men's division 1
INVICTA OUTGUN SHEFFIELD IN PLAY-OFF
Three goals without reply in the third quarter proved decisive as Invicta held on to a place in the BWPL top division with a 10-6 play-off victory over Division Two champions City of Sheffield at Manchester Aquatics Centre (21 January).
Sheffield made the more emphatic start, taking a 2-0 lead with goals by Tom Kelly and Richard Ratlidge.
But Invicta’s Division One experience soon began to tell. They hit back to go 3-2 up by the end of the opening period. It was 4-4 after two but then goals by Pat Baker (2) and Oli Bray put their team comfortably in charge.
At 8-5 in the last quarter, Sheffield sensed there was just an outside chance of recovery when impressive Invicta goalkeeper Ben Alcorn conceded a penalty. But Alcorn promptly saved Joe Abbot’s shot, leaving Invicta in the clear.
Invicta goals: Baker (3), Will Liddie (3), Callum Bailey (3), Oli Bray. Sheffield: Abbot (2), Tom Kelly (2), Alex
Tollefson, Rattlidge.
BRISTOL TRIUMPH – PORTOBELLO SURVIVE
Bristol knew the Division One title was in the bag after defeating nearest challengers, City of Manchester, in their opening match at Bath University (11/12 December).
Manchester led 3-2 after two periods. But five Bristol goals in a dominant third – two each by John Sissons and Matt Thresher and another from Stuart Fennell – transformed the match and set up an 8-6 Bristol victory.
Once the championship was decided, main point of interest was the battle for places in the reduced top division of eight clubs next season.
A 7-7 draw between Portobello and Invicta slightly eased the pressure on both teams. But it was tight at the finish. Goals by Fraser Rutherford and James Scobie edged the Scots into a 7-5 lead in the fourth period before Oli Bray replied with two minutes remaining. Shortly afterwards, Scobie conceded a penalty. The shot rebounded from the woodwork – and from the rebound Callum Bailey claimed an equaliser.
Portobello made sure of seventh place at the start of day two with a 12-7 victory over Welsh Wanderers, including four goals by Fraser Rutherford.
Invicta then secured eighth place – and the prospect of a play-off for Division One survival against the champions of Division Two – with a fairly predictable 19-7 win over bottom club Sutton & Cheam.
That left the Wanderers – beaten 13-6 by Rotherham in their final match – in ninth place. They will join Sutton in the BWPL’s second tier in 2011.
Lancaster were runners-up thanks to wins over Cheltenham (8-7) and Manchester (7-3).
Cheltenham levelled at 7-7 against Lancaster when Joel Thomas scored early in the last quarter. The only other score was a penalty three minutes from the end by Tom Curwen – his fourth goal of the game.
West London Penguin were only 8-7 ahead against Cheltenham towards the end of the third period but then five goals without reply – from Attila Banhidy (3), Tim Grace and Pat Harmer - set up a 14-10 win.
BRISTOL EDGE CLOSER TO TITLE (28 november)
After wins over Cheltenham and Lancaster at the Surrey University pool (27/28 November), Bristol Central require two points from two remaining games to become the first Division One champions of the British Water Polo League.
Nothing is guaranteed. Bristol – NWPL winners on four previous occasions – still have to play second-placed City of Manchester on the final weekend at Bath University on 11/12 December. Their other match is against West London Penguin – and the last meeting of these sides ended in a 10-10 draw.
Bristol began the Surrey University programme in style, hammering Cheltenham 15-6, including seven goals in the final quarter. GB captain Craig Figes scored four.
Their battle with reigning NWPL champions Lancaster was much closer, even though Bristol took a 4-0 lead in the first quarter. Lancaster were still 8-2 adrift at half-time but pulled up to 9-8 before Bristol scored again to take the points at 10-8.
Manchester kept their title hopes alive with wins against West London Penguin (12-11) and Cheltenham (12-8). The Penguin match was a real thriller, the London side trailing from the start but, thanks to a six-goal haul from Attila Banhidy, recovering from 11-9 down in the final quarter to level at 11-11. It seemed the sides would share the points until Joe O’Regan claimed the winner for Manchester from a man-up with just one second remaining.
Invicta stayed in the battle for top division survival with a 10-8 win against Welsh Wanderers.
Restructuring of the league next season to eight-team divisions across the board means that only the top seven this year are guaranteed a Division One place – with the eighth-placed club facing the possibility of a survival play-off against the Division Two winners.
Portobello currently hold seventh position thanks to an 18-4 defeat of Sutton & Cheam, with Wanderers holding on to eighth spot. But with fixtures at Bath including Invicta’s clash with Portobello as well as a Welsh Wanderers-Portobello show-down, there is still all to play for.
The Scots lost 12-9 to Rotherham in a remarkable game. Rotherham were down to just seven players in the final quarter – including an emergency appearance by coach Norman Leighton – with the sides level at 9-9. But, inspired by six-goal Richard Leighton, they still managed to score three times in the last minute to clinch the points.
PORTOBELLO BOOSTED BY TWO VITAL WINS
While Bristol stretched their lead to three points, the latest Division One weekend at Lancaster (13/14 November) produced some key results at the bottom end of the table.
At the close of this season, only the leading seven are next year guaranteed a place in the trimmed-down top division of just eight teams – with survival of the 2010 eighth-placed club depending on a potential play-off against the champions of Division Two.
Portobello are clearly determined to ensure a continuing Scottish presence in Division One. They defeated Invicta 8-5 and Welsh Wanderers 7-5 to move into the crucial seventh position.
Four goals without reply in the second quarter – including two by Barry Davidson – set up victory over Invicta. Two goals each from James Scobie and Fraser Rutherford helped Portobello race into 5-0 early lead against the Wanderers, whose recovery in the later stages brought no reward.
Invicta’s hopes of avoiding the drop were boosted by a 12-7 defeat of bottom club Sutton & Cheam. This game was much closer than the score suggests – Sutton were still in contention up to the end of the third period, when Invicta led 8-6. Callum Bailey scored four of the Invicta goals.
With Manchester and Lancaster both dropping points, the weekend could hardly have been more satisfying for Bristol.
Not that Bristol’s record was perfect. After beating Manchester 7-4 thanks to goals in the second half by Craig Figes (2) and Matt Thresher, Bristol were held to a 10-10 draw by West London Penguin. Four-goal Attila Banhidy was the key player for the London side, who trailed early on but then recovered to snatch a point in a tense final period.
Lancaster’s 12-8 victory over Cheltenham featured three goals apiece for Tom Curwen and Declan Elwood. But Lancaster then suffered a rare defeat on home territory – 10-6 against Manchester, whose goalkeeper Ed Scott was in dazzling form. Big Joe O’Regan also starred with six goals.
Cheltenham beat Penguin 8-7 after trailing for much of the match. David Taylor claimed the winning goal just 40
seconds form the end.
BRISTOL GRAB TOP SPOT
On a weekend when leading players were involved in Great Britain’s 9-3 European Championship qualifier defeat in Georgia, Bristol Central took full advantage to claim top spot in Division One at Loughborough University (30/31 October).
Bristol defeated Lancaster 14-9. And they also saw the previous leaders, City of Manchester, drop three vital points – in a 9-8 defeat by Cheltenham and 7-7 draw with West London Penguin.
Not that it was all straightforward for Bristol. Lancaster were very much in the hunt until Bristol opened up an 11-7 lead thanks to a 4-2 advantage in the third quarter. John Sissons, Sean Coles and Matt Thresher each scored three for Bristol.
It was even closer in a typically lively West Country derby against Cheltenham, who led 6-2 at the halfway point and 8-7 after three periods. Max Gerasimov’s exclusion then brought Bristol level at 8-8 with a goal by Coles. The game then moved to 9-9 before Coles scored again just over two minutes from the end following a time-out.
Cheltenham and Manchester were level at 7-7 at the start of the final period before goals by Adam Legge and Joel Thomas edged Cheltenham in front. Manchester countered again and scored a minute and a half from the end through Robert Rae – but that was the end of the scoring.
West London Penguin forced a 7-7 draw with Manchester when Oregan scored the only goal – his fourth – of the final quarter.
Richard Leighton netted six in Rotherham’s 13-7 defeat of Invicta; and there were five each for Neilson Rutherford and Grundy in Portobello’s 17-9 victory over Sutton & Cheam.
