POOL Pirates boosted their chances of finishing on top of the Ovens and Murray A grade men’s ladder by edging out Albury Tigers 7-5 at Albury Swim Centre on Sunday.
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In another thriller, Pirates had to fight every inch of the way with coach Matt O’Connell delighted to come away with the points.
“It was a good win,” O’Connell said.
“It was really goal for goal until the final couple of minutes.”
Danny Nugent was outstanding for Pool Pirates while goalkeeper Steve Sloan refused to wilt under intense pressure from Albury Tigers.
Nugent, O’Connell and Tom Hawkesworth scored two goals for the victors.
Jimmy Scannell and Jack Baker played well for Tigers.
It was an important victory for Pirates as it keeps them within striking distance of competition leader Sharks.
The minor premier has the advantage of advancing straight to the grand final.
Sharks dismantled Northside 18-2.
James O'Brien blitzed the opposition with five goals while in-form Ben Douglass chipped in with four in another polished display.
Taylor Miller and Brendan Dickie also made their presence felt in attack.
The young Northside line-up’s two goals came from Trent Remington and Callum Bruce.
In A grade women, Sharks edged out Albury Tigers 8-7 in a heated clash at WAVES.
Leah Dodd led the scoring with four goals while Phebe McLeod found the net on three occasions in one of her best matches of the season.
Kate Johnson was effective for Tigers who are yet to win a match this season.
Sharks, who went into the clash without Elyse Boyer, Brooke Dickie and Darcy Millett, are sitting in second spot on the ladder and take on ladder leader Pool Pirates Bones next weekend in the final round before the Christmas break.
In the remaining match, Pool Pirates Skulls caused a boilover by defeating Pool Pirates Bones.
Most teams were weakened over the weekend with a large contingent of players competing in the NSW State Junior Water Polo Championships in Sydney.
The Ovens and Murray’s under 16 boys took out the B division title in a fine team performance.
The girls grabbed a bronze medal.
The under-14 boys and girls are still playing with the girls finishing on top of their pool.
The championships will finish on Monday.
Meanwhile, the association will send four teams to the national championships in Brisbane in January where they will be pitted against the premier youngsters in the country.
