Chanel College student Katie Craig played her part in the biggest upset of the Oceania canoe polo tournament in Christchurch last week.
Craig, 16, was a member of the New Zealand B under-21 women's team which, with the under-21 A squad, contested the senior women's section because theirAustralian counterparts withdrew virtually at the 11th hour.
As was to be expected, the Bs found it a tough slog against the Kiwi and Aussie senior sides and were also soundly beaten 9-1 by the under-21 A side in their first meeting.
Little wonder then that, come their last appearance at the tourney, a second clash with the under-21 A side, Craig's squad started as rank underdogs. In a dramatic reversal of form, however, they secured a 3-2 victory.
"We really wanted that one, it was like the big test for us, "Craig said. "We had been steadily improving all the way along and knew we could push them close, to win was awesome."
While disappointed she was unable to lock horns with the best of her age-group from across the Tasman, Craig said she was encouraged by her own performances and those of her team.
"Our coach told us it was a great opportunity to develop our skills against older and more experienced players, and that's exactly what happened," she said. "We all just got better and better and I think that showed in the last game, we had learned a lot by then."
Craig will now set her sights on representing Wairarapa in the national canoe polo league and, while she is yet to make a final decision on whether she will try out for the New Zealand under-21s to contest the world championships in France next year, says it is "more than likely" she will be in the mix.
