ROTHERHAM AND MANCHESTER TAKE POLO HONOURS
City of Manchester and Rotherham took the honours at the
British Water Polo Championships after a day of highly competitive
action at Manchester Aquatics Centre.
City of Manchester took the women's title after some fantastic
play against Penguins A Ladies.
Penguins looked like taking an early lead after a minute
of play when a dipping shot rattled off the Manchester crossbar.
Both teams could have broken the deadline early in the first
quarter but the defensive play of both keep their opponents
aT bay.
Manchester broke the deadline when the superb Chloe Wilcox
hit the back of the net after four minutes.
Penguins made a quick attack after the restart and hit the
crossbar for a second time in the quarter.
Manchester's defence were strong and prevented Penguins from
converting many of their attacks into goals.
Some fantastic passing straight from the Manchester defence
going from the left to right wing led to their second goal
of the quarter and sent them through to the next period leading
2-0 through another goal by Wilcox.
Penguins came out fighting in the second quarter of brought
the game to 2-2 with two early goals, however Manchester soon
re-established their advantage and extended it once again
when Wilcox netted and Victoria Hawkins scored to make it
4-2.
This quick start to the next quarter by both teams had seen
four goals in as many minutes hit the back of the net as Penguins
and Manchester battled it out for the championship trophy.
Penguins broke the Manchester defence to bring the score
to 4-3 but Manchester continued to dominate the attacking
play and scored two goals in the final 90 seconds.
Manchester dominated the third quarter, taking it 4-1 after
Penguins took an early goal 20 seconds into play with Aine
Hoy, Sarah Pimblett, Ros Griffiths and Alex Rutlidge all finding
the back of the net for Manchester.
As the teams headed into the final period, Manchester went
in leading 10-4
Manchester took the first goal of the final period with Aine
Hoy adding another to her tally, but Penguins pulled one back
moments later through Kate Allum.
Penguins found the net once again shortly after to make it
11-6 when Kelly Miller found a way through Manchester's defence.
However, Manchester were to take the final goal of the game
when Victoria Hawkins made it 12-6 to the now champions.
Manchester's top scorer and captain for the championships,
Chloe Wilcox was thrilled with the teams title.
"Obviously we are so pleased to have won. The whole
team has worked so hard and as it was Julie's (Allsopp - coach)
last game with us it was also great to win it for her,"
said Wilcox.
In the men's final Rotherham took on City of Manchester and
took a fantastic win to take the title with a final score
of 12-8.
The first quarter of play was a goals feast, with 10 being
scored in the opening eight minutes.
Manchester went 2-0 up with Charles Booth and Jonny Kirk
finding the net but Rotherham were not about to let them pull
out of reach and made it 2-1 when Chris Kirby scored.
Manchester responded quickly with another goal from Kirk
however Rotherham took the game to 3-3 courtesy of Mark Wade
and another for Chris Kirby.
Charles Booth netted to make it 4-3 but 19 seconds later,
Rotherham were level after Neilson Rutherford scored.
Another goal for Jonny Kirk and Sean Ryder sent the young
team into the in second quarter leading 6-4.
Rotherham came out fighting in the second quarter, holding
off any attack from Manchester and scored the only goal in
the eight-minute period when Mark Wade got his second of the
game.
Their third period performance saw them restrict their opponents
to one goal from Jonny Kirk. Goals from Richard Leighton (2)
and Jake Vincent sent the teams into the final quarter with
Rotherham leading 8-7.
Rotherham had full control of the final quarter and their
movement and passing secured the title for them.
Manchester were only able to penetrate the Rotherham defence
once more through Mick Bourne but their opposition went onto
net four more goals thanks to Neil Swainson, Jake Vincent
(2) and Mark Wade.
Rotherham captain Mark Wade was keen to praise the team for
a phenomenal performance.
"We have come here so many times and finished fourth
and haven't done ourselves justice with our performances,"
said Wade.
"Because we have players all over the country it is
difficult for us all to meet together as a team to train.
"We've brought in four new players who have added some
really strength and depth the team and to be honest, the feeling
of winning has still not really sunk in yet," he continued.
"We are all great friends as well as team mates and
everyone played fantastically over the weekend."
Rotherham's coach, Norman Leighton echoed his captains' thoughts.
"I am absolutely delighted to win. For so long we have
been told we're capable of this but you never believe it until
it actually happens," said Leighton.
"The players performed so well and I also want to mention
the players who did not in the final thirteen. Everyone who
played in the prelims contributed to this success and it is
great for the club."
In the women's play-off for third and fourth place, City
of Liverpool took the win against City of Sheffield.
Liverpool had a four goal lead over the rivals at the end
of the first quarter, heading into the next phase of play
4-0 up.
After a closely fought final three quarters, Liverpool came
out as 7-5 winners over the reigning champions.
In the men's play-off, Lancaster were victorious over Penguins
after a closely fought contest which ended 8-7.
Two goals each from Burgess and Kerekes ensured that Lancaster
came third.
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