Watford Water Polo Club have been celebrating unprecedented success at Under-15 level after their boys A team won silver in this season’s National Age Group Championship.
The side won through two group phases to reach the final at Manchester Aquatics Centre, but a Worthing team boasting a number of regional academy players proved too strong as they ran out 10-2 winners.
Assistant coach Steve Chambers said: “It’s a great result for the club to get a silver medal and this is the highest position the club has ever achieved at Under-15 level. Worthing were the better side so there’s no shame in losing to them.
“We rode our luck at times with the two draws but overall it’s a great experience for the lads and they have room to improve for next season and go that one stage further.”
Having beaten Manchester B 21-2 in their opening group game, Watford came from 1-0 down to lead Devonport 3-1, only to be pegged back to a 2-2 draw.
Progressing as one of the six group winners on goal difference, Watford went into a pool alongside Bristol and Sheffield.
Two late goals saw Watford beat Bristol 8-5 in the opener, but a 3-3 draw with Sheffield left Watford certain of a bronze medal play-off and waiting on the outcome of the final group win. That saw Bristol beat Sheffield 7-4 which saw Watford qualify for the final.
The Under-15 girls also impressed at the championships, beating Nova Centurions on penalties following a 3-3 draw to finish in fifth place.
Watford grew in confidence after pushing eventual winners City of Sheffield all the way before losing 5-3 in their opening match. They went on to beat Otter Future 13-2, but lost 11-3 to Cheltenham to finish third in the group. However, a 14-1 play-off win over Iceni secured a place in the fifth/sixth qualification match.
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