MANCHESTER MARCH ON
Goals by Andy Squires and James Wannop salvaged a 6-6 draw for Lancaster against Manchester at Cardiff International Pool (9 October) after Manchester had started the final period with a 6-4 lead.
The result didn’t stop unbeaten Manchester holding on to first place at the half way stage of the season.
Manchester and Lancaster will now be joined by the West Country’s big two – Bristol and Cheltenham – and by West London Penguin in the “top five” competition during phase two of the season.
Rotherham who finished third last season, drop into the lower half of the division with Welsh Wanderers, Portobello, Invicta and Sutton & Cheam.
Manchester enjoyed a scoring spree in their other matches at Cardiff, beating bottom team Sutton 27-2 and Portobello 20-5. Joe O’Regan notched eight against the Scots.
Lancaster also took maximum points from Welsh Wanderers (14-10) and Sutton (15-6).
It was a good weekend for Bristol, who were the only team to win all three games. The closest was against Penguin, who levelled at 10-10 in the final period with a Kevin O’Brien goal only for Matt Thresher and Craig Figes to hit back and secure the points for Bristol at 12-10.
Bristol also beat Rotherham 16-4 and Welsh Wanderers 11-7 – with Figes amassing a total of 19 goals.
Two goals each for Callum Bailey, Ollie Bray and Danny Casey enabled Invicta to recover from 3-1 down early on to beat Portobello 10-8.
Chris Taylor scored five for Welsh Wanderers against Lancaster but couldn’t save his side form a 14-10 defeat.
It was another difficult weekend for Sutton, who lost all nine matches in the first half of the season. But at least they earned the biggest cheer of the weekend when Jacob Tidy, just 16, scored a splendid goal against Lancaster.
ROTHERHAM MISS OUT
Achieving a top five placing in the first phase of the British League men’s first division is of paramount importance to the country’s leading clubs – and Rotherham, who have regularly qualified in recent seasons, face a battle to make it this year.
Rotherham suffered during the latest weekend of competition at Ponds Forge (25/26 September), where their team, admittedly under strength, lost all three matches – 16-11 to London Penguin, 15-11 to Welsh Wanderers and 19-10 to Cheltenham.
They could still go through, but will need to aim for maximum points in fixtures against bottom club Sutton & Cheam, Bristol and Invicta at the all-important next weekend of competition at Cardiff International Pool on 9/10 October.
New leaders Manchester, Lancaster and Bristol should all qualify, with London Penguin also well placed. But Rotherham will have their work cut out to overhaul Cheltenham and Welsh Wanderers, who both dramatically improved their prospects with hat-tricks of victories at Ponds Forge.
Strong starts were a feature of Manchester’s successful weekend. They led 6-2 early in the second quarter against Bristol with goals by Joe O’Regan (3), Robert Rae and Rob Simpson before Bristol, led by Craig Figes, began a fightback which saw them edge into a 7-6 lead at the start of the last period. Another Rae goal three minutes from the end squared the match at 7-7.
Manchester also began strongly against Penguin, surging into a 5-1 lead early in the second quarter and eventually winning 9-7.
Lancaster hammered Portobello 22-7 and beat Bristol 13-8. It was less straightforward for Lancaster against Penguin, who went 6-1 up in the first quarter and were dominating the match until Colin Burgess used all his experience to rally the Lancaster side. They trailed only 8-6 after two periods and, with Alex Parsonage contributing six goals, finally triumphed 12-9. Attila Banhidy (4) and Kevin O’Brien (3) were the main Penguin scorers.
Cheltenham’s David Taylor scored nine in his team’s 29-8 drubbing of Sutton & Cheam, who are finding the going hard after losing several members of the team that won promotion from Division Two last season.
Marko Madaras’s fourth goal clinched Welsh Wanderers’ 8-7 victory over Invicta, who had led 4-1 early on. Madaras and Chris Taylor both netted six against Sutton, who were beaten 18-5.
HOTSHOT MIDDLETON STUNS LANCASTER
Lancaster, runaway winners of the National League title last year, are likely to face much stiffer competition if they are to emerge as first champions of the British League.
That was evident when the new league's season began at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, on 11/12 September and Lancaster dropped two points - one more than in the whole 17-match, 2009 campaign - in draws against Rotherham and Cheltenham.
West London Penguin, Bristol Central and Manchester were the only teams to win all their three matches.
This season has a slightly different feel to it, of course, because several of the leading sides will be without star players now training abroad. Lancaster are no exception - a notable absentee in Sheffield was Scott Carpenter, scorer of 100 or more goals in two previous NWPL seasons.
Not that this detracts from the efforts of a spirited Cheltenham side who, having lost their opening fixtures against Bristol (12-10) and Manchester (12-8) staged a brilliant recovery to level at 15-15.
Lancaster appeared to be cruising with a 14-9 lead at the start of the last period. But Cheltenham chipped away with goals by Adam Legge, David Taylor, Will Middleton and Joel Thomas (2) before a superb long-range shot by left-hander Middleton earned his side a deserved point.
Earlier, it was Lancaster who rallied late to level at 14-14 against Rotherham. With seven-goal Richard Leighton in great form, Rotherham led 4-1 early on and 12-9 going into the final period. But Tom Curwen's sixth goal of the match broughT Lancaster back to 14-13 three minutes from the end. Then Alex Parsonage scored from a man-up - with just six seconds remaining.
After a couple of mediocre seasons, Penguin have put together a much stronger squad. They beat Invicta 14-8 and Welsh Wanderers 16-10 before disposing of newly-promoted Sutton & Cheam 19-8. Sutton, for whom Stephen Bayles scored five, were leading until Tom Grace netted four times in the second period.
Bristol Central beat Cheltenham 12-10 and Sutton 24-5. Bristol were 6-0 up early on against Invicta but then rather lost momentum and ended with a 10-8 win.
Sean Ryder inspired Manchester's bright start with a personal tally of 18 goals in victories over Welsh Wanderers (13-6), Cheltenham and Rotherham (13-6).
Welsh Wanderers may have lost last year's top marksman Dan Laxton to Dutch polo, but they have managed to recruit 19-year-old Hungarian junior international Marko Madakas (pictured above), younger brother of Norbert, the top Hungarian international. Marko, in the UK to improve his English prior to a potential spell at an American university, scored three times in his side's 12-12 draw with Portobello. A win looked on the cards for the Wanderers until James Scobie equalised for Portobello ten seconds from the end.
men's division two
LEEDS HOLD OUT FOR NARROW PLAY-OFF WIN
City of Leeds will remain in Division Two next season after a thrilling 12-11 play-off victory over Division Three champions City of Birmingham at Manchester Aquatics Centre (21 January).
Leeds were narrowly ahead for much of the game, despite some outstanding saves by Birmingham goalkeeper Tom Carpenter – including a second quarter penalty.
But tension increased in the final period as Birmingham rallied. Leeds goalkeeper Shaun Greatorex made a vital close quarters save from a shot by Nigel Greenwood and, with a little over two minutes remaining, Gary Tonks’ third goal brought the Midlanders up to 11-11.
Only victory would have earned promotion for Birmingham. But their hopes were dashed just 23 seconds later when Andy Marshall notched his fourth goal to give his side a one-goal victory.
INVICTA OUTGUN SHEFFIELD IN PLAY-OFF
Three goals without reply in the third quarter proved decisive as Invicta held on to a place in the BWPL top division with a 10-6 play-off victory over Division Two champions City of Sheffield at Manchester Aquatics Centre (21 January).
Sheffield made the more emphatic start, taking a 2-0 lead with goals by Tom Kelly and Richard Rattlidge.
But Invicta’s Division One experience soon began to tell. They hit back to go 3-2 up by the end of the opening period. It was 4-4 after two but then goals by Pat Baker (2) and Oli Bray put their team comfortably in charge.
At 8-5 in the last quarter, Sheffield sensed there was just an outside chance of recovery when impressive Invicta goalkeeper Ben Alcorn conceded a penalty. But Alcorn promptly saved Joe Abbott’s shot, leaving Invicta in the clear.
Invicta goals: Baker (3), Will Liddie (3), Callum Bailey (3), Oli Bray. Sheffield: Abbott (2), Tom Kelly (2), Alex
Tollefson, Rattlidge.
