Frome Water Polo Club

08/05/08 Frome Vs Exeter

This was always going to be a hard game as the opponents hadn’t lost a single game all season, we however did have the home advantage and went into the match full of confidence. Everyone was on poolside ready at 8.45 and the suggestion of 4 x 100 meter swims from the coach was met with looks of disgust, however after a watered down version of the warm up, we were ready! The game started well, with an excellent early goal from Paul Vowel, Exeter responded straight away with a shot just creeping past the hands of Andy Perry in goal, we then took the lead after a superb lookaway pass from Gareth into hole which was executed from Brad in the pit, the first quarter ended 3 a piece. Exeter turned up the pressure taking a lead in the middle part of the game, we fought hard and with some very tight defensive play we kept them within one or two goals. The third quarter started good with a cracking goal from James Godwin from his new and improved body position. J We were unlucky to concede 3 penalties throughout the game but fortunately Exeter couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo and didn’t score one. After a couple of disallowed goals the game could have gone either way but with some rock solid defence in the dying minutes of the game to draw 8 all, we should be happy with the league point. Good performance from all players.

Brad 3, Paul 2, Chris 1, Damo 1, James 1

17/06/08 Frome 12 Harlequins 7

Frome travelled into the depths of Bristol on a Tuesday night to play the first of the two games this season against the Bristol based team Harlequins. The game was held at the Kingswood pool, unknown territory to the travellers having never played there before.

Frome were confident of a win but were forced to start the game without the first team Goalie and team captain Andy Perry, during the pre match talk Tim Wise stepped up and volunteered to start the game for us in goal, unfortunately though “Sharp shooter” Gareth Spicer injured him during the warm up, leaving a much reluctant, but capable Kevin Lee to take his place.

The game started well with Paul Vowel winning the swim of for the ball and the game was underway. Frome scored the first goal, however Harlequins were very quick to respond and scored also. Frome were given a man up opportunity but Fraser Tompson was unlucky to miss, shooting just wide of the post. The first quarter ended with Frome 2 goals in the lead.

Frome’s captain had arrived just in time for the start of the second quarter replacing Kevin in goal. Frome dominated most of this quarter scouring some good goals, Junior team members Dan Brown and Mike Lockyer showed there worth as there high energy and fitness levels was used to try and wear down the home team.

In the third quarter Frome’s defensive skills were tested as Harlequins threw everything they had at us, shots were flying in from all angles, our training however was paying off as they only managed to score one goal in this period.

Going into the final period Frome had a strong lead, and with some good counter attack goals from Paul Vowel and a superb man up goal from Gareth Spicer it was all over for the Bristol team.

Paul 5, Gareth 3, Brad 3, Damien 1

03/07/08 Harlequins v Frome

After a recent close away match to the Bristol team, Frome knew this was going to be a tough match even more so as we were down on a few of our 1st team members, as Alan Poole was getting rained on in the south coast of Devon, Kev Lee had a doctors note, and Gareth Spicer having to wear the white trousers on the night.

The game started well for Frome scoring the first couple of goals, however Harlequins came back with there pitman getting the better of our defender. Frome were given some golden opportunities with a couple of man ups and even managed to score one. Paul Vowel was on top form once again scoring 4 goals and so was Chris Hodges who managed to net 3. Man of the match goes to Dan Brown for scoring 2 top goals under pressure, but the hero on the night was Gareth Spicer who stepped in at last minute to referee.

Paul 4, Chris H 3, Brad 2, Dan Brown 2

Junior Games by G.Spicer

Last Sunday a combined junior waterpolo team from Bradford and Frome made the arduous trip to Cheltenham to play their opening game in the newly formed Bristol and and West league junior division.

It was always going to be a tough fixture as the joint Wiltshire and Somerset squad members had limited match experience between them and they were up against a team that had already won their first four games of the season very comfortably.

Despite this the visistors made a positive start looking to keep possession of the ball in attack and cover Cheltenham's breaks. Hamish McNal made some fine saves in goal and Sam Penny enjoyed some success when marking the homeside's giant centre forward. The rest of the team tried hard to defend but found it very difficult as Cheltenham were that much more experienced in attack. At the end of the first quarter the homeside were 6 goals to nil up.

In the second period Cheltenhan scored another 6 goals while Bradford and Frome found it impossible to find the back of the net, primarily because they struggled to get to grips with their passing. It was a harsh scoreline however as Stephen Mathews, Tom Coombs and Eleanor McNal in particular worked tirelessly in attack and defence.

Andy Coombs, the assistant coach, then delivered some pearls of wisdom during the short interval and the visitors found a renewed drive and resilience. Dan Brown, Cameron Miller, James Blanksby and Stephen Mathews all went close but failed to beat the keeper. Eventually Blanksby found Brown, who then scored with an audacious lob. The crowd cheered and smiles beamed throughout the team. Shortly afterwards, Brown scored again with another inch perfect lob. Cheltenham were not to be undone and responded by scoring a further 10 goals themselves.

Bradford and Frome won the last quarter and quite deservedly so. The marking was tighter and the passes more accurate. Robin Liquorice and Tom Coombes both nearly opened their goal scoring account but were denied by the Cheltenham goalie. Blanksby went into goal for the visitors and used his talents to keep the homeside at bay. H McNal then came out on to the pitch and gave everything to protect the ball. Miller stuck to his man and tackled very well, as did Mathews. However it was Brown who stole the show with three more stunning goals, all of which were well worthy of his senior coach at Frome and former neighbour, Brad Poole.

Overall Cheltenham won the game comfortably but with every minute that passed the combined talents of Bradford and Frome learned more about the game and what they need to do in the future in order to be successful, which is ultimately what this league is all about. Coach, Gareth Spicer was very proud of each and every member of the squad as they all improved considerably. They can look forward to their next game against Bristol Harlequins with confidence. He would also like to thank all the parents for their support which proved so valuable in the end.

Bristol Harlequin juniors 16  Bradford and Frome juniors 10

Last Tuesday the combined talents of Bradford and Frome's junior waterpolo teams ventured into Bristol to play their second game in the Bristol and and West league junior division.

After the harsh realities learned from their opening game against Cheltenham, all the squad members performed incredibly well, so much so that they were unrecognisable at times from the team that played only the week before. 

Despite going two goals down early on, Bradford/Frome were resilient enough to score three exquisite goals of their own through James Blanksby and captain, Dan Brown. Their finishing in front of goal was very clever but it was the build up play from the impressive Tom Coombs and Sam Penny that created these chances. Unfortunately the home side scored twice more and led at the end of the first quarter 4 - 3.

The visitors then bounced back in the second period with another from Blanksby, two rockets from Coombs and a well deserved arrow like finish from the emerging talents of Stephen Mathews. It was exactly what the team deserved after all the hard work defensively that they had put in. Both Eleanor Milner and Penny were especially good in defence as they looked to steal the ball on a number of occasions. By half time it was a 7 all draw as Bradford/Frome had scored 4 while Harlequins had converted 3.

The third quarter proved to be particularly difficult as Blanksby, who had up until this point played a significant part in attack, was dismissed for the remainder of the game. Despite this Milner, Coombs and Penny all rose to the occasion and came close to scoring. Brown eventually won and converted a penalty after good work from debutant Max Thompson up front. At this point goal keeper and man of the match, Cameron Miller, was called upon to make a number of outstanding saves. His shot stopping and distribution of the ball were both superb. There were occasions however when he was unable to keep Harlequins out as they added another 6 to their tally.

In the final quarter Bradford/Frome kept going and fellow debutant Patrick got to see lots of the ball. Both Mathews and Brown added one more each, the former taking his goal well under pressure.

The final score was very encouraging particularly as Harlequins fielded players a year older than many of the visitors. Some of the play was very attractive to watch and both coaches Lou Betts and Gareth Spicer reflected afterwards that in several ways it was as good, if not better, as their senior colleagues.  

Bradford/Frome 6  Cheltenham 22

A fortnight ago these two teams met for the first time in the Bristol and West junior league and Cheltenham dominated almost throughout. On this occasion though, despite what the scoreline may suggest, Bradford/Frome juniors created far more opportunities and played a much bigger part in the game.

The defending throughout was much better from the homeside when Cheltenham advanced as a unit. James Godwin, Sam Penny and Tom Coombs worked hard to try and steal the ball. Stephen Mathews and Leah Coombs both got tight on their players and forced the visitors into rushed passes.

It was when Bradford/Frome were in possession of the ball that they found themselves in trouble. As they tried to force passes forward Cheltenham quickly stole the ball and went through to score on the counter attack leaving the goal keepers Cameron Miller and James Blanksby with little chance of making a save. 

There was some good attacking play, especially from Leah Coombs, Dan Brown, Blanksby and Godwin who all made simple yet effective passes and kept showing for the ball giving their team mates an outlet for a pass. More often than not such play resulted in a goal scoring opportunity.    

The scoreline for the home team could have been greater with more accuracy infront of goal. Mike Lockyer, T Coombs and Mathews all went close. Cheltenham conceded two penalties but neither was successfully converted. Eleanor Milner, Robin Liquorice and Max Thompson all made important contributions to the game, finding space to get involved and play the ball forward.

It was a good game of waterpolo and was in stark contrast to the performance of two weeks ago. This junior team is making good progress with each game and should be proud of themselves, particularly the way in which they competed throughout.

Scorers: D Brown (Capt) - 4 and J Godwin - 2. 

Bradford/Frome juniors 13  Bristol Central juniors 6

Congratulations to Bradford and Frome's combined junior waterpolo team as they took their first points of the season in a well deserved victory against Bristol Central. 

At the back, James Godwin, Max Thompson, Sam Penny, Stephen Mathews and Robin Liqourice all worked hard to get into good defensive positions and break up Bristol's play.

James Blanksby, Tom Coombs and Cameron Miller all did very well in goal and made some excellent stops between them. Blanksby, did especially well as he saved a Bristol penalty.

When in possession of the ball, Bradford/Frome looked more comfortable than in the past as they successfully pushed forward as a unit and found gaps in the visitors' defence. Mike Lockyer and Dan Brown were particularly good at shielding the ball and picking out their team mates while debutants, Kirsty Wheeler and Lloyd Penny, grew in confidence as the game went on.

Brown, Godwin, the lively Mathews, S Penny, Coombs, Lockyer and Liqourice all got on the score sheet with some very well taken goals.