A packed Narrabri Aquatic Centre was treated to three tight and exciting Narrabri Dolphins Water Polo Club 2025/26 campaign round five contests last Friday, with all three matches decided by a single goal.
The club’s president Todd Dunn said that the season’s recent results highlighted just how much the competition across both juniors and seniors continues to rise, with Friday making for one of the strongest and most entertaining rounds in club history so far.
The under-15s match kicked off the night and the Club Narrabri Marlins scored their second win of the season as they defeated the Bellevue Barracudas 7-6 in a fast, high-energy clash.
The Marlins took control early, leading 3-1 at half-time before they were able to hold off a determined second-half surge from Bellevue.
Despite the Barracudas’ strong push late in the game, the Marlins’ early momentum proved just enough to secure the narrow win.
In front of goal, the Marlins were led by Lachy Dunn and Lucy Booby, who each netted three goals, with Tilly Varcoe adding a crucial single, and the Barracudas shared their scoring evenly, with Max Booby, Harry Dunn, and Angus Booby all finishing with two goals apiece.
The first senior match of the evening was also decided by a 7-6 scoreline as the SierraTek Sea Snakes downed the Nutrien Crocs to score their first win of the 2025/26 campaign.
Those two sides delivered a thrilling back-and-forth contest, which was locked at 3-all at half-time.
The Sea Snakes then broke away in the third quarter before the Crocs returned fire with a late final-quarter surge, but a decisive late goal to Lillie Carter ensured the Sea Snakes held on for a well-earned 7-6 victory.
For the Sea Snakes, Todd Dunn scored twice and Carter also added two, including the match winner, and the side’s other three goals were claimed by Stacey Dunn, Lexie Fernance and Ollie Ford.
The Crocs staged a brave fightback that was led by Jenny Donaldson and Andrew McManus, who both scored twice and were supported by goals from Kris Hobden and Peta Cox.
The final match of the night capped off the round with another gripping finish as the PAB Power downed the Santos Sea Pigs 6-5.
The Power controlled the opening half to lead 4-1 at the main break, but the Sea Pigs roared back into the contest in the second half.
Despite the late surge, Power held their nerve defensively to claim the one-goal victory and to cement their position on top of the competition ladder.
Four of PAB Power’s goals came from Karla Caruthers and Kris Hobden, who each scored doubles, while Paul Bushby and Angela Fittler added a goal each.
The Sea Pigs were led by an impressive four-goal performance from Lachy Dunn, and their other goal was scored by Jordan Dunn.
The round five results saw the undefeated PAB Power open up a four-point lead at the top of the table. They have won three games and drawn their other two to accumulate eight of a possible 10 points so far.
The other three teams are all locked on four points, with the Nutrien Crocs, Santos Sea Pigs and SierraTek Sea Snakes ranked second to fourth, respectively, based on goals scored and conceded.
The Crocs and Sea Pigs have both won twice and lost three times, while the Sea Snakes have won once, drawn twice and lost twice.
The Dolphins’ 2025/26 season will continue this Friday with round six matches.
The under-15s game between the Bellevue Barracudas and the Club Narrabri Marlins will get proceedings underway from 5.30pm, before the first senior match between the Sierratek Sea Snakes and Santos Sea Pigs begins at 6.10pm.
The final match of the night between Nutrien Crocs and PAB Power will start at 6.50pm.
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