Lancaster and Manchester win national water polo titles

LANCASTER and City of Manchester claimed the titles at the British Water Polo Championships in Manchester.

Both finals were close affairs with Lancaster taking the men's crown with a narrow 8-7 triumph over reigning champions Rotherham, while 2008 winners Manchester needed extra time then sudden death to emerge 13-12 winners over Liverpool in the women's final.

"It was a fabulous match," said City of Manchester captain Kate Lewis.

"Whenever we play Liverpool it is a really good game and this season they have beaten us twice in the league and we have won once, so this settled a score.

"As we went into penalties I could feel the nerves building up and I started to feel a little bit sick. But we have just a absolutely fantastic team and it finally showed."

Lancaster left it late to claim their win - Tom Curwen completing his hat-trick with a decisive goal just seven seconds from time.

Stunned Rotherham called a time-out and nearly forced extra time but a late shot crashed against the crossbar.

"We have match winners in our team and a great keeper in Dave Bush," said Lancaster captain Chris Hartley.

"It was a hard match but you always have to be confident, especially with the players we have in the likes of Tom Curwen, Alex Parsonage and Scott Carpenter.

"I felt we just had the strength and determination, along with a lot of pace, to win us the match, and it helps having a professional coach in the form of Alberto Bertolotti."

The win was at least some good news for British international Curwen, who saw his Olympic dreams shattered after UK Sport's decision to cut water polo's funding in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.

"Both the water polo teams have a £1.4 million budget combined compared to £3.1 million last time in preparing for an Olympics," he said.

"The women's team looks as though it will be funded but unless the Government or someone with loads of money comes in, the men's team might be struggling." 

In the men's play-off, West London Penguins edged third place ahead of City of Manchester with another extremely close match ending in 8-7.

In the women's third and fourth place match, West London Penguins again showed their strength, overcoming Sheffield 12-6.  

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