Last gasp Brewer goal proves the winner

Event: Pre-season Friendly
Teams: Swindon Dolphin v Bristol Harlequins
Venue: Milton Road, Swindon
Date: 17th February 2013

Swindon Dolphin continued their preparation for their 2013 Bristol & West Divison 1 campaign with an exciting 10 – 9 victory in their second pre-season fixture against Bristol Harlequins.  In a game where the lead changed hand throughout, Dolphin once again showed their resilience with a magnificent late effort that saw Ian Brewer grab the winner with just seconds remaining.

Dolphin made an impressive start and raced into a 3-0 lead with Michal Trzeciak and Matt James both on the mark before a first senior goal from Dan Dixon.  Harlequins came back strongly though and finished the quarter trailing by one.  Honours were even in the second quarter and two Quinlivan goals ensured Dolphin held a 5 – 4 advantage at the half way mark.

The lead was short lived as Harlequins hit back.  Three unanswered goals gave the Bristol side a 7 – 5 lead before captain Andy Hicks reduced the arrears just before the end of the third quarter.  The game then really came to life in the final period when early goals from Mark Lawlor and Ian Brewer briefly restored Dolphin’s lead before Harlequins again netted twice to regain a one goal advantage.  With just two minutes remaining captain Hicks tied the score and set up a frantic end to the game which saw both sides miss good chances before Dolphin called a timeout with 30 seconds remaining.  From the restart Dolphin launched the attack that saw Brewer score the decisive goal.

This was another good victory for Dolphin and another chance to give all of the squad plenty of game time.  It was also a great advertisement for water polo and, encouragingly, an early sign that this is a team that never knows when it is beaten.

Team: David Quinlivan (2 Goals), Andy Hicks (2 goals, 2 majors), Will Smith, Andy Strong (3 majors), Dan Dixon (1 goal, 1 major), Ian Brewer (2 goals), Matt James (1 goal, 1 major), Mark Lawlor (1 goal), Michal Trzeciak (1 goal, 1 major), Fraser Durston

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