Otter claimed third place in the women's Champions Cup at Coventry today by defeating Coventry 18-11. Lucy Bullock (5) and Katy Cutler (4) led the Otter scoring; six of the Coventry goals were scored by Vicki Hawkins.

Lancaster's depleted team produced a spirited performance against Solihull in the men's third place game before losing 12-10.

Six unanswered goals in the first period set City of Manchester girls on the way to victory over Otter in the opening match of the new BWPL Champions Cup event at Coventry today.

The day began with a minute's silence as a tribute to two BWPL life members who died recently - ex-President Pippa Jones and former NWPL men's chairman Steve Monico.

Annie Clapperton, top BWPL goal scorer this season, once again led the way for Manchester, netting four of the first quarter goals. Otter rallied later and Katy Cutler hit the target three times - but Manchester were never seriously threatened and will now face Liverpool Lizards in tomorrow's gold medal match. Liverpool defeated Coventry 11-4.

Manchester's men also progressed to tomorrow's title game, beating Solihull 12-8. The Midlanders led 2-0 at the end of the first period, thanks to two goals by Arthur Davies. But Manchester recovered to go 3-2 up when Joe O'Regan scored one of his five goals at the end of the second quarter and were able to control the rest of the game.

Tomorrow's gold medal game will be between Manchester and Cheltenham, who eased through with a 24-8 victory over an understrength Lancaster team.

Photos (Trevor Hyde) - Above: Annie Clapperton scores the first goal for Manchester against Otter, shrugging off a tackle from Katy Cutler. The other Otter player is Lucy Bullock. Below: Joe O'Regan in dynamic action for Manchester men.

Steve Monico, BWPL Life Member and former men’s National League Chairman, has died at his Bedford home following an illness.

His many years of outstanding service to water polo began as a player with his home town club Bedford. Then, in 2002, Steve took over as an inspiring chairman of the NWPL, a position he retained until his retirement at the League’s final annual meeting in 2010 (NWPL’s amalgamation with the National Women’s League to form BWPL followed later that year).

His achievements included the launch of the NWPL website, forerunner of the current BWPL site.

Steve, a chartered accountant with his own Bedford-based business, was a keen golfer and a past Chairman of the Bedfordshire Golf Club.
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BWPL offers its condolences to Steve’s wife Judi and sons Rohan and Adam.

The funeral takes place at Bedford Crematorium on Wednesday, 1 June, 1.45, followed by a wake at Bedford Rugby Club.

It is with great sadness that BWPL today (29 April) announces the death of the League’s immediate past-President Pippa Jones, former GB international and one of the sport’s most respected coaches and administrators.

Pippa was appointed President in 2013. In theory, this was to be for a three-year term, but, typically, she took on the role with such enthusiasm and effectiveness that she was asked to remain in office – and did so for a total of seven years.

A member of the City of Sheffield club, Pippa served the sport in so many ways over many years. Until comparatively recently, she was still playing for English Roses in BWPL. She also served the League as a delegate.

The entire water polo community will offer their condolences to Denry, son Joel, who plays for City of Manchester, and family. 

Photo (Trevor Hyde): Pippa pictured last October when she presented the BWPL President’s chain to her successor, Trevor Pledger. Also in the photo is ex-President Gordon Dacre.

We’re all set for the launch of the BWPL’s exciting Champions Cup – at the Alan Higgs Centre, Coventry, on 14/15 May.

For the men’s and women’s winners, there will be wonderful new trophies, generously donated in memory, respectively, of Fred Holehouse, of Invicta, and Mike Glover OBE, former ASA President, BWPL Life Member and the driving force behind creation of the City of Manchester club.

The top four teams in this year’s men’s and women’s Super 5s will be taking part – Manchester, Cheltenham, Lancaster and Solihull men; Manchester, Liverpool, Coventry and Otter women. The refereeing line-up includes Tokyo Olympics official Frank Ohme, of Germany.
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See fixtures page for programme details.

Northampton, Chester and Avondale willl compete in men's Division 5 next season after grabbing the top three places in an exciting qualifying tournament at Haberdashers today.

The very last match proved crucial as Northampton beat Colchester 4-1. Colchester had looked odds on to progress after winning all three matches on Saturday. But, prior to the Northampton defeat, they also lost 6-3 to Chester - and this meant they missed out altogether along with Radcliffe and Bedford. 
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The women's qualifier at Walsall was also closely contested. Scottish representaties Kirkintilloch & Kilsyth started the second day by losing 1-0  to Liverpool Water Beatles. Later, however, they beat Sunderland 9-7 - enough to ensure a place in Division 3 next September along with Manchester Comets and Solihull. Sunderland and the Water Beatles lost out.

There are likely to be some new names competing in BWPL next season.

At today’s men’s qualification tournament at Haberdashers, Colchester won their three half matches – 6-3 against Bedford, 5-1 against Radcliffe and then 6-2 against Avondale, including a hat-trick by Zach Beale.
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In the women’s qualifier at Walsall, Scottish challengers Kintilloch & Kilsyth took three points from two games, beating Solihull 4-2 and drawing 4-4 with Manchester Comets, who scored a final equaliser 28 seconds from the end by 15-year-old Lily Pryce. 

Durham Palatinates have withdrawn from the League – resulting in an end of season bonus for two teams!

The vacancy in men’s Division 4 next September will now be filled by Caledonia Storm, the fourth-placed team in Championship 4, who were due to play in Division 5.

Cambridge, sixth in Division 5 in the first phase of this season, reclaim a place in that division instead of taking part in this weekend’s qualifying tournament at Haberdashers.
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The Haberdashers programme has been rescheduled as a six-team competition, see https://data.bwpl.org/web/fixtures/bwpl4dM1. The women’s qualification tournament also takes place this weekend, at Walsall.

City of Manchester today celebrated their third consecutive Super 5s double, their girls making sure of the women's title with a 9-2 victory over Otter at Coventry today (27 March). Trophies and medals were presented by BWPL President Trevor Pledger.

Altogether it's been a memorable season for the club. Manchester Hawks won men's Championship 2 to make it a treble success.
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Manchester never looked back against Otter after taking a 4-0 lead in the first period. Scorers were Brooke Tafazolli (2), Annie Clapperton (2), Izzy Howe, Emma Bartlett, Rosie Huck, Liv Henderson and Harriet Dickens.

Manchester's men lost their final game of the campaign as Cheltenham rounded off a terrific second half of the Super 5s programme with a 13-11 victory. This included six goals from the outstanding Joe Hubble. Cheltenham finished runners-up to Manchester.

Photo: Trevor Hyde.

Solihull claimed the fourth slot in the men's Champions Cup when they triumphed 11-9 in a winner-takes-all clash with City of Sheffield in the Super 5s at Coventry today.

No one enjoyed the Solihull celebrations more than evergreen Gary Tonks, still going strong at the age of 58 - a mere matter of 44 years since his National League debut for Aston! He scored two of his side's goals.

Sheffield had their chances but lost their way in the last period, which started with the score tied at 8-8. Solihull quickly went ahead with goals by Arthur Davies and Pawal Wielogorski, only for Connor Carpenter to reply from a man-up chance. Ryan Padbury added the final Solihull score one second from the end.

For Sheffield, who had battled so well in two meeting with champions City of Manchester, there was the disappointment of failing to qualify. Manchester, Lancaster, Cheltenham and Solihull will contest the first men's Champions Cup. 
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Liverpool Lizards rounded off their women's Super 5s season with a 10-4 defeat of Coventry.

Photo (Trevor Hyde): Solihull's  Peter Farkas (blue cap) battles with Chris Armstrong, of Sheffield.