Enfield Water Polo Club booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Referees Cup on Wednesday with a comfortable 25-14 victory over Chelmsford at Southgate.
The Essex-based Premier Division side needed to make up a 12-goal handicap difference, which was always going to be tough against a much-improved Enfield.
Despite the best efforts of GB junior Dan Paddon, who fired in five goals, Chelmsford (+4) could only manage a 10-9 (1-3, 3-2, 1-2, 4-3) win on the night, which means Enfield (+16) will face Blue Marlin (+24) at home in the next round.
Enfield Water Polo Club
In the opening quarter, it was Chelmsford who started the strongest, as they stormed into a 3-0