Sedgefield Water Polo Club played their final tournament of 2014 at Lancaster. There was a big entry of 14 teams for under 13’s from Yorkshire, Lancashire and the sole entries from Durham, Northumberland and Cleveland were Sedgefield.
Sedgefield started off with a dominant performance beating the host club Lancaster 7-1, then a comfortable win against Manchester 5-0.
Bridgefield from Liverpool were beaten 5-2. Then came a tough game against Oldham team Royton which Sedgefield won 5-3 with 2 late goals. Blackpool were beaten easily 11-1 and the final group game Sedgefield beat school team Ripley 10-1.
In the quarter final in a very close affair with Manchester team Tydsley, Sedgefield came through 6-5. In the semi final Sedgefield were up against Bridgefield again but triumphed easier than the group game winning 5-0.
Sedgefield were up against Rotherham in the final for the fourth time this season at this age group and like the others Sedgefield’s extra fitness and tight defence saw them win 6-4. This made it 6 wins from 6 tournaments for Sedgefield’s under 13’s in 2014, an excellent performance.
Sedgefield’s outstanding player/player of the tournament and leading scorer was Michael Hampshire, 12, who is attending GB trials this month.
Sedgefield entered two teams in the competition. The Orange team of younger and less experienced players finished 4th in the Plate.
The other members of the Sedgefield squad were Joseph 12 and Isaac Boys 7, Niall Coulthard 11, Haydn Craggs 12, Kate Harrison 12, Kes 10 and Charlie McEwan 7, Kyle 6 and Ben Alderson 9, Hollie Turnbull 12, Jessica Webb 12, Poppy Stephenson 11, Jake Mendelson 12, Katy Fenton 12, Bartosz Czajczynski 11, Crystal Elliot 11, Daniel Millington 12 and Mathew Taylor 12.
Sedgefield are looking for new players 12 and under to join their talented squad who are club swimmers or like swimming. The club does a lot of swimming training as it is very important for fitness to play this tough and exciting sport well.
The club based at Newton Aycliffe Leisure trains up to 11 hours per week. Fees range from £17 to £25 per month with free club shirts and hoodies.
Anyone interested can get more details on 07818 554449 or on the club’s website
