LANCASTER OUT TO MAKE WATER POLO HISTORY
Lancaster's men are bidding to make history at this weekend's
British National Water Polo Championships at the Manchester
Aquatics Centre. The all-conquering squad aim to rewrite the
record books by becoming the first British club to win a fifth
successive title, while defending women's champions Sheffield
are gunning for a hat-trick of consecutive titles.
Last year Lancaster beat arch-rivals Bristol 10-6 in a closely-fought
final, while Sheffield emerged comfortable 7-2 victors over
Liverpool in the women's showcase. Top teams Bristol, Penguin
and Portobello are missing from this year's semi-finals, but
with hosts Manchester, Cheltenham and newcomers Welsh Wanderers
in the mix, Lancaster coach Duncan Holmes knows his ambitious
team face a tough test of their character.
"It does get harder every year we try and defend the
title," admitted Holmes. "The lads find it hard
to motivate themselves and train sometimes, but all credit
to them because they always work and prepare hard because
they know the national title is at stake. "We've not
played a game to get into the semi-finals because we've had
a bye and had other teams drop out of the competition, but
we've still got two games to win if want to make it five titles
in a run."
Indeed, and the defending champions will have to try and
retain their crown without experienced Great Britain goalkeeper
David Bush - who is moving house - while fellow international
Neil Bowers, who is taking a rest from the game, will not
be playing. However, with star players Tom Curwin, Andy Squires
and ex-international Colin Burgess all still going strong,
as well as promising youngsters James Wannop, Glen Robinson
and Anthony Trafford in the team, Lancaster are looking strong.
"It's a good chance for some of our younger players
to make names for themselves," added Holmes. "We'll
miss Neil and Dave, but Zac Sly (a proming GB junior) will
play in net and we've got a good blend of youth and experience.
It should be a great tournament. "There's not going to
be an easy matches, but we're confident of our chances. We
love playing at the National Championships."
If Lancaster do win this year they will have won seven out
of the last nine national championships, adding to their impressive
record of eight out of 10 National Water Polo League titles.
In the women's competition, Sheffield, who won the national
title in 2004 and 2005, are confident of winning their third
national title in a row. And although competition for honours
will be fierce this year, with the competition returning to
the same venue, Sheffield are confident of winning national
honours one again despite injuries to key members of their
team. "It's going to be hard, but the girls are up for
it," revealed club secretary Denry Leighton.
"We're going to be taking nothing for granted because
the opposition is very good and it will depend on who plays
the best on the day. "But we want to defend our title.
It would be a lovely achievement if we could grab a hat-trick
of titles. "The girls know they are the number one team
and there to be shot at, but we've got a good team and are
confident of playing well."
However, Sheffield will have to win the title without four
of their most experienced players, two of whom are current
Great Britain internationals. Star players Carol Mohan, a
midfielder/winger, and national captain Fran Leighton, a dangerous
centre-forward, are both missing through injury. Mohan (shoulder)
and Leighton (knee) are both recovering from operations, while
former GB goalkeeper Ruth Walters (broken arm) and Sally Rangecroft
(holidays) are also absent for this weekend's tournament.
"We're missing our big-hitters, but we've been training
it hard and had lots of practice games. We are not going to
give up our title without a fight," added Leighton. Sheffield
do have current GB ace Bernice Cowton amongst their ranks,
an international for the last six years, while club skipper
Larissa Davies and current GB shot-stopper Tara Smith will
be vital components as the team bid to repeat their success
from the two previous championships. Meanwhile, Sheffield's
youngsters have a chance to win silverware when they play
hosts Manchester in the Youth final on Sunday morning (9.00am).
If both teams are successful the Sheffield club could be
celebrating a memorable double. This year will also see a
string of men's and women's junior and youth finals, with
Manchester and Liverpool set to clash in the Junior Women's
final on Sunday, while two from Sedgefield, Brimingham, Cheltenham
or Croydon will contest the men's youth final at 10.30am.
Tickets, which cost £3, are available on the door.
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