Played: 4 Won: 4 Goals For: 50 Goals Against: 19
London came top of the Youth Boys (born 1993 or later) Inter-Regional Water Polo Championships Division 2 at Walsall on 23rd and 24th January, gaining promotion for next year. The performance and conduct of the members of the team was a credit to their clubs and Regional Training Centres (RTCs). Several will have deservedly come into contention for selection for the Great Britain squad in which Danny Casey, the London team’s captain, is currently the region’s sole representative. It would be very good to build on the developing team and individual skills, and spirit, apparent in the preparation for the competition, and over the weekend itself. The matches went like this:
London 9 South West 8
Water polo is booming in parts of this region and they provided our (London’s) toughest opponents of the weekend, having several very good outside shooters. However, by the end of the match, they were lucky to get back in contention after strong middle quarters by London. Jacob Tidy gave a fine display of all round skill and fitness, as he did throughout the weekend, and Jack Miller showed accomplished game sense, movement, passing and shooting: both Jacob and Jack were selected for the All Star Team at the end of the tournament. Josh Miller was always a threat at centre forward and Ollie Longhurst’s defensive positioning and movement were impeccable.
West Midlands B 3 London 25
The opposition were a younger team and London were able to use the match to work on our team defensive and attacking skills. Tom Dean, who worked tirelessly and frequently in the toughest position of centre forward and in defence over the weekend, scored three goals for London. Callum Donaghue and James Mulcahy registered with fine left-handed efforts, providing good balance to the team every match. Will Jackson, London’s leading scorer over the weekend with nine goals, made an art of countering very rapidly off opposition players in the last few seconds of their attacks.
East 4 London 9
Based on a RTC set up more recently than the South’s, the East are developing as a force, but on this occasion could not match the skill and experience of the London players. Our team conceded only one of seven man-downs, showing the improving teamwork that shone in the final fixture.
Wales 3 London 7
Wales, coached by the GB youth boys’ coach, are likely to be even stronger in the future, but were unable to break down our defence, even in extra-man situations. Overall this was a mature team performance by London who always had the game under control, despite having several players out injured. Skipper Danny Casey led by example, dominating the strong Welsh forwards at centre back, and on the counter attack. Between the posts, Chad Knapman was outstanding, at the heart of a fantastic man-down, and pulled off several penalty saves. Joe Worland, controlling defence and possession, gave a huge performance in this the deciding result of the weekend. Kitan Ogunfeibo played excellent press defence and counter attacked powerfully. Jack Miller scored two vital goals in the first two quarters.
Thanks very much for being part of a fine squad performance to:
· Chris Martin for providing the sound management structure and organisation,
· Haleh Longhurst and Sharon Knapman for essential support pool-side and chaperoning,
· Tom Phillips-Clark for standing by as non-travelling reserve,
· Gary Simons, Beacon Club coach at Crystal Palace, for providing quality pool time and guidance,
· Steve Baker for kit and board-level support, and
· The players’ club and RTC coaches who deserve the main credit for the results.
Head Coach
Tim H Kendall
