THE new-look Water Polo WA Women’s Premier League got underway on Saturday with wins for the Melville Marlins and Applecross in the Fremantle Conference, and Triton in the UWA Conference.

The 2017-18 Premier League began on Saturday with the first of 16 rounds for the season with the seven teams in the women’s competition split up into the two conferences.

The four teams in the Fremantle Conference played off in the opening round at Bicton Pool with the defending premier Melville Marlins defeating Dolphins 8-4 with Applecross also prevailing 8-7 against the North Coast Phoenix.

Then in the one UWA Conference match up at HBF Stadium on Saturday, Triton defeated the UWA City Beach Blues 3-1. The UWA City Beach Bears had the bye.

Starting with the Fremantle Conference match ups, the season got underway at Bicton Pool with the defending premier Melville Marlins facing the Dolphins.

A penalty inside the first 18 seconds to Erin Redbond gave Melville the perfect start but that would be the only score of the opening period.

It wasn’t until just over a minute into the second quarter that the Marlins scored again and once more it was thanks to Redbond. She added a third goal with four minutes left in the half before Dolphins got on the board thanks to Nicole Wallace.

Just 19 seconds into the second and Melville opened a 4-1 advantage when Redbond scored once again. Dolphins responded through Rachel Lagdon before the Marlins moved to a 5-2 lead with a goal to Chloe Nella. Dolphins kept fighting, though, and scored a third goal just before three quarter-time from Wallace.

The game went up another notch early in the fourth when Dolphins got back within a goal when Alkira Remaj found the net. But Melville responded with goals to Redbond, Olivia Simes and Luci Marsh to end up winning 8-4.

Erin Redbond was the star for Melville scoring five goals while Nicole Wallace scored twice for Dolphins.

In the end, Redbond received the three votes, Lillian Hedges from Dolphins two and Chloe Nella of Melville the one.

Then also at Bicton Pool in the Fremantle Conference, the Melville-linked Applecross team took on the North Coast Phoenix in what turned out a tremendous contest.

The Phoenix started brightly with the opening two goals of the game courtesy of Claire Pierce and Georgie Powers. But Applecross hit back with the next two thanks to Sofia Chaves and Kelly Parks.

North Coast had the last say of the opening quarter, though, with a third goal to Zoe Stenhouse to lead 3-2.

Applecross drew level to start the second period when Bronte Barber found the inside of the goals. They then took the lead for the first time of the game and went into half-time up 5-3 following scores to Parks and Sarah Leavy.

The Phoenix wouldn’t go away, though, and started the second half promisingly with the opening two goals to Pierce and Stenhouse to draw level. They then regained a 6-5 lead with a goal to Alicia Anderson before Applecross again levelled things courtesy of Chaves.

North Coast regained the lead with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter with a goal to Gemma Hadley. But Applecross answered with the final two goals of the contest both from Leavy in the final 50 seconds to secure the thrilling 8-7 win. The last goal came with three seconds left on the clock.

Sarah Leavy scored three goals for Applecross, Sofia Chaves two and Kelly Parks two. Zoe Stenhouse and Claire Pierce scored twice each for North Coast.

Stenhouse was given the three votes, Chaves two and Pierce the one.

Then in the UWA Conference, Triton took on the UWA City Beach Blues at HBF Stadium.

Triton started strongly with the opening goal with just over a minute left in the first quarter courtesy of Sam Shead. UWA City Beach drew level just before half-time when Pippa Pedley scored with the advantage of an extra man.

Then with 52 seconds left before three quarter-time, Triton went up 2-1 when Jamie Oberman got it past Blues goalkeeper Claire Durston. Triton secured the 3-1 win with a goal in the fourth period to Shead.

Sam Shead scored two goals in the end for Triton with Jamie Oberman the other scorer. Pippa Pedley was UWA City Beach’s lone scorer.

Shead was awarded the three votes after the game with Riley Davidson from the Blues the two and Triton ‘keeper Carrina Hurrache the one.

Round 2 of the Women’s Premier League takes place this Saturday. In the Fremantle Conference that sees Applecross play the Melville Marlins at 1pm. Then at 2.15pm, Dolphins take on North Coast Phoenix.

Meanwhile in the UWA Conference, the UWA City Beach Blues take on the UWA City Beach Rangers at HBF Stadium at 1pm.

PREMIER LEAGUE 2017-18 WOMEN’S COMPETITION RESULTS

ROUND 1 – Saturday October 14
Fremantle Conference
Melville Marlins 8 defeated Dolphins 4
North Coast Phoenix 7 lost to Applecross 8

UWA Conference
Triton 3 defeated UWA City Beach Blues 1