Blog Archives

NOMINATIONS FOR NEW TROPHIES

31/1/2015

It's not too late to send in your nominations for two new British League annual awards - the male and female Columbus Direct Most Valuable Player of the Season.

The trophies, donated by BWPL sponsors Columbus Direct, the travel insurance company, will recognise the influence of individuals who have been an inspiration to their team - from any division in the League - and contributed positively to BWPL. We're not necessarily seeking the players considered the "best" in the League in terms of performance.

The winners will be named by BWPL President Pippa Jones at the League annual meeting in April. To nominate, please contact Pippa at pippa.jones@bwpl.org.

GB PAIR SHARE TROPHY

27/1/2015

The British League women's top goal scorer trophy this season will be shared by two Great Britain team mates - Coventry's Fran Clayton and Fiona McCann, of Liverpool Lizards.

The award is based on matches in the Super 5s and Fran and Fiona both finished the campaign with 21 goals.

There was a clear and deserved winner in men's Super 5s - Lancaster's Tom Curwen, who totalled 33.

Go to statistics page for leading scorers and exclusions in all divisions.

KEY JOB FOR IAN ELLIOT

27/1/2015

Ian Elliot, coach to Coventry's British League women's team, has been appointed Manager of the ASA Water Polo Management Group.

The Group will plan development of the sport in England over the next few years, using as a framework recommendations set out in the Tunnicliffe review document.

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR TO BWPL!

25/1/2015

The British League has had a truly international flavour this season, attracting visiting LEN referees from Denmark, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. UK-based internationally-qualified officials from Barbados, Belgium and Germany have also featured.

It was perhaps appropriate then that, when the season reached its spectacular climax with the Cheltenham-Lancaster clash (see below), the refs in charge were Peter Balzan, of Malta, and Denmark's Martin Kristensen.

Both feature in this line-up of refs at the Guildford finals weekend. Left to right: Damien Taylor, Geoff Kirkham, Mike Jukes, delegate Brian Littlejohn, Tad Detko, Martin Kristensen and Peter Balzan.

CHELTENHAM WIN SUPER FIVES THRILLER

25/1/2015

Cheltenham took it to the wire before clinching the men's Super 5s title at Guildford with a 14-13 victory over Lancaster.

There could hardly have been a more appropriate final match of the season, which saw the League's two outstanding men's teams slug it out for four high-octane quarters.

Two brilliant goals from Rob Parker - heavily marked in the centre-forward position - helped Cheltenham secure a 9-7 lead after two quarters. Turning point of the game came in the next period when Cheltenham, leading 10-9, had two men excluded. Lancaster couldn't take advantage - goalkeeper Sam Legge made a great last-ditch save - and Cheltenham promptly counter-attacked to score a fine lobbed goal by David Taylor and a long-distance effort by Jake Vincent.

That wasn't the end of Lancaster, who provided nerve-racking moments for Cheltenham supporters as the score levelled at 13-13.

A draw would have made Cheltenham champions by a point. But they made sure of victory when Adam Legge converted a man-up chance just over a minute from the end. The trophy and medals were presented by BWPL life member Dr Mike Clark.

Cheltenham line-up, back row, left to right: Will Rayson, Max Gerasimov, Joel Thomas, Ben Matthews, Mike Thomas, Sam Legge. Front: Mark Banwell, Will Middleton, Matt Jenner, Guive Shafie, Jerry Birmingham (assistant coach), Jake Vincent, David Taylor, Adam Legge, James Ross (coach), Rob Parker.

LIVERPOOL RECEIVE TROPHY

25/1/2015

Brian Littlejohn, Great Britain's Olympic referee, presented the women's Super 5s trophy to Liverpool Lizards' captain Fiona McCann at Surrey Sports Park, Guildford, today (25 January).

It was Liverpool's first title and the third different winner in the competition's four years. They rounded off an unbeaten campaign by defeating Coventry 10-5, including four goals by McCann.

Pictured with coach Gordon Dacre are (left to right, back row): Fiona McCann, Rosemary Morris, Katherine Fowler, Laura Hesketh, Sophie Gilbert and Hazel Musgrove. Front: Katie Hesketh, Grace Rowland, Meritxell Escoda Manzano, Rachel Drabble.

Earlier, goals in the final quarter by Casey Smith, Ella Chadderton, Rosie Egan and Rosie Huck gave Manchester a 12-8 victory over last year's Super 5s champions Otter after the sides began the final period at 8-8.

LANCASTER SET UP TITLE DECIDER

24/1/2015

Cheltenham and Lancaster will meet in a men's Super 5s title decider at Surrey Sports Park, Guildford, tomorrow (25 January) after Lancaster kept themselves in the hunt with a 10-7 victory over Manchester.

Lancaster were always ahead after building a 3-1 first quarter lead. Young goalkeeper Dylan Green made several excellent saves for Manchester, but Tom Curwen led the way for Lancaster with four goals. Alex Parsonage contributed three.

LIVERPOOL WIN SUPER FIVES

24/1/2015

Liverpool Lizards had to work hard to beat City of Manchester 4-3 in women's Super 5s at Guildford but it was enough to ensure the title for the first time.

It wasn't until the later stages of the third period that Liverpool edged ahead for the first time at 3-2 thanks to a Fiona McCann goal. Katie Fowler added another at the start of the fourth.

Manchester rallied after that and scored through Ella Chadderton. They had further chances but found Liverpool's goalkeeper Rosie Morris (pictured) in good form and couldn't convert a couple of man-up opportunities late on.

LAST QUARTER FIGHTBACK GIVES SHEFFIELD VICTORY

24/1/2015

Sheffield Sharks refused to be demoralised by defeats in their first six women's Super 5s matches as they mounted a stunning last quarter fightback to beat Otter 15-14 at Guildford.

Otter led 8-3 at the halfway stage and looked in no danger. And it was still 13-8 to the London side at the start of the last quarter. But there was no stopping Sheffield after that - they levelled at 13-13 with a Kate Parkin goal two and half minutes from the end. Elizabeth Dunn scored for Otter but gallant Sheffield grabbed the points as Parkin scored her third goal with 44 seconds left and Victoria Ibbertson fired a long-distance winner - with seven seconds remaining on the clock.

Bernice Cowton and Laura Swift both scored four for Sheffield.

CHELTENHAM STROLL TO VITAL WIN

24/1/2015

Cheltenham opened their bid for the men's British League Super 5s title with a runaway 16-5 victory over Bristol Central at Surrey Sports Park, Guildford, today.

They were seven goals up midway through the second quarter before Bristol registered their first score. Bristol scorers: David Taylor (4), Will Middleton (3), Joel Thomas (3), Guive Shafie (2), Mike Thomas, Ben Matthews, Matt Jenner, Jake Vincent.

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