Otago Canoe and Kayak Club

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Canoe Polo Finals 2001
Another season of Canoe Polo has drawn to a close and what a season it has been. With the completion of the round robins, the top 4 teams in each grade went through to the play-offs. Only 2 teams, of course, got through to the Finals, which using the same formula as last year, were all played on one Grand Finals night. That was on Monday 3^rd September and the Prize Giving was on the following night. The Finals again produced a fine display of Canoe Polo by each grade and some very exciting and closely fought games with the lead changing in all 3 games at least once.
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The C Grade final was between Bayfield High School and St Clair’s Storm from the Surf Life Saving Club.
This game saw St Clair’s Storm ahead at half time by 4 goals to 2. St Clair looked to be continuing their seasons form by rolling all before them. .
In the second half though, Bayfield kept their nerve and played as a team a team to win by 7 goals to 6 with the winning gaol coming in the last few seconds. .
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The B Grade Final was between White Wash and 187. White Wash must have been the favourites going into the finals having lead at the end of the round robins. .
At the end of the first quarter White Wash looked to have every thing sewn up leading by 6 goals to 3. .
The second quarter saw 187 pull back 1 goal and by the end of the third quarter the score was all square at 7 all with every thing to play for. .
The crowd, at this stage, were starting to get behind 187 as they sensed an upset. The final quarter saw 187 put a further 2 gaols away to win 9 goals to 7. .
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The A Grade final was between the two leading teams at the end of the round robins, Cold Feet and Jus Bellum. Jus Bellum were the first to score but Cold Feet had taken the lead at the end of the first quarter 2 goals to 1. The next quarter saw each team matching the other with a further 3 goals apiece and Cold feet holding the lead 5 to 4. .
The third quarter saw Jus Bellum start to put the pressure on and take the lead by 8 to 7. In the final quarter Jus Bellum put that bit more pressure on as Cold Feet and lacking a reserve player stared to tire, with Jus Bellum deserved winner by 11 goals to 8.
One of our unflapable refs	Steve warms up
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The prize giving was the usual affair of pizzas, wedges and garlic bread eaten by the large flock of attendant gannets. This was followed by a few words by my-self, the presentation of trophies and lastly (just to make sure no one went home early) the spot prizes, kindly donated by R&R Sport.Thanks for a memorable . Rob English
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Last changed: 09/10/2000, 02:43:47