SHEFFIELD TAKE TITLE IN TENSE FINISH
City of Sheffield clinched the Division Two title at Loughborough University (8/9 January) when, in the very last match of the season, they beat Tyldesley 6-5.
The game began as a winner-takes-all affair because even a draw for Tyldesley would have earned them top spot for the second time in three years.
Sheffield, however, made the better start, leading 3-1 in the first period, when Tyldesley’s Paul Cowburn had a penalty saved by Josh Smith. It was 4-3 at the halfway stage to Sheffield and they entered the final period 6-4 ahead. A solitary Tyldesley goal was all either side could manage after that.
Elliot Kelly (2), Chris Howard, Joel Abbott, skipper Richard Rattlidge and Tom Girling scored for the new champions, with Martin Rimmer, Mike Cowburn, Greg Samuels, Steve Davidson and Martin Barrett replying.
Sheffield can now gear up for a promotion play-off against eighth-placed Division One club Invicta. It takes place at Manchester Aquatics Centre on 22 January.
Earlier, Croydon Amphibians, the other team with title aspirations, lost out for the second time this season to London rivals Polytechnic – 11-10. A close game from start to finish was settled by a goal for Poly by Danny Davis with 15 seconds remaining.
The situation at the bottom of the table was settled on day one. The failure of Otter to fulfil matches against Sheffield and Poly cost a deduction of five points - sufficient to drop them to bottom place.
University of Bristol, beaten 15-14 by Hucknall – after leading 6-1 in the first period - are also relegated.
Leeds Sharks were also 6-1 up midway through the second period against Hucknall but then conspired to lose 12-10. It means that Leeds must play off against Division Three champions City of Birmingham, also at MAC, on 22 January.
For all the scores from Loughborough and the final Division Two table, click on the results page.
OTTER REVIVE – CROYDON GO TOP
The weekend at Bath University (20/21 November) produced a number of surprise results. Croydon Amphibians moved back to top spot on goal difference from Tyldesley thanks to victories over Leeds and Sheffield – yet only just managed to salvage a draw against University of Bristol, who have now dropped to the foot of the table.
London Otter, previously in bottom place, suddenly surged up to sixth place with a hat-trick of wins.
One of their victims – arch rivals Polytechnic – lost all their three matches, ruining a solid start to the season.
The Otter-Poly London derby was a real thriller. Poly went into the final period with an 11-8 lead but then slumped to a 12-11 defeat as Richard Chambers, Eamon Lui, Frank Braden and – with just five seconds remaining – Chambers again scored the goals.
Sheffield recorded emphatic wins on day one – 16-10 against the previous leaders Tyldesley, including four goals by Joel Abbott; then 17-6 against Hucknall. They led Croydon 4-2 after the first period and were all square at 7-7 in the last. Then Darren de Bruyn scored twice to make it 9-7 to Croydon – and, despite four exclusions and three time-outs, there was no more scoring.
Leeds were very close to claiming at least a point against Tyldesley. They levelled at 7-7 when Elliott Thompson scored with just over three minutes remaining. Then up popped Tyldesley's Mike Cowburn with the winning goal . . . with his foot.
SHEFFIELD’S TITLE CHALLENGE
Sheffield enjoyed themselves on home territory at Ponds Forge (23/24 October), notching up a hat-trick of victories to jump from fourth to second place in Division Two behind leaders Tyldesley.
They were 6-0 up at the start of the second period against Leeds Sharks before easing up and ending with a 7-2 win.
Joel Abbott (6) and George Rix (3) were the main scorers in a 12-9 success against University of Bristol. They rounded off by beating Polytechnic 8-4. This ended the London club’s unbeaten run which, remarkably, had already included four draws.
The University’s defeat helped push them down into the bottom two. They lost 16-11 to Polytechnic – Giannis Panopoulos scored four for Poly – and then went down 17-16 to Leeds in a match with a very tense finish.
Leeds were 14-11 ahead at the start of the final period, but Bristol narrowed the margin to 17-16 when Mark Taylor scored his fourth goal with 24 seconds left. Even then, there was time for Bristol to hit the crossbar with a shot that would have salvaged a point.
One of the best games of the weekend came at the end of the programme – a 9-9 draw between Tyldesley and rapidly-improving Hucknall. Tyldesley were 8-6 in arrears going into the last period and had already missed two penalties. But Tyldesley rallied towards the end and a goal from Mike Cowburn with 35 seconds remaining meant the sides shared the spoils.
It is all very tight at the top of the table. Croydon Amphibians only trail Sheffield on goal difference thanks to a 15-8 defeat of Hucknall – including goals by Darren de Bruyn (4), Nat Snook (3) and Jack Shepperd (3) – and a 12-6 victory over bottom team London Otter.
Poly’s fourth draw was against Leeds, who were 6-4 adrift at half-time but hit back late on to level at 7-7 thanks to
two goals by Andy Marshall.
HUCKNALL STAY COOL TO CLAIM FIRST POINTS
Division Two could hardly be more competitive this season. Just ask Hucknall, who needed nerves of steel to negotiate the latest round of matches at Loughborough University (2/3 October).
This is how their weekend progressed:
Against Leeds Sharks, Hucknall trailed 7-6 until 90 seconds from the end when Brett Perkins notched his fourth goal of the game to force a 7-7 draw.
The match against Polytechnic produced an equally tense finale. This time it was Hucknall who led 11-10 until a minute from the end when Brian Hoy scored an equaliser for the London club.
Finally, Hucknall faced Sheffield – which produced yet another nail-biting conclusion. Hucknall seemed to have the points in the bag as they led 7-5 and then 9-6 in the final period. But goals by Joel Abbott – an excellent acquisition this season from Division Four club Worthing – Chris Howard and Hoy then squared the match at 9-9. It was left to Phil Foster to clinch a 10-9 win for Hucknall just 53 seconds from the end.
For Hucknall, four points was a very welcome return after three losses in the first round of matches in September. Altogether, the latest weekend produced four draws and ended with Tyldesley, Croydon Amphibians and Polytechnic vying for top spot, each with nine points from six games.
Mike Cowburn scored eight for Tyldesley in their 10-10 draw with Poly. It was 9-7 to Tyldesley at the start of the last quarter, but goals by Danny Davis (2) and Hoy ensured a point for the Londoners.
Otter lost a player to a brutality offence in the first period against University of Bristol, conceding four goals while a man down. They were never able to close the gap and eventually lost 15-9. Mark Taylor (6) and Sean Love (5) were the main Bristol marksmen.
Against Leeds, Otter’s Richard Chambers scored nine, but still ended on the losing side. Leeds went clear in the final period to win 18-13, including six goals apiece for Andy Marshall and Elliott Thompson.
CROYDON'S WINNING START
Croydon Amphibians clung to the only 100 per cent record after week one of the Division Two season when South African Darren de Bruyn led a last quarter fightback against Tyldesley at Lancaster (18/19 September).
Tyldesley ended the third period with a 9-7 lead, but two goals from de Bruyn and another from Alfonso Tucay snatched a 10-9 victory.
Earlier, Croydon were 6-6 against Otter at the halfway stage before goals by Brendon Heath and Kevin Steele set up a 12-7 win. Then Heath, Steele and Bence Toth scored three apiece in a 13-7 defeat of Hucknall. Our picture features Nat Snook, of Croydon.
Six-goal Danny Davis inspired Polytechnic's 14-10 win against Sheffield. The match was settled in the second period when the Londoners scored four times without reply while Sheffield were a man short following a brutality exclusion.
Poly were held to a 6-6 draw by Leeds - who salvaged a point thanks to a late goal by Andy Marshall - but then defeated University of Bristol 13-10. Bristol's failure to convert man-up situations proved costly - there were 18 Poly exclusions compared with just five for the opposition.
Newly-promoted Bristol had the consolation of a first win at this level - Mark Taylor scored four in a 10-6 victory over Leeds.
Joel Abbott claimed five in Sheffield's 10-4 defeat of Leeds. Abbott (2), George Rix (2) and Richard Rattlidge were on target as Sheffield scored five without reply in the final period to beat University of Bristol 14-8.
Richard Chambers scored seven for Otter against Tyldesley - and still ended on the losing side. Tyldesley won 18-12 - with Mike Cowburn netting eight to win a spectacular shoot-out with Chambers.
