Non Stop March for CSWPC Water Polo Teams

Non Stop March for CSWPC Water Polo Teams

National Age Group Championships Prelims 

The U17 Girls were first to start their attack on the NAGS 2019 competition. 10 girls across the age ranges of 14-16 travelled to Northampton School for Boys to face 4 teams from around the country. Hoping  to make it to the final, as they did last year, this was the first glimpse they had of who they had to contend with. The Girls first match against Worthing had a slow start as the team got to know each other but by half time Cheltenham were getting into their stride. With a brilliant mix of pit shots, long lobs and penalties they soon dominated the match winning 8 goals to Worthings 2. Next up was City of Sheffield, definitely one of the power teams in the tournament, winners of U15’s NAGS in 2018. Despite amazing defense by CSWPC shutting down Sheffields dominant pit attack Cheltenham could not get anything past the Sheffield goalie leaving the final score 9-0 to Sheffield. Next up was Iceni they were becoming the obvious weakest in the group. CSWPC dominated the whole game even when the younger inexperienced players were put in they held their own which is really promising for the girls teams of the future. Final score 14-1 to Cheltenham. The last match of the day was Newton Abbott again another known strong team who were so confident they came to the tournament with only 7 players. CSWPC got off to an amazing start leading the match for most of the first half however Newton Abbots precision training and persistence shone through and despite some amazing saves by CSWPC goalie they began to dominate the tiring Cheltenham team. Final score 9-4 to Newton Abbott.

 

Finishing 3rd in the table, behind City of Sheffield & Newton Abbot, CSWPC will go onto the Qualification Round on March 23/24th. Well done girls and good luck.

U17’s Girls NAGS Team – Matilda Dugdale, Charlotte Martin, Gigi Boskett-Williams, Mary Bradley, Evie Handley, Priya Kennedy, Tisa Maunder-Bushell, Alice Tubby, Mara Totolici & Micheal Totolici. Coach Rich Middleton.

The U17 Boys had a foggy trip to Grantham Meres Leisure Centre the following day. Fielding one of the strongest teams in a long time CSWPC were hopeful for a good result. Their first match against Beckenham ended in a disappointing defeat (6-2). The boys undeterred, attacked their next match with true grit and determination. A very close game ended in a draw 6-6 to Bridgefield. Next up were the table winners West London Penguins, being the strongest team in the draw the boys did really well to finish the match with a 9-2 loss. The last match was Northampton. CSWPC ended on a high with a comfortable win over them 9-4. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough and the team ended just outside the qualifiers selection but do go straight to the plate competition held at the finals weekend in Liverpool 13th & 14th April.

U17’s Boys NAGS Team – James Willis, Kyle Yates, Luke Tubby, Morgan Wells, Will Maddocks, Xander Mckie, George Glover, Dan Day, Harry Mason & Lorcan Halstead.

Super 5’s

The first weekend of March saw CSWPC’s Mens first team back at National League. After their win over Solihull earlier in the year, last years winners (Solihull) were not going to allow a second win to be easy. CSWPC seemed to take a long time to get going, their last quarter was definitely the best and very strong leaving the result a respectable 8-6 loss. Next was Manchester, the current undefeated champions. CSWPC started strongly, giving Manchester a mighty shock, brilliant goals from Jake Polster, Will Rayson, Rob Parker, Matt Witcomb & Giulio Sartorello meant they ended the first quarter 5-0 up. From then on, it was a matter of Manchester chipping away at the lead – 5-3 after two periods, then 7-5 to Cheltenham after three. The final quarter Manchester drew even with only 2 mins to spare another goal and a penalty meant the final score was 8-7 to Manchester. The weekend ended with CSWPC still in 3rd place in the table with all to play for at the finals. Remember live finals this weekend on BBC!

Spartans Div 3 Championships

Spartans campaign ended in dramatic defeat in Marlborough this weekend. They went down 11-10 to Cambridge, who trailed 9-6 after three periods but then stole victory when Nick Ludford (Cambridge) equalized with 57 seconds left and then scored the winner just 10 seconds from the end. Thankfully a win against York, 11-10 to Cheltenham, the day before ensure that Spartans retain their position in Division 3 at the start of the league later in the year.