Watford Water Polo Club were beaten 30-25 by local rivals Hatfield in the Herts KO Cup final due to the handicap scores on Wednesday.

Needing to overturn a 16-goal deficit to win the cup for the second year running, Watford won 23-12 on the night but ultimately came up short.

The reason for the sizeable goal difference was Watford won the Division One title, whilst Hatfield had finished bottom of Division Two.

Watford stormed into a four-goal lead thanks to strikes from Tamas Csendes, Nandi Cseh, Zoltan Agocs and Andy Holt, with Sam Carling scoring after Hatfield got one back.

Holt scored three in the second period, with Csendes, Agocs and Jack Pickford also weighing in. Hatfield pulled two back following fouls, but Csendes scored again to make it 12-3 at the break.

Four unanswered goals in the second period dragged Hatfield back into the contest but Cseh scored once more.

Quick-fire strikes from Cami Baker (2) and Holt ensured Watford took a 17-9 lead into the final period.

Cseh and Csendes had Watford within six of levelling the game but Hatfield refused to roll over. Watford hit back via Cseh and Carling only for Hatfield to score again.

Another Csendes goal wasn’t enough and after Hatfield scored their 11th at the death, Watford were beaten.

Previously, Watford went down 22-14 in the Winter League Cup against Enfield, with the handicap goals rule again in force.

A 14-11 victory on the night was not enough for Watford, who were ultimately beaten as hosts Enfield were boosted by an 11-goal bonus.

Strikes from Holt and Steve Behr put Watford 2-0 up in the first quarter, but Enfield soon levelled.

The home side then went 4-2 ahead in the second period but Watford fought back through Paul Skerm and Richard Hime.

Enfield got another before Watford took charge thanks to strikes from Cseh (2), Paul Botje (2) and Hime.

The third period was Enfield’s though, with the home side running in five goals to Watford’s two; Skerm and Pickford both on target for the visitors.

Watford did win the final period 4-1, with Hime, Behr, Botje and Skerm all registering, but the 11-goal decifit proved too much.