NATIONAL WATER POLO LEAGUE
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A tearaway start by Lancaster – they were 3-0 ahead in the first period and 8-2 up at half-time – set up a 12-8 victory over Bristol at Loughborough and ensured the Division One title once again by an impressive four-point margin.

Lancaster's triumphant team : Back row (left to right): Rysz Detko (coach), Paul Haworth, Jamie McIlquham, Andrew Squires, Steven Knowles, Jim Lafferty, Ryan Pinington, Neil Bowers, Tom Curwen, Dougie Campbell, Colin Burgess. Front: Chris Hartley (captain) and Dave Bush.


National League chairman Steve Monico presents the trophy to Lancaster skipper Chris Hartley.

Bristol came more into the game in the second half but always struggled to hold the outstanding young England player Tom Curwen, who finished with five goals. Colin Burgess (3) Doug Campbell (2), Neil Bowers and Chris Hartley were the other scorers while goalkeeper David Bush made several fine saves against his former club.

Bristol man up

Bristol, who take runners-up spot, scored through John Sissons (3), Craig Figes (3), Jon Hutchings and Paul Morris.

Earlier, Lancaster beat Rotherham 11-4 after leading 8-1 at the half-way point. Curwen was again in form with three and Campbell also claimed a hat-trick.

Colin Burgess hitting target

Lancaster's Chris Hartley with the upper hand

Cheltenham battled hard to collect three points from the final weekend. Three first period goals by David Edwards led the way for a 10-2 defeat of Penguin. Then Cheltenham drew 7-7 with Rotherham, who levelled two minutes from the end through Wade.

Lancaster were triumphant in the final game against Bristol who had to settle with second place.

The next Burgess ?

FOWLER’S GOALS CLINCH VITAL BIRKENEHAD WIN
 

Manchester finished their Division One season in style, beating Polytechnic and Tyldesley to top the lower half of the league by an impressive six points and earn British Championship qualification.

In the crucial relegation battle, Birkenhead beat Invicta 12-8, which means the drop for the Kent side after two seasons in Division One.

Manchester were never under serious pressure against Polytechnic, leading 8-2 after three periods before Poly scored four times to cut the final winning margin to 8-6. Hoy claimed three of the Manchester goals.

Tyldesley’s Mike Cowburn scored five in the derby clash with Manchester but couldn’t save his side from an 8-7 defeat. Tomlins and Holmes scored two apiece for the winners.

Birkenhead raced into a 4-1 lead against Invicta but were only 5-4 ahead at half-time. Then Andy Fowler’s goals – he finished with four – and three from Lee Cadwallader took Birkenhead clear for a 12-8 victory. Steve Leathwood scored three for Invicta.

Now ninth-placed Birkenhead wait to see whether Division Two runners-up Newton Abbot will issue a play-off challenge.