Watford water polo club defeated WL Penguin 13-7 at Woodside on Wednesday night to move joint top of the Winter League Division One.

The team have a good chance of retaining their title as they are tied at the top alongside Sutton & Cheam with four games remaining.

The hosts grabbed an early lead when Andy Holt converted a penalty before Steve Behr doubled the scoreline. Penguin pulled one goal back but their opponents re-established control with goals from Cami Baker and Holt to help them into a 4-2 lead.

Efforts from Yakov Sadovskii, James Kattan and Paul Skerm handed Watford a comfortable 7-3 lead at half-time.

Sam Carling, who was recently picked for the GB junior team, netted a brace in the third period while Jack Pickford and Skerm extended the lead.

The visitors won the final period 3-2 despite efforts from Richard Hime and Holt’s third but Watford still ran out convincing winners.

Watford next play Sutton & Cheam at home in mid-February in a crucial match at the top of the league.