Otter picked up their first points when four Carl Ainley goals in the second half clinched a 9-6 success against Hucknall.
Click on the results page for all scores and the latest table.
men's division 3
birmingham narrowly miss out in play-off
City of Leeds will remain in Division Two next season after a thrilling 12-11 play-off victory over Division Three champions City of Birmingham at Manchester Aquatics Centre (21 January).
Leeds were narrowly ahead for much of the game, despite some outstanding saves by Birmingham goalkeeper Tom Carpenter – including a second quarter penalty.
But tension increased in the final period as Birmingham rallied. Leeds goalkeeper Shaun Greatorex made a vital close quarters save from a shot by Nigel Greenwood and, with a little over two minutes remaining, Gary Tonks’ third goal brought the Midlanders up to 11-11.
Only victory would have earned promotion for Birmingham. But their hopes were dashed just 23 seconds later when Andy Marshall notched his fourth goal to give his side a one-goal victory.
SIX-GOAL STARK LEADS WORTHING PLAY-OFF SUCCESS
Worthing comfortably overcame Swindon Dolphin in the play-off at Corby (11 December), winning 13-10 to claim a place in the new, eight-team Division Three next season.
They lost one of their leading marksmen, Matt White, to a misconduct offence in the second period, but still had the game more or less in their grasp after building a 9-4 advantage by the end of the third.
Elan Stark led the scoring with six. The other Worthing goals came from Richard Hopper (4), Andy Cawdray, Nathan Hart
and White.
BIRMINGHAM’S PERFECT FINISH
Champions City of Birmingham completed the Division Three season with a proud 100 per cent record when they won their final matches against Caledonia (9-8) and Exeter (19-13) at Grantham (27/28 November).
The clash with Caledonia produced a precise repeat of the sides’ previous meeting – a 9-8 Birmingham win. The Midlanders led 5-1 at the halfway point before Caledonia rallied and, with just over three minutes to go, pulled up to 8-8.
Mike Foulds then claimed a vital ninth goal for Birmingham and, despite further time-outs and near misses, there was no more scoring. Ben Cartwright (3), Gary Tonks (3), Foulds (2) and Shuichiro Kawuaguchi were the Birmingham marksmen.
Birmingham’s victory over Exeter proved harder work than the score suggests. Exeter were only 13-12 in arrears at the start of the fourth period but then suffered from the loss of players on three exclusions and were outplayed in the final minutes. Cartwright netted five for Birmingham, with Marcos Alejandro scoring seven of the Exeter goals.
There were celebrations for Invicta Marlins, who recorded their first win – 16-12 over Ealing, including seven goals by Tom McDonald.
Ealing also claimed their second victory of the season – Johan van der Flier contributed seven of the goals in a 17-9 defeat of Swindon Dolphin.
Birmingham now qualify for a promotion play-off against the sixth-placed club in Division Two. Invicta and Ealing drop to Division Four, with Swindon lined up for a probable play-off against Division Four winners Worthing.
BIRMINGHAM ON BRINK OF TITLE
Only a remarkable turnaround on the final weekend of the season will deprive City of Birmingham of the Division Three title after they maintained their 100 per cent record with another hat-trick of wins at Walsall (6/7 November).
One more point from their last two matches at Grantham on 27/28 November – admittedly against Caledonia and Exeter, the second and third-placed teams – will ensure success and the prospect of a promotion play-off against the sixth team in Division Two.
The key game for Birmingham was their clash with Caledonia which, predictably, was close all the way through. The score was 8-8 with four minutes to go and it remained like that until less than two minutes from the end when Gary Tonks’ fourth strike of the match earned his side the points.
Birmingham were actually three goals down early on against Swindon but then recovered to win 17-11. They rounded off with a 19-11 victory over Invicta Marlins.
Caledonia won their remaining games – high-scoring affairs against Warley (19-12) and Ealing (20-16).
Exeter took over from Warley in third place after a weekend of close matches. A goal 26 seconds from the end by Andy Barry clinched a 12-11 victory over Warley; they needed late goals from Steve Margetts and Darren Heagarty to edge through 17-16 against a determined Ealing team; and trailed South Derbyshire in the last quarter until a goal by Margetts with 33 seconds remaining earned a 13-13 draw.
In the battle of the two bottom sides, Ealing defeated Invicta 22-10, with Jakob Iwanowski (5), Vincente Torres (4) and Johan van der Flier (4) leading the scorers.
Invicta may not have picked up any points this season but they gave South Derbyshire a run for their money, trailing 12-11 early in the final quarter before going down 17-14.
Graham Harrington claimed eight of Warley’s goals in a 21-16 success against Swindon. Rob Toolen, the division’s top marksman, also scored eight – remarkably, including seven in the final quarter!
LAST-DITCH EXETER WIN BOOSTS BIRMINGHAM
City of Birmingham are clear leaders of Division Three after main rivals Caledonia crashed 14-13 in a spectacular match against Exeter at Marlborough College (23/24 October).
Exeter had hardly hit the heights in completing earlier wins against Swindon Dolphin (16-11) and Invicta Marlins (22-11). But the clash with the Scots produced a match of real quality and drama.
At the start of the final period, Exeter, with powerful Andy Barry and Spaniard Emmanuel Salvivelli leading the attack, led 12-9. With four minutes remaining, however, Caledonia had recovered to trail 13-12 – and they sensed a chance of victory when Barry had a one-on-one opportunity brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Simon Metcalfe.
Salvivelli then scored his fifth goal to put Exeter 14-12 up. Once again, Caledonia responded, notching a goal by Andrew Woodall with less than three minutes left. But, crucially, they then had a penalty saved by Exeter goalkeeper Will Purchall – and the points went to Devon club.
Caledonia will still feel they have a chance of overhauling Birmingham – the sides meet twice in the final weeks of the season.
But Birmingham seem to be improving with every game, wearing sides down with a slick counterattacking approach. They were four goals up before derby rivals Warley fond the net and, with Nigel Greenwood scoring five, completed a comfortable 12-5 victory.
At the other end of the table, Invicta Marlins had a chance of their first points of the season when they battled back from 5-1 down to begin the last quarter against Swindon Dolphin at 9-9. Swindon finished the stronger, however, and won 13-11, with Rob Toolen scoring five. Dan Hanlon and Jamie bailey notched four each for the Marlins.
Ealing, inspired by Johan van der Flier, were also chasing their first victory when building an early 4-0 lead
against South Derbyshire. But South Derby had recovered to lead 9-8 at the start of the final period and eventually
they won 12-10, including five goals by Neil Swainson.
BIRMINGHAM AND CALEDONIA TAKE CHARGE
City of Birmingham and Caledonia underlined their Division Three title ambitions with three more wins apiece at Walsall (9/10 October). Both sides have 100 per cent records from six matches, with Warley (eight points from six games) the nearest challenger.
Birmingham, coached this season by Vargin Yeke, enjoyed the more comfortable passage of the top two. Nigel Greenwood (4), Gary Tonks (3) and Shuichiro Kawunguchi (3) were the chief scorers in a 17-9 defeat of Exeter.
They hammered Invicta Marlins 23-5 and rounded off with a 17-9 victory over Swindon Dolphin. Tonks (he won his first international honours in 1986 according to the Walsall honours board) helped himself to 16 goals in the three games.
Caledonia started slowly against South Derbyshire, struggling to contain five-goal Craig Mellors. The Scots trailed 8-7 at the halfway point but turned the game around in the third period, scoring five times without reply. South Derby rallied again towards the end, but Caledonia held on for a 13-12 victory.
David Stewart, Mark Speed and Callum Fraser all scored three in a 16-10 defeat of Ealing. Then Caledonia withstood a late rally by Warley to clinch an 11-9 victory.
Warley outplayed Invicta Marlins 21-5, including five goals each for Graham Harrington, Phil Powell and Roger Kennedy. Adam Whitehall bagged five against Swindon, who were beaten 17-10.
Neil Swainson scored six in South Derbyshire’s 15-10 defeat of Exeter, who at least rounded off a disappointing weekend with two points from a 12-6 victory over Ealing. Will Purchall, Exeter’s 19-year-old goalkeeper, was in outstanding form all weekend.
