Eight games, eight wins. Having already been confirmed as champions, Enfield 1sts finished their London Winter League Division 3 campaign in style on Wednesday with a 13-8 (4-3, 4-3, 2-0, 3-2) victory over Enfield 2nds at Southgate.
With a total of 23 Enfield players on display and the club’s new state-of-the-art scoreboard and 30-second clocks in action, the final derby game of the season was a cause for huge celebration.
Final score at Southgate 13-8
The action in the pool also lived up to the hype, with the opening half being an evenly-contested, end-to-end affair and 14 goals scored.
Chris Dunn, Simon Smith and Stefano Cortellini were all on target for the seconds in the early exchanges, but goals from Rob Lucas, Charlie Briers, Sean O’Brien and David Westcough gave the firsts a 4-3 advantage at quarter time.
The second period also finished 4-3 to the 1sts, with Westcough scoring the pick of the bunch as Enfield 1sts extended their lead to 8-6 at the end of the half.
It was great to see the youngster back at Southgate as he made a welcome return from his year abroad studying in Dresden, Germany.
At the start of the third, Enfield 2nds struggled with the pace and power of the 1sts as their superiority began to show.
Lucas added another to his tally, while Rob Threadgold converted a stunning chance to make it 10-6 going into the final period.
Sean O’Brien then completed a well-taken hat-trick for the 1sts, before Max Roberts was rewarded for his powerful driving with his second of the night for the 2nds.
The final score of 13-8 was a triumph for the 1sts, but the newly-formed 2nds pushed them all the way and will look to build on the strong performances they’ve shown throughout their debut season.
Enfield 1sts and 2nds’ fixtures for the forthcoming London Water Polo summer season can be found by clicking here.
Enfield’s poolside banner
Enfield 1sts: Rob Lucas (4), Rob Threadgold (1), Andy Boorman, Charlie Briers (2), Martin Ilievski, Sean O’Brien (3), David Westcough (2), Richard Waller, Costas Chamalidis, Craig Snowdon (1)
Enfield 2nds: Martin Waller, Max Roberts (2), John Jackosn, Adrian Lo, Chris Waller, Alex Waller (2), Fazer Briers, Dax Cain, Chris Dunn (1), Stefano Cortellini (1), Simon Smith (2), Nikos Chamalidis & Sina Dehnadi
Enfield Water Polo Club
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