lead.
The powerful British defence never looked in danger of conceding in the second quarter while Winstanley-Smith and Wilcox converted man-up opportunities well and Kershaw scored a penalty for her hat-trick.
Winstanley-Smith led from the front in the third quarter, scoring two impressive goals with Frankie Snell adding a penalty and goalkeeper Robyn Nicholls restricting the Mexicans to just one in reply.
Another shutout followed in the final quarter with Wilcox and Gibson-Byrne completing the rout and Nicholls saving a Mexican penalty.
The British Gas GBR Women's Water Polo team return to home shores to prepare for their Four National Invitational and European Championship qualifier in Manchester.
Great Britain 15 - 3 Mexico
GB goalscorers: Chloe Wilcox (4), Ciara Gibson-Byrne (3), Angie Winstanley-Smith (3), Rebecca Kershaw (3), Frankie Snell, Rachel Drabble
