Sports in brief

Rippon settles for silver

OXLEY water polo prodigy, Melissa Rippon had to settle for silver after the United States of America crushed Australia's dreams of retaining its FINA World Cup women's water polo crown in New Zealand.

USA controlled proceedings from the outset winning the first two quarters 3-0.

It wasn't until the third quarter the Aussie Stingers would finally challenge USA, scoring two unanswered goals in the term.

However, at 6-2 heading into the final quarter the writing was on the wall as the USA held on for a comfortable 6-3 victory.

Lions pair roar into Queensland team

BRENDAN Ganano and Todd Norris have proven they are both football players on the rise after being selected in the under-14 Queensland Metro State Team.

The two Queensland Lions players helped their team finish second in the Rebel Sport Junior Premier League competition south-east Queensland competition.

The pair will contest the National Youth Championships in Coffs Harbour later this year.

Team-mate Jordan Lambi was named a shadow player in the Queensland Metro squad.