BWPL clubs could find themselves targeting a three-point win next season – and facing the drama of penalty shoot-outs when games are drawn.

The League Committee have agreed that new World Aquatics regulations, also adopted by European Aquatics, should be introduced in all divisions.

This would mean every match being played to a finish. So, when a draw occurs after four periods, the outcome will be decided on a penalty shoot-out, with points awarded as follows:

Win in regular time - three points
Win after penalty shoot-out - two
Loss after penalty shoot-out - one
Loss in regular time  - no points

The new system requires a change in BWPL rules. Therefore, before the new system can be introduced, there will be an opportunity for clubs to have their say at the League annual meeting, which takes place online on Sunday, 2 June, 1pm. Clubs will be notified of logon details.

Bridgefield were pushed all the way by City of Birmingham in the men’s promotion tournament at Haberdashers today (21 April) before completing their third win of the weekend and ensuring a place in Division 3 next season.

The teams were level at 5-5 after two periods and 7-7 after three. Tom Curwen immediately edged Bridgefield in front before Ryan Padbury equalised for Birmingham. Curwen then hit the winner to make the final score 9-8, neither side managing a goal during the remaining five minutes.
​
The other promotion spot went to Cheltenham Spartans, who beat Castleford 15-12. Alex Hall scored six for Castleford, who drop out of BWPL next season along with Birmingham.

Kirkintilloch & Kilsyth and Watford won twice on day two of the women’s promotion tournament at Haberdashers today (21 April) – guaranteeing that both will head for Division 2 at the start of the 2024/25 season.

The Scots overpowered Otter Lutra 19-6, including hat-tricks for Isla Macdonald and Carolina Ioannou, and then defeated City of Bristol 11-7.

The Bristol game was close at the start – 4-4 after the first period - but K&K took charge in the second, scoring six times without reply through Carolina Ioannou (2), Eugenia Arbus (2), Chloe Kirkwood and Isla Macdonald.
​
Earlier, Watford beat Bristol 9-3, including three goals by Lottie Winstanley (Photo: Trevor Hyde). 

Watford and their Scottish rivals Kirkintilloch & Kilsyth served up another thriller in the women’s promotion tournament at Haberdashers today (20 April), ending up all square at 10-10 after the most dramatic of finishes.

The teams had locked horns earlier in the season, when Watford’s 13-12 win earned them top spot in Division 3, with K & K as runners-up.

It seemed that K&K would get the upper hand this time, as they secured a 6-3 lead early in the third period. But the game went to 9-9 in the final quarter before Francesca Cornaglia’s goal edged K&K 10-9 ahead with 14 seconds remaining.

That wasn’t the end of it because a K&K exclusion seven seconds from the end offered Watford one more chance of levelllng – which they took thanks to Anna Leeson three seconds from the final hooter!
​
City of Bristol defeated Otter Lutra 7-5. A close match saw Otter trailing only 6-5 when Roisin Cunningham-Smyth netted with 3.50 to go, but, within another minute, Imogen Smith’s strike assured success for Bristol.

​Bridgefield made sure of retaining a place in BWPL as they chalked up a second win of the day in the men’s promotion tournament at Haberdashers (20 April).

Tom Curwen (Photo: Trevor Hyde), a prolific marksman for so many years on behalf of Lancaster, scored nine for his local club as they beat Cheltenham Spartans 19-12. Earlier, Bridgefield had defeated Castleford 13-5.

With the top two qualifying for Division 3 next season, Cheltenham Spartans are not out of the picture. Boosted by their earlier 21-11 victory over Birmingham, they face Castleford in their final game tomorrow, while Birmingham meet Bridgefield. 

Cheltenham Spartans and Bridgefield struck the first key blows in the four-team men’s qualification tournament at Haberdashers today. The top two in the competition stay in the League next season – with the third and fourth teams dropping out.

The Spartans fielded an experienced team and it was two of their former first team regulars, Mark Banwell and Rob Parker (Photo: Trevor Hyde), who played leading roles in a 21-11 defeat of City of Birmingham. Banwell hit seven and Parker six. Michael Thomas, another ex-first teamer, was also among the scorers.

Bridgefield beat Castleford 13-5 in the other men’s game.
​

Swim England are staging a water polo Pathway Coaching Conference at Sport Park, Loughborough University campus, on Saturday 25 May – and it’s free to those taking part.

The event is aimed at coaches of all levels and includes presentations by Hungarian national team coach Gergely Lukacs, leading coach developer Paul Connelly and a member of the Great Britain’s women’s team from this year’s World and European Championships squad.

​Deadline for signing up is 18 May For more information, go to https://www.swimming.org/waterpolo/water-polo-coaching-conference-2024/