Watford Water Polo Club beat Croydon Seconds 15-13 in an evenly-contested encounter on Monday to remain in the hunt for promotion to London League Premier Division.

Thanks to Avondale’s win over Bexley, Watford will need to beat league-leaders Chelmsford on Wednesday to guarantee second place.

Tamas Csendes and Andy Holt scored either side of a Croydon goal before Watford took charge, running in unanswered goals from Holt, Csendes and Steve Behr. However two Croydon efforts meant the quarter closed with Watford 5-3 ahead.

A quick start to the second quarter saw Croydon hit four without reply to take the lead for the first time, 6-5.

Csedndes levelled with his third of the night but Croydon soon hit back with a double. Nandi Cseh then weighed in with a brace of his own to draw Watford level at 8-8 before the break.

There was a fourth from Csendes after the restart, the ball bouncing off the Croydon goalkeeper’s head and into the back of the net in fortuitous circumstances.

The two sides continued to trade blows, with Csendes and Holt ensuring the third period ended level at 11-11.

A Paul Skerm brace and further efforts from Holt and Cseh finally killed the tie off in the final period, but a late lapse yielded two further Croydon goals and ensured a nervy finish.