Sedgefield Water Polo club traveled to Manchester for the National Boys under 15 Championships.
The top 12 teams in Great Britain entered including big city clubs. Sedgefield played London Invicta in their first game who had defeated Sedgefield in the semi final last year. Sedgefield got their revenge in a 11-3 win, completely dominating from the start.
Sedgefield then played Caledonia who included all the best players in Scotland. The Scots started very strongly and led 3-1 at half time. After some changes and a pep talk from coach Richard Cousins Sedgefield dominated the second half winning the game 8-4.
Sedgefield beat the South West Champions Cheltenham14-1 and their final group game was against South London Champions Sutton and Cheam who have won many National titles at all levels and who were one of the favourites. Sedgefield team’s tremendous fitness and will to win showed winning the game 8-2.
Sedgefield topped their group and were up against the runners up in the other group Watford in the semi final. Watford scored first but Sedgefield came back well and the score was 3-3 at half. Sedgefield scored two quick goals in the second half and with strong defence kept the two goal advantage to win the game 6-4’
Sedgefield in their first National Final since 2006 were up against the favourites Sheffield who had the best players in Yorkshire. Sedgefield started very well and led 2-0 but Sheffield came back to draw level, however Sedgefield scored two quick goals to lead 4-2 at halftime. In the second half Sedgefield raced into a 6-2 lead but Sheffield reduced the score by two goals. Sedgefield pressed the Yorkshire team really hard and did not allow them near their goal to win the game 6-4.
This was a wonderful triumph for the small club from County Durham who are the only team who play in a shallow pool at their home base of Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre where the staff have always supported them in any way they can.
Richard Cousins coach and team manager John Stephenson refused to single out particular players on the day because it was a great team effort. Sedgefield were the fittest team in the competition and had a very tight defence.
Richard Murray 14 the goalkeeper made it very difficult for the opposition to score. Michael Cousins and Mathew Bottomley 14 marshalled the defence superbly. Most of the Sedgefield goals came from Kris Egginton 14, Ben Stephenson 13 and the leading scorer in the whole competition Connor Keeble 14 with 19 goals. Connor was invited into the GB under 15 squad after this performance, joining team mates Egginton, Bottomley and Cousins.
Sedgefield’s younger players Michael Hampshire 12, Niall Coulthard 11, Elliot Edworthy 13, James Addison and James Moore 13 all contributed a great deal to this Sedgefield triumph.
The Sedgefield families, committee members and friends gave wonderful and very loud support on the day.
Anyone who wants to play this fun, exciting and very tough sport and who like swimming a lot or are club swimmers aged from 6 years upwards can get more details from 07818554449.