Rutlidge scores as GB forced to settle for wooden spoon (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rutlidge scores as GB forced to settle for wooden spoon

4:08pm Thursday 9th August 2012 in Olympics 2012 news By Scott Kirk, Reporter

TEAM GB exploded out the blocks but they could not hold onto that fire as they went down 11-7 to Italy in their women's final water polo match of the Olympics.

The match would decide who finished last of the eight women's teams that have been involved in the Olympics and Great Britain began brightly as Chloe Wilcox from Reagill near Shap won the swim-off.

They went into an early lead but Alex Rutlidge of Burton-in-Kendal pulled back an Italian striker, who scored the subsequent penalty to equalise.

Rutlidge put in a superb performance and was part of a defence that excellently kept Italy at bay as Britain forged a 3-2 lead in the first quarter. But the second period was disastrous for Britain as they conceded four goals to go 6-3 down.

Rutlidge scored a deserved goal with a minute left in the third period to score Britain's fifth goal and reduce their arrears to 8-5 before an Italian penalty gave the European side a four goal cushion after Rutlidge was adjudged to have fouled.

Wilcox had an effort tipped over mid-way through the last period as Italy went on to win 11-7, and Team GB were forced to accept their fate as last of the women's water polo teams.