NEW-LOOK BIRMINGHAM MAKE BRIGHT START
City of Birmingham’s new recruits – Ben Cartwright (ex-Birkenhead) and Nigel Greenwood (ex-Cheltenham) - both scored four goals as their team beat Ealing 17-9 to ensure a six-point start to the Division Three season at Middlesbrough.
Birmingham also defeated South Derbyshire 9-8 – thanks to a goal 14 seconds from the end by Cartwright – and Midlands rivals Warley 16-8. This time, it was ageless ex-international Gary Tonks and Jason Culloo who each contributed four of the Birmingham goals.
Caledonia were the only other side to notch victories from their three matches and look well set to challenge for promotion.
Andrew Woodall (4) and Ryan Laird (3) led the scoring in a 15-12 defeat of Exeter, for whom Darren Heagarty hit seven.
Callum Fraser netted four in Caledonia’s 16-9 win against Swindon. The Scots rounded off with a comprehensive 20-4 victory over Invicta Marlins.
Late goals for South Derbyshire by Tony Lamparelli and Craig Mellors failed to avert an 11-10 defeat by Warley.
SIX-GOAL STARK LEADS WORTHING PLAY-OFF SUCCESS
Worthing comfortably overcame Swindon Dolphin in the play-off at Corby (11 December), winning 13-10 to claim a place in the new, eight-team Division Three next season.
They lost one of their leading marksmen, Matt White, to a misconduct offence in the second period, but still had the game more or less in their grasp after building a 9-4 advantage by the end of the third.
Elan Stark led the scoring with six. The other Worthing goals came from Richard Hopper (4), Andy Cawdray, Nathan Hart
and White.
men's division 4
WORTHING GRAB TITLE IN TENSE FINISH (21 november)
The Division Four season produced a spectacular finale when Worthing clinched the title by defeating closest rivals Manchester Hawks in the very last match at Walsall (20/21 November).
A draw would have been sufficient to give the Hawks top spot while Worthing – having dropped three points from two matches earlier in the weekend – knew that only victory would see them home.
In the end, it was all very comfortable for the Sussex team. A super Worthing goal early in the second quarter set the tone – Matt White, under heavy pressure in the pit, flicked a pass to Elan Stark, who expertly lobbed the Manchester keeper.
By the halfway stage, Worthing led 6-1. It was 9-3 after three, with Manchester wasting scoring opportunities and struggling to find a way past goalkeeper Alistair Roberts. Worthing eventually won 12-7, scoring through White (4), Richard Hooper (3), Sam Abbott (2), Stark, Nathan Hart and Alastair Hardinge. Sammy Badaway notched four for Manchester.
Manchester finished as runners-up. Third place went Carlisle, who will perhaps look back on a narrow defeat by Team Northumbria much earlier in the season as potentially costing them a title chance. Remarkably, Carlisle finished two points adrift of Worthing – yet defeated Worthing in all three matches between the sides.
Dan Barker was the architect of Carlisle’s latest success, scoring eight to set up a 15-10 win.
Worthing also had to settle for a point against Cambridge, who hit back from 6-2 down in the second quarter to level at 9-9 with a Neil Drinkwater goal two and half minutes from the end. Matt White replied for Worthing just 16 seconds later, only for Cambridge to equalise through a Ricardo di Pietro penalty with three seconds remaining.
Later, Cambridge did Worthing a mighty favour by beating Manchester Hawks 11-9. The Hawks were 8-7 up at the start of the last when Matt Jenner scored. But then di Pietro took over, netting three times in little over a minute to grab the points.
Cambridge couldn’t maintain the same tempo against Carlisle, who romped to a 15-3 victory, including four goals by Bret Sharpe.
Worthing now earn the right to challenge for promotion against the sixth team in Division Three. Manchester Hawks, Carlisle, Cambridge, Team Northumbria and Bedford stay in Division Four, with Otter 1869, Grantham and the RAF dropping to the new fifth division, or feeder league.
Ex-international Neil Bowers scored nine in Northumbria’s 15-10 defeat of Grantham and there were six for Otter’s Toshio Tachikawa against the RAF, who were beaten 13-8.
DIVISION FOUR HEADS FOR EXCITING FINALE
The top four took points from each other in a weekend of close matches at Marlborough College (30/31 October). It meant there is still all to play for when the Division Four season reaches a climax at Walsall on 20/21 November.
Worthing and Manchester Hawks are currently level on points at the top, the Sussex club claiming pole position thanks to their superior record in matches with the Hawks – an 11-11 draw earlier on followed by a 15-11 victory at Marlborough.
Carlisle lost 5-4 to Cambridge and 12-9 to Manchester Hawks but remain in contention after a tense 11-10 defeat of Worthing.
In the lower half of the table, Team Northumbria’s successes against the RAF (10-8) and Otter 1869 (8-4) ensured Division 4 safety for next season, when the new league structure will mean that three or the remaining four teams in this section drop into the new feeder, or fifth, division. Bedford are favourites to survive, despite a 12-6 defeat by Otter 1869.
Matt White (5), Elan Stark (4) and Richard Hooper (3) led the Worthing scoring in the defeat of Manchester Hawks.
Highlight of Cambridge’s 5-4 defeat of Carlisle was the excellent display of rival goalkeepers Andy Knight (Cambridge) and Marc Robinson. Cambridge edged it thanks to goals by Neil Drinkwater (2), Simon Gregory (2) and Adam Oakman.
Carlisle are the only side to have beaten Worthing this season – and they have done it twice. Worthing recovered from 8-3 down to level at 9-9 with three and a half minutes to go but then conceded late goals by Dan Barker and Bret Sharpe. Worthing’s final goal came with just seven seconds left.
Worthing raced into a 7-1 first quarter lead against Cambridge but in the end had to battle hard to secure the points. Cambridge chipped away at the lead, pulling up to 9-6 after three periods and then levelling at 9-9 with less than four minutes to play. It was only then that a penalty by Hooper and a late goal by White settled Worthing nerves.
Otter 1869’s 12-6 defeat of Bedford was their second win of the season. It came courtesy of goals by Pierre Cerri (3), Spencer Corrigal (3), James Hindle (2), Toshio Tachikawa (2), Chris Eden and Tom Norfolk.
TOP FOUR QUALIFIERS
The first phase of the Division Four season concluded at Grantham (16/17 October) with Worthing, Manchester Hawks, Carlisle and City of Cambridge qualifying for the ‘top four’ mini league in the second half of the season.
These sides will face each other twice in the remaining tournaments at Marlborough College (30/31 October) and Walsall (20/21 November). At the same time, the bottom five teams play each other once in the knowledge that only the top two will survive in the division next season. As part of BWPL reorganisation in 2011, the last three teams drop into a new feeder division.
Worthing currently hold top spot, but only on goal difference from Manchester Hawks. One of the surprise results of the Grantham weekend was Worthing’s 9-7 defeat by Carlisle, who charged into a 6-2 lead after two periods. Dan Barker scored four of their goals.
Carlisle would in fact have claimed first place but for a surprise 14-12 defeat earlier on against Team Northumbria, for whom ex-GB international Neil Bowers scored a couple of goals.
The Worthing-Hawks clash ended perhaps predictably in an 11-11 draw. Manchester held a comfortable 7-4 advantage at one point and were still 11-9 ahead in the final period. However, Richard Hooper scored from a man-up with a minute and a half remaining; then Elan Stark levelled the match for Worthing with just 29 seconds remaining.
Cambridge made certain of top four qualification with a hat-trick of wins – against Otter 1869 (7-6), Team Northumbria (18-9) and Bedford (15-7).
At the other end of the table, Grantham secured their first victory – 12-9 against Bedford, who faded after drawing level at 7-7 at the start of the last period.
WORTHING IN THE LEAD
Worthing maintained a 100 per cent record at the top of Division Four at Ponds Forge (25-26 September) with comfortable wins over the RAF (19-6) and Team Northumbria (17-9), plus a last-gasp victory over Cambridge.
There was never much between these sides, with five-goal Nick Ludford in strong form for Cambridge and Sam Abbott (4) and Matt White (4) on target for Worthing. Just 14 seconds remained when Nathan Hart took advantage of a Cambridge defensive slip to score the winner – at 16-15.
Manchester Hawks and Carlisle are currently the main challengers to Worthing and their meeting produced a match of excellent quality. Youthful Carlisle were 8-3 down at one stage, but recovered to trail 10-8 before the Hawks eased clear to win 14-11. Sammy Badawy (6) and Gareth Potts (5) were the leading Manchester scorers.
There is much to play for in Division Four this season. Quite apart from the promotion issue, league restructuring in 2011 will mean that the bottom three clubs this year drop into a new feeder division.
The RAF, perpetual wooden spoonists in recent seasons, have therefore timed this season’s improvement rather well. They drew 13-13 with Bedford and then picked up two more points with a 13-7 defeat of bottom team Grantham. Mark Chapman (5), Mick Whiteley (3), Simon Almond (2), Andy Huckle (2) and Dai Jones scored the goals.
women's division 1
lIVER BIRDS SHRUG OFF BRISTOL CHALLENGE
Liverpool Liver Birds preserved Division One status with a 9-7 victory over Division Two runners-up Bristol Central at Walsall (30 January).
Bristol trailed 4-1 after two periods and never really threatened after that. Nicola Ross scored four of the Liverpool goals.
City of Manchester may be champions, but it was Liverpool Lizards’ Rebecca Benson who finished Division One top goalscorer this season with 40. This included three in the 11-7 defeat of London Otter at Walsall.
The Lizards also comfortably overcame London Penguin Emperors 13-3 to finish the season in second place.
Manchester beat the Emperors 4-1 to complete their campaign with a 100 per cent record.
MANCHESTER EASE TO TITLE
City of Manchester outplayed Leeds Sharks 15-1 at Manchester Aquatics Centre (21/22 January) to make sure of the Division One title with one game still to play.
They followed up with a 9-2 victory over Liverpool Liver Birds.
At the other end of the table, Leeds Sharks avoided the play-offs with a vital 7-7 draw against Manchester Barracudas. It was the Barracudas’ first point of the season.
Four goals by Naughton put Sheffield 5-2 up against the Liver Birds in the second quarter and they eventually won 10-5.
London Otter moved up to third place with wins over the Barracudas (17-4) and Sheffield (9-3). Our picture shows Ruth Holland, of Leeds Sharks (White 5) battling with Tuesday Birmingham, of Manchester.
SHEFFIELD EDGED OUT IN FINAL QUARTER
Second-placed Liverpool Lizards had to work hard for their 9-6 victory over City of Sheffield at Grantham (15 January).
Sheffield trailed only 6-5 at the end of the third and then reduced a 7-5 Liverpool lead with a goal by Cowton. However, a couple of goals by Hesketh then ensured the points for Liverpool.
In the other Division One match, Grace scored five for London Penguin Emperors in a 12-4 victory over Leeds
Sharks.
BECKY SHOOTS DOWN LEEDS
Becky Benson scored six times as Liverpool Lizards defeated Leeds Sharks 12-4 in a Division One fixture staged as a one-off at Lancaster (9 January). Lisa Lang claimed three of the Leeds goals.
The BWPL is grateful to the Lancaster club for making pool time available at short notice.
MANCHESTER HOLD OUT AGAINST BATTLING OTTER
With Liverpool Lizards and West London Penguin absent due to LEN Trophy commitments, City of Manchester strengthened their position at the top of the Division One table with three wins at Corby (11/12 December).
They beat Sheffield 13-3 and Liverpool Liver Birds 15-2 but were then very close to conceding their 100 per cent record to London Otter.
Goals by Chadderton (2), Pimblett (2) and Rafferty put Manchester 5-2 in the lead before Otter battled their way back with goals in the last period by Etiebet and Dunn. The London side called two time-outs in the last 70 seconds without breaking through again.
And they couldn’t snatch an equaliser when Manchester had a player excluded with just 15 seconds remaining.
Otter also finished strongly against Sheffield. The sides were level at 5-5 at the end of the third before goals by Tollefson (2) and Viskovic secured an 8-6 victory.
Leeds claimed their first two wins of the campaign – 14-6 against Manchester Barracudas, including seven goals by
Lisa Lang, and 5-4 against the Liver Birds.
PENGUIN LOSE OUT TO LIZARDS
West London Penguin experienced very mixed fortunes in their rearranged Division One matches against the two Liverpool sides at Walsall (28 November0.
Despite four goals by Charlotte Hanson, they lost 12-10 to Liverpool Lizards. They were only one goal adrift until a minute from the end when Laura Hesketh claimed the final Lizards score.
Penguin then hammered the Liver Birds 19-4, with Katie Frazer netting six.
MANCHESTER WIN TOP-OF-THE-TABLE CLASH
Undefeated City of Manchester boosted their title prospects with a vital 7-6 victory over nearest rivals Liverpool Lizards at Grantham (20/21 November).
Liverpool led 2-0 early on, but after that there was never more than a goal between these two old rivals until Chadderton’s third goal one and half minutes from the end secured the points.
The London derby between Otter and Penguin Emperors ended in a 7-7 draw – with Otter’s Gielen scoring an equaliser just five seconds from the end.
There was also a close finish to the Emperors’ clash with Sheffield. The London side stretched a halfway lead of 4-3 to 7-4 before Sheffield staged a fightback that narrowly failed to earn a draw.
Goalkeepers enjoy clean sheets – and Otter’s Ratveiska achieved that rare distinction in her side’s 12-0 mauling of Leeds Sharks.
Manchester’s 100 per cent record from eight matches gives them a four-point lead over second-placed Liverpool Lizards, with London Otter in third place.
NICKY ROBS LEEDS OF FIRST WIN
Leeds Sharks picked up their first point of the season in the Division One weekend at Liverpool (30/31 October) – but they will probably feel it should have been more.
They led Liverpool Liver Birds 8-4 at one stage in the third quarter but then a determined rally saw their opponents recover to 8-8 in the final period. With two minutes left, Lisa Lang’s fourth goal edged Leeds in front again. But Liverpool’s Nicky Ross had the last word – she levelled the match at 9-9 with just 31 seconds remaining. Nicky also scored four.
Manchester retained their 100 per cent record at the top of the table, beating London Otter 8-2 - their first defeat - and London Penguin Emperors 8-5. Ella Chadderton scored three of the Manchester goals against Penguin – and it might have been more but for some magnificent goalkeeping by Melinda Manczinger.
Laura Hesketh claimed five in Liverpool Lizards’ 16-4 defeat of Leeds Sharks.
All was set for a competitive second day . . . until health and safety matters put an untimely stop to the action (see main News page).
SARAH CLINCHES LATE WIN FOR MANCHESTER
A goal 16 seconds from the end by Sarah Pimblett earned City of Manchester an exciting 10-9 victory over Liverpool Lizards when the Women’s Division One season opened at the Surrey University pool, Guildford (9/10 October).
Liverpool recovered from 5-3 down at one stage to take a narrow lead, with Laura Hesketh scoring five of their goals. But Manchester rallied again and, boosted by four goals from Ella Chadderton, stole the points.
There was another nail-biting finish to the London Penguin Emperors’ clash with City of Sheffield.
Penguin led 7-5 going into the last period. But Sheffield finished the stronger side and, thanks to three goals from Ness Cowton, claimed an 8-8 draw.
Manchester and London Otter were the only sides to take maximum points from the Guildford weekend.
In the London derby, Otter beat Penguin 8-4, with Lindsey Williams claiming four of the Otter goals.
For all the scores and latest table, click on the Division One results page.
women's division 2
cLOSE CALL FOR LONDON PENGUIN KINGS
London Penguin Kings will remain in Division Two next season after narrowly surviving a challenge from Division Three runners-up Carlisle at Walsall (30 January).
The London side looked comfortable as they eased into a 5-2 lead after two quarters. But determined Carlisle began a fightback when Fran Leighton scored twice to cut the lead to a single goal early in the final period.
Carlisle levelled with a goal by Richards with less than two minutes remaining. Only a win would have earned them promotion – but a time-out failed to produce another score and Penguin held out.
Bristol Central, the Division Two runners-up, failed in their promotion bid when they went down 9-7 to Liverpool Liver Birds at Walsall. Bristol trailed 4-1 after two periods and never really threatened after that. Nicola Ross scored four of the Liverpool goals.
COVENTRY BACK IN THE BIG TIME
City of Coventry will return to top flight women’s water polo next season after clinching the Division Two title at Manchester Aquatics Centre (21/22 January) with victories over London Penguin Kings (10-4), Mid Sussex Marlins (11-6) and Solihull (17-5).
Four goals by Elliot proved vital against Penguin. Then Elliot netter six against the Marlins, who trailed 5-0 before managing their first goal.
Bristol were runners-up. They were level at 4-4 with Solihull after three quarters but then three goals by Paolella, who totalled five in the match, swept her side to a 10-4 victory. In their other matches, Bristol beat Manchester Comets 8-6 and London Penguin Kings 12-10.
Hucknall are relegated and London Penguin Kings, who finished level on points with Manchester Comets, face a play-off against second-placed Division Three club Carlisle. Penguin and Manchester achieved one win apiece in their clashes this season, but Manchester avoided the play-offs by virtue of a superior goal difference in those games.
Our picture shows West London Penguin Kings goalkeeper Katie Collins preparing to save from En Loake, of Bristol.
NEW MUM HELPS OUT!
Hucknall were so short of players for Division Two matches at Grantham (15 January) that they had to call up Vicky Taylor – three and a half weeks after she gave birth to a baby girl!
Vicky and her teammates battled hard against London Penguin Kings before going down 12-7.
However, second-placed Bristol Central proved far too strong for makeshift Hucknall. Shears and Holmes both scored seven as Bristol eased to a 29-6 win.
Sheffield Sharks' clash with Solihull proved a real thriller, Sheffield sharing the points at 10-10 when Parkin scored with 11 seconds remaining.
Mid-Sussex Marlins led 3-0 early on against London Penguin Kings and 6-2 at the halfway stage before the London side pulled up to 7-5 at the end of the third. A scoreless final quarter ensured two points for the Marlins.
Coventry remain favourites for the title after completing two more wins – 9-2 against Sheffield and 18-8 against
Manchester.
ABBI (13) INSPIRES SHEFFIELD VICTORY
Thirteen-year-old Abbi Turnbull, of Sheffield Sharks, spent much of the Division Two match against Hucknall as a spectator on the bench – but then made a remarkable impact as a match-winner.
Sheffield were trailing 6-5 when Abbi joined the game in the last quarter. Remarkably, she scored four times, completely transforming the match and earning her side a 9-7 victory.
Coventry lead the division, but only after a couple of matches with dramatic finishes.
Against Solihull, it needed a goal 55 seconds from the end by Danielle Elliott to clinch their 11-10 win.
Coventry ended the third quarter against second-placed Bristol with a 10-9 lead. But in the end they had to settle for a point – Bristol’s Paula Manning scored the only goal of the final period with a minute remaining.
London Penguin Kings claimed their first victory of the season. They were just 6-5 ahead against Manchester Comets at
the start of the final period but, with six-goal Sonia Spearing in fine form, eased clear to win 13-8.
SHEARS MAGIC - LAURA NETS 24!
Bristol’s Laura Shears scored a remarkable 24 goals as her side stepped up the pressure on Division Two leaders Coventry with three victories at Ponds Forge, Sheffield (23/24 October).
She warmed up with six in an 11-7 defeat of Solihull and followed up with six more against Manchester, who went down 10-5.
Then Shears cut Hucknall to pieces with a haul of 12 in a runaway 24-2 victory.
Coventry won their three matches – against London Penguin Kings (14-5), Mid Sussex Marlins (11-5) and Manchester (13-7).
Solihull slipped down the table after suffering three defeats. They were 7-4 up against Hucknall but then tired and were beaten 12-10 thanks to four goals in the final quarter from L Woodfield.
It was even closer against Sheffield Sharks. Solihull recovered from 5-3 down to level at 6-6, only for Victoria Vallence to grab a winner for Sheffield at 7-6.
Action photo: Jenny Saunders, Manchester.
AMILIA’S LATE WINNER
Coventry were the only team to emerge with a 100 per cent record after the first weekend of competition in Division Two at Grantham.
Their successes included a 10-9 victory over newly-promoted Bristol, who lost out to a goal by Amilia Gale with just 17 seconds remaining. Coventry had built an early lead but then found the well-organised Bristol defence hard to break down and trailed 7-6 at the end of the third period.
In the tightest of finishes, Bristol led 9-8 before a penalty converted by Elliot with just over a minute left put Coventry level again. Then Gale slotted the winner.
Coventry comfortably defeated Hucknall 15-5 and followed up with a 12-4 defeat of Sheffield Sharks.
Bristol gained consolation following the Coventry defeat with a 9-2 win against Sheffield Sharks and an exciting 8-7 victory over Mid Sussex Marlins. The Sussex team showed great spirit in fighting back from two goals down at one point to level the match at 6-6 after three periods.
In a tense final period, Charlotte Bates put the Marlins ahead, only for Bristol’s Rendall to equalise. Marlins then had a player excluded and Paula Manning’s goal earned Bristol the points at 8-7.
Mid Sussex Marlins won their other matches – 6-5 against Solihull and 12-8 against Manchester. There were also two victories for Solihull – 10-4 over London Penguin Kings and 7-6 over Manchester.
Action photo shows Caroline Francis, of Manchester.
women's division 3
carlisle's brave rally in vain
Division Three runners-up Carlisle narrowly failed to earn promotion when they were held to a 5-5 draw by London Penguin Kings, the seventh-placed Division Two side, in the play-off at Walsall (30 January).
The London side looked comfortable as they eased into a 5-2 lead after two quarters. But determined Carlisle began a fightback when Fran Leighton scored twice to cut the lead to a single goal early in the final period.
Carlisle levelled with a goal by Richards with less than two minutes remaining. Only a win would have earned them promotion – but a time-out failed to produce another score and Penguin held out.
It was a good weekend all round for Penguin because four goals by Nora Benko helped Division Four side, the Rockhoppers, defeat Invicta 8-7 in the play-off for a place in Division Three.
Invicta were level at 3-3 after two quarters but Penguin grabbed control in the third, taking a 7-4 lead. Towards the
end, Invicta rallied again but missed a couple of chances and will drop to Division Four next season. Laura Hues (2)
and Liz Norcroft (2) were the other Penguin scorers.
SCOTS girls CELEBRATE PROMOTION
The clash between leaders Caledonia and Carlisle was always destined to decide the Division Three title at Manchester Aquatics Centre (21/22 January) and so it was no surprise that the game was a close affair.
It ended in a 4-4 draw, earning the Scots the championship but at the same time giving a considerable boost to Carlisle’s confidence before the play-offs.
The game was close all the way through. A goal by Matthews put Caledonia 4-3 ahead early in the last period before Barker claimed an all-important equaliser for Carlisle three minutes from the finish.
At the other end of the table, Invicta failed in a bold attempt to avoid a play-off place. They beat Cardiff 9-7 after starting the last period at 6-6. But they could only claim a point in a later 5-5 draw with Otter Lutra.
Otter’s 14-3 victory over bottom club City of Birmingham included hat-tricks for Bew, Freeman and Mulcahy.
OTTER LUTRA ON THE CHARGE
Caledonia’s 100 per cent record at the top of Division Three ended when they crashed 9-6 to London Otter Lutra at Walsall (27/28 November) after leading 3-0 in the first quarter.
It was a great weekend all round for Otter, who beat South Derbyshire 16-5 and then defeated another promotion-chasing team, Carlisle, 6-5 thanks to a goal just over two minutes from the end by Bew.
Liverpool Water Beatles also recorded a hat-trick of wins to move up to fourth place. But it was a close call against Cardiff – it needed a goal 31 seconds from the end by Jenny Quirk to take the points at 13-12. Jo Mountfield and Alex McCarthy both scored four for Liverpool; Poole netted four for Cardiff.
Bottom club Birmingham lost their three matches, despite outstanding performances by goalkeeper Sammy Owen.
ALICE GRABS POINT FOR OTTER
London Otter Lutra looked down and out when they trailed 6-0 against Liverpool Water Beatles in the latest Division Three weekend at Watford (6/7 November).
Jo Mountfield, who finished with four goals, was the dominant player for Liverpool up to that point. But then Otter launched a recovery, pulling up to 7-3 at the end of the third quarter and then 7-5. As excitement mounted, the margin was cut to one goal by Emma Shkurka. Then, with just 29 seconds remaining, Alice Rogers’ third goal of the match clinched a 7-7 draw.
Caledonia retained their 100 per cent record at the top of the table, beating Birmingham 14-1, Liverpool Water Beatles 9-6 and Cardiff 9-3. The Birmingham match featured five goals by Julia McKay.
Carlisle also won their three games – against the Water Beatles (11-7), Invicta (8-4) and South Derbyshire (12-5) – to maintain pressure on the Scots.
Cardiff and South Derbyshire drew 7-7 when Cardiff’s E North scored an equaliser a minute from the end. Invicta withstood a late Birmingham rally to win 7-6, with J Willett and Anna Newell both scoring twice.
SIX-GOAL JOANNE STARS FOR LIVERPOOL
Joanne Mountfield’s experience improved decisive as Liverpool Water Beatles stole an 8-7 victory over Cardiff Ladies in the latest Division Three weekend at Walsall ((16/17 October).
The ex-international (pictured, right) scored six. And that included the winner with just five seconds left when she scored from a direct shot just outside five metres. The result was tough on Cardiff who led for long periods of the game and showed much improved form – as demonstrated by victories over Birmingham (8-5) and Invicta (12-6) in their other games.
In the top-of-the-table clash between two previously undefeated sides, Caledonia triumphed 9-4 against Carlisle. The match was closer than the final score suggests. But three goals from Julie McKay and two more from GB junior Nicola Tate made the difference.
The picture on the right shows Anna Newell, of Invicta in action. Photos by Mike Hesketh.
SAM INSPIRES CARLISLE’S WINNING START
Newly-promoted Carlisle made an emphatic start to the Division Three season at Blackpool (25/26 September), notching three convincing victories against South Derbyshire (15-3), Invicta (14-4) and Cardiff (14-4). Sam Barker was their star performer, scoring a total of 14 goals.
Caledonia also maintained a 100 per cent record, beating Liverpool Water Beatles 9-5, Cardiff 15-nil and London Otter Lutra 7-4. GB junior Nichola Tate scored five against Cardiff.
Cardiff and Otter Lutra fought out a 2-2 draw – defences held out throughout the final quarter. Otter also beat Liverpool 11-8, but only after Liverpool, led by veteran Jo Mountfield, recovered from 4-0 down in the first quarter to trail only 6-4 at the halfway stage.
Liverpool followed up with an 11-6 victory over Birmingham, whose goalkeeper Sammy Owen kept her team in the game with some athletic saves.
Birmingham also suffered a narrow 8-6 defeat to Invicta, with their major count of 11 a decisive factor. Anna Newell led from the front and scored four.
Our picture shows Invicta's Richard Collins doing his best to lift his team during the match against South Derbyshire.
women's division 4
ROCKHOPPERS ON THE WAY UP
Four goals by Nora Benko helped Division Four runners-up, London Penguin Rockhoppers, defeat Invicta 8-7 in the end-of-season play-off at Walsall (30 January).
Invicta, seventh in Division Three this season, were level at 3-3 after two quarters but Penguin grabbed control in
the third, taking a 7-4 lead. Towards the end, Invicta rallied again but missed a couple of chances and will drop to
the fourth tier next season. Laura Hues (2) and Liz Norcroft (2) were the other Penguin scorers.
SUNDERLAND TAKE DIVISION FOUR HONOURS
Sunderland clinched the Division Four title after a tense finale at Manchester Aquatics Centre (21/22 January.
Wins from their last two matches would have put Sunderland in the clear. But they struggled to overcome second-placed London Penguin Rockhoppers in their first game and had to settle for a 9-9 draw.
Four goals by Anna Richardson, the division’s top scorer, earned Sunderland an 8-6 lead at the start of the last quarter. Then Rockhoppers rallied and, thanks to three goals by Benko, briefly claimed a one goal lead. Sunderland pressed again and eventually an ambitious lob from Crawford clinched a draw – with just one second remaining on the clock.
Later, Rockhoppers were involved in another cliffhanger – a Benko goal 53 seconds from the end squared the London derby against Polytechnic at 7-7.
All this left Sunderland needing a win over Southampton in the final game of the season. It proved reasonably straightforward. Sunderland won 9-4 – including a goal by BWPL treasurer Judi Clayton.
Rockhoppers took runners-up spot to qualify for the play-offs.
ALL SET FOR TITLE DECIDER
The Division Four title will be decided on 21 January when, appropriately, the two top sides – Sunderland and London Penguin Rockhoppers – meet for the third time.
After the latest programme of matches at Hucknall (11 December), Sunderland hold a one point lead. Previous meetings between the teams this season resulted in a draw and a victory for the London side.
Sunderland almost slipped up at Hucknall against the other London side, Polytechnic. After the first period, Poly led 4-1. But the sides were level by half-time – and Sunderland just managed to hold out in the end for a 9-8 win.
Rockhoppers also had to work hard to overcome Southampton. The game was level all the way through until Rockhoppers claimed an 11-9 win in the final quarter.
Earlier, Rockhoppers beat Manchester Dolphins 14-11 – but only after the Manchester side reduced a five-goal deficit to just two in the late stages.
ROCKHOPPERS LEAP TO SECOND PLACE
Sunderland remain leaders of Division Four despite losing for the first time this season – 9-5 to London Penguin Rockhoppers at Gloucester (20 November).
They also found the going hard against Southampton, trailing by three goals in the third quarter but then recovering to win 7-6.
Rockhoppers moved up to second place ahead of Southampton by chalking up a second win – 9-7 over London rivals Polytechnic. They were five goals ahead and cruising at the halfway stage but Poly then staged a great fightback which cut the deficit to two in the final quarter.
Manchester could hardly have made a worse start against Polytechnic. Two of their players made the mistake of entering the pitch in the mistaken belief that a goal had been given and were wrapped.
To their credit, the depleted Manchester team levelled in the third period. But the loss of another player to three majors left them to battle with six in the final stages and Poly took advantage to win 7-5.
SUNDERLAND IN CHARGE
Sunderland increased their lead in Division Four with two more wins at Basingstoke (6 November) – but it wasn’t all straightforward against Polytechnic.
Poly battled with great determination, trailing in the first two periods but then drawing level in the third. It was only then that Sunderland managed to pull clear and secure the points with a 12-7 victory.
There was a real topsy-turvy battle between Sunderland’s main rivals, Southampton and London Penguin Rockhoppers, which ended appropriately in an 11-11 draw. Southampton stormed ahead in the early stages to build a six-goal lead – which they managed to lose by the start of the final period, when Penguin levelled at 9-9. Penguin then went 11-9 up – only to be pegged back in the last minute as Southampton scored from a man-up and a penalty.
Youthful Manchester Dolphins were no match for Sunderland, who won 24-9 – including eight goals by top scorer Anna Richardson.
ROCKHOPPERS HOLD LEADERS SUNDERLAND
Sunderland dropped a point in an 8-8 draw with London Penguin Rockhoppers at Newport (16 October) but remain unbeaten at the top of the table. They were 5-3 up at the end of the first quarter and stayed ahead until Rockhoppers hit back in the last couple of minutes.
In their other match, Sunderland outplayed previously undefeated Southampton 14-7. Southampton were unable to contain Anna Richardson, last season’s top scorer, who netted seven.
Three first quarter goals by Grace Morley gave a young Manchester team a great start against Polytechnic. Manchester held a lead until the start of the fourth period, when Poly took charge in the final three and half minutes to win 12-7.
Poly left a rally too late against the Rockhoppers, fighting back from 5-1 in arrears in the third period but eventually going down 6-4.
Grace Morley bagged another five goals for Manchester against Southampton, taking her tally to 11 in two matches, but it wasn’t sufficient to save her side from a 15-7 defeat.
ANNA HITS SEVEN
Sunderland emerged as front-runners after the first day of competition in Division Four at Middlesbrough (25 September), winning both their matches.
They began by defeating Polytechnic 10-8. There was never much between the sides – the score was level on five occasions – but Sunderland came through despite surviving a player short foo four minutes following a brutality offence.
In their second match, Sunderland were far too good for a young Manchester team, scoring six without reply in the first quarter and eventually winning 14-7. Anna Richardson, the division’s top goal-scorer last season, netted seven for Sunderland.
Newcomers Southampton made a good start, recovering from 6-4 down early in the final period to draw 6-6 with Poly. Southampton then secured a good 11-6 victory over Penguin Rockhoppers.