ENGLAND EDGE CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH KIWIS

January 24. ENGLAND emerged 8-7 victors over New Zealand on day four of the Commonwealth Water Polo Championships in Perth to continue the men's impressive results and grab third spot in the table from the Kiwis.

The young English squad built on the previous day's exciting action, when they were narrowly beaten by Champions Canada 6-5, and this time edged the New Zealand side by a single goal.

The Kiwis started slowly and their coach, annoyed with the performance, gained a yellow card early and then a red card when he allegedly wasted time with his substitutions two minutes before the end.

England finished the match strongly and top scorer was Lancaster's Thomas Curwen with a brace.

The women's match between England and New Zealand also proved to be a classic with the Kiwis leaving it late to pull away for an 8-5 victory.

Buoyed by yesterday's close encounter with World Championship bronze medallists Canada, which the Maple Leafs eventually won 11-8, England showed real purpose once again to push the Kiwis all of the way.

New Zealand led 2-1 at the quarter while the sides were tied 2-2 at halftime. The Kiwis held a 4-3 edge after the third period and went 5-3 ahead before England struck back to level the game. The Southern Hemisphere side pulled away at the end to win 8-5.

The Aussie Sharks men demolished Wales 24-0 and the women crushed Scotland 32-0, one goal short of the Commonwealth record.

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