Lancaster City safely negotiated a potentially tricky group to qualify for the finals of the National Youth Water Polo Championships. Lancaster was drawn with City of Manchester A and B, Sutton and Cheam, Leeds and Watford with the top team from the group progressing to the final.    

First up were Manchester B. Coaches Zak Sly and Gary Ellwood, thought this would be a good game to warm up and practice some drills. The coaches wanted the players to press hard and counter fast. The players took this information onboard and in the first half the three Great Britain squad members Decland Ellwood, Matthew Grieve and Elliot Trafford scored seven goals between them.    

The second half of the game Lancaster kept attacking hard and defending well. As in all games a Lancaster player got sent out and due to some confusion over a rule, Lancaster gave a penalty away. Manchester scored the penalty. This gave Manchester a bit of a buzz and during the last half they put another two goals away. This was really no worry for Lancaster as they scored another eight goals, three goals from a quick counter from Lawrence Daykin, three more from Decland, one more from Elliot and Matthew Calvert added his name to the score sheet. Final score Lancaster 15 Manchester B 3.    

The second game of the day was against Watford. Lancaster played at the same fast pace as in the first game, Robert Simpson worked hard in the pit alongside Dylan Smith in goal to deny Watford any goals in the first half.  Goals came from Decland (3), Elliot (2), whilst Matthew G, Lawrance, and Jake all slotted one goal past Watford.
With Eight goals lead this gave Lancaster’s other players, an opportunity to play. The Lancaster goalkeeper, committed a foul which got him excluded, and with all the players only allowed to defend with one hand Watford scored their only goal of the game. Decland and Matthew both scored another two goals each and Lawrance scored another to make the final score Lancaster 13 Watford 1    

The third game of the day was against a strong Sutton and Cheam side. Sutton and Cheam had only just lost to Manchester A, 2 – 1. In this game two improving players Jake Starkie and Sam Smith stood out for their team work and communication. Greg Barker and Robert Simpson both put their names on the score sheet scoring a goal each, with Matthew Gadding another five goals to his tally and Decland another three, the final score ending up 10 3.    

The fourth game and the hardest game of the day was against rivals Manchester. Lancaster have met Manchester in the finals several times. This was a good opportunity to knock them out of the tournament; however Lancaster had five members from the Great Britain squad with Manchester having six squad members, giving them potentially the stronger side.    

The Lancaster players worked very hard and showed in this game why they were heading to the finals. Lancaster won the first half 2 – 1 with two goals from Decland.  The start of the second half saw Manchester’s, Great Britain squad member Will Salt score a goal to equalise then another two goals from Manchester’s Great Britain squad member Andrew Holrne. This put Manchester in the lead 4 -3 going in to the last 10 seconds. Manchester got exclusion with five seconds to go and Decland found a great opportunity to place the ball in the top corner past Manchester’s Great Britain squad member goalkeeper Matthew Winstanley.  The final score finished 4 – 4.    

After a long day Lancaster had one final game to play. Lancaster had to win this game to go through to the final.  Leeds had already been knocked out of the competition, so Lancaster had a fair chance to beat them. Lancaster carried on their hard pressure with some excellent defending from Robert Simpson, Adam Woods and Matthew Calvert.  Matthew G carried on with his goal scoring putting away five goals, with Elliot and Jake putting another two goals away each and Robert and Sam Smith finished the game off with one goal apiece. The final score for the game was 11 2.    

Lancaster qualified as the top team and now have the final on the 25th April against Invicta to look forward to.
As usual in team games goal scorers get all the accolades but games are won on team performances. From Dylan Smith and Stefan Detko in goal, stalwart defending by Robert Simpson, Matthew Calvert, Adam Woods and Greg Barker, continuous hard work from Jake Strakie, Sam Smith and Lawrance Daykin and not forgetting the top goal scorers themselves: Decland Ellwoods, Matthew Grieve and Elliot Trafford – they all contributed to this tremendous match.    

The Team:
Decland Ellwood, Greg Barker, Robert Simpson, Stefan Detko (gk),Matthew Grieve, Matthew Calvert, Sam Smith, Dylan Smith (gk) Elliot Trafford, Lawrence Daykin, Adam Woods and Jake Starkie    

Lancaster take gold
Written by Ron Winn

There was much expected of this fixture as both teams had won their preliminary rounds convincingly.    

Team Hug

 The game started cautiously as both young sides were finding the atmosphere a little daunting. Decland Ellwood Lancaster’s captain settled the team’s nerves with the opening goal.    

Both sides settled into the game with good attacking moves. Lancaster’s defence looked strong from Dylan Smith in goal, Robert Simpson making  life difficult for Invicta’s pit forward, strong press from Elliott Trafford, Lawrence Daykin and Jake Starkey, allowing Mathew Grieve and Decland Ellwood to be ready for the quick counter. This continued hard work resulted in Lancaster extending their lead through Elliott Trafford.
The quarter finished Lancaster 2 Invicta 0    

Invicta started the 2nd quarter well as they scored from their 1st attack. Lancaster responded positively with 2 quick goals from Sam Smith and Decland.    

Invicta proving to be a tough opponent scored. Good pit play by Decland resulted in Lancaster being awarded a penalty. Mathew Grieve slotted the penalty away with great confidence.    

Invicta were having trouble in dealing with Lancaster’s pit play and conceded another penalty. Mathew stood up and obliged to score his 2nd.Lancaster now led 5 – 2.    

After a fast counter attack by Lancaster, Mathew was on hand to complete his hat trick..
With Decland causing Invicta so much trouble in the pit and having already conceded 2 penalties Invicta were unable to stop Decland completing his hat trick.
Further counter attack goals from Lawrence and Mathew gave Lancaster a half time lead of 9 goals to 2. 

Lancaster man down

All Lancaster had to do was control the ball, no need to force the issue. It was Invicta that had to attack and score.
The 3rd quarter started with Invicta on the attack and scoring. Lancaster responded through Decland and Mathew scoring. Lancaster was starting to look the fitter side as they dominated play. Lancaster continued to press, making passing difficult for Invicta.
This pressure enabled Lancaster to continue with their counter attack play resulting in goals from Decland and Elliott.
The score at the end of the 3rd quarter was Lancaster 13 Invicta 3   

All Lancaster had to do for the next 8 minutes of play was to hold their concentration and they would become National Champions    

The quarter started with Lancaster increasing their lead through Mathew and Elliott. Invicta still trying to get back into the game rallied with a fine goal. More Invicta pressure resulted in Lancaster conceding a penalty. Invicta still had hopes of getting something out of the game after converting the penalty. On Lancaster’s next attack Invicta had a player excluded from the resultant man advantage Elliott scored.  As the game entered the last minute both Lancaster and Invicta scored.    

The final score was Lancaster 17 Invicta 6 – Lancaster were crowned National Champions for 2009     

Winners 2009

Lancaster’s winning team
Dylan Smith, Mathew Grieve (6), Lawrence Daykin (1), Jake Starkey, Elliott Trafford (4),Greg Barker, Robert Simpson, Adam Woods, Mathew Calvert, Decland Ellwood(5), Sam Smith(1), Stephan Detko.    

Zak going in

 The Lancaster team can take great satisfaction for over the last year they have worked hard together taking up the challenge set by their coach. After the disappointment of the 2008 campaign the team was asked to step up their training. The increase in training could not have happened if they had not been supported by their Coaches Zak Sly, Gary Ellwood and Ron Winn. Congratulations to all concerned including the hard working parents.