Hertfordshire County Juniors, which included nine players from Watford Water Polo Club, retained the Andy Morton Trophy at last weekend’s East Region Junior Inter-Counties competition.

The first match saw Herts girls complete an 8-2 win over Essex. Rhiannon Ellis impressed in the win, she netted a hat-trick.

Suffolk boys lined up against Herts boys and were beaten 11-5. Ross Leon was the stand-out performer as he struck six times.

Herts girls were then defeated by their Suffolk counterparts 14-4.

Suffolk had gone into half time narrowly in front and then upped the pace and produced a ruthless display in the third and fourth quarters.

Sophie Wilson grabbed two late goals for Herts but they were no more than consolations and Suffolk were worthy winners.

Herts boys went into their final match against Essex knowing a win would guarantee the championship.

Honours were even at 1-1 after the first quarter and the score reached 2-2 before Herts took a two-goal half-time lead thanks to Louis Waloschek and Leon.

The third quarter was a closely-fought contest with the referees giving frequent exclusion fouls against both teams. However, Herts added two more goals to lead 6-3.

Essex had given their all and tired in the final period. That allowed Herts to take control and Leon added two more to his total to seal an 8-3 win and the title.

Herts County squad: Karan Basu, Alex Norcliff, Hamish Hudson, Paul Botje, Louis Walochek, William Keegan, Ross Leon, Joshua Silverbeck, Matt Rosenfeld (All Watford), Henry Stuart-Turner and Robert Aventor (Bishop Stortford), Richard Thomson (Hitchin), Jo Cooke (Hertford).