Yes, FINA water polo rules are changing again – from 1 January. And BWPL will be implementing these in phase two of the season.

FINA (now known as World Aquatics) has recommended that all “new” competitions should adopt the new rules after 1 January. And while BWPL’s season is at the half way point, the Committee accepted a BWPL Delegate Group recommendation to make the move now – as, effectively, we will be in a completely different phase of the programme.

Importantly, it was also felt that implementation would be helpful in supporting national squads preparing for qualification tournaments.

You will find details of the new rules on this website’s Info page. British Swimming and Swim England will be circulating all other leagues with details of the changes.

Fixtures for the second phase of the season are now published on the website. See fixtures pages.

Men’s and women’s Super 5s share the same venues throughout, beginning at Aldershot, 21/22 January, followed by Ponds Forge (11/12 February), Coventry (4/5 March) and Haberdashers (1/2 April).
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Women’s Championship 1 launches at East Manchester (21/22 January) while games in men’s Championship 1 and Championship 2 start at Bolton and Haberdashers  (28/29 January).

Cheltenham had to wait until the conclusion of the third men's Division 1 game at Haberdashers today (11 December) before confirming their place alongside Penguin, Polytechnic, Manchester and Lancaster in the Super 5s.

At the start of the day, Cheltenham were up against Sheffield, who knew they would qualify for the Super 5s with a win or draw. Cheltenham triumphed 11-7, putting Super 5s qualification firmly in their sights - providing Invicta didn't beat Manchester in game three. 

Two points for Invicta would have put them level on points with Cheltenham - but with the Super 5s slot going to Invicta by virtue of their 14-13 win against Cheltenham earlier in the season! In the end, all the conjecture was unnecessary - Manchester resolved the dilemma for Cheltenham by winning 8-4. 
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Cheltenham took a while to settle against Sheffield and trailed 4-2 before taking charge, including a couple of fine goals from Charlie Brogan in the centre-forward position. Penguin completed an undefeated season with a runaway 28-10 victory over Caledonia.

Photo, above (Trevor Hyde): Charlie Brogan in action against Sheffield today.

Penguin and Manchester fought out a thrilling 9-9 draw in men's Division 1 at Haberdashers today - a tasty dress rehearsal for two more crunch battles between the sides in the Super 5s.

A point apiece enabled Penguin to retain an unbeaten record - and removed any remote doubt about reigning champions Manchester also qualifying for phase two.

Manchester led 4-2 when Fraser Duggan scored early in the third period. But in no time - 102 seconds, to be precise - Penguin had grabbed a 5-4 advantage. It was 8-7 to Penguin after three; then 9-7. Then Jordan Elliot came to the rescue for Manchester, scoring twice to salvage a point. 

Polytechnic made sure of progress to the Super 5s, defeating Invicta 15-9, and, later, Sheffield, 17-6. Earlier, Sheffield beat Caledonia 15-10. Cheltenham won 13-8 against Lancaster.

The make-up of the Super 5s is now taking shape. Penguin, Polytechnic, Manchester and Lancaster all go through. Tomorrow's clash between Cheltenham and Sheffield could be significant in deciding the fifth team.

Photo (Trevor Hyde): Tilemachos Pissas nets one of his four goals for Penguin against Manchester today.

The balance of power in BWPL men’s polo has been shifting this season, much of it due to the resurgence of London rivals Penguin and Polytechnic.

All of which makes the remaining weekend of phase one – the 10-game Division 1 programme at Haberdashers' Boys' School on 10/11 December – such a mouth-watering prospect.

On paper, Penguin, who have won all their five games so far, are the only team already guaranteed a Super 5s spot, although Lancaster and reigning champions City of Manchester appear to be on target to join them.

What a season Penguin have enjoyed! And what a contrast to their fortunes in the period since the launch of the Super 5s 11 years ago. Penguin took part in the first season, but since then have been out of the picture, spending five years down in Championship 2.

Poly, multiple champions of the former men’s National League, have also been out of sorts in recent seasons, making it only once before to the Super 5s – in 2017/18. They start the final weekend with two wins from four games – and three to play.
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Can they make it this time? Which three teams will miss out and head for Championship 1. We’ll know after a heavyweight weekend of games at Habs.

Photo (Trevor Hyde): Poly's Kimon Haralambous, scorer of 12 goals so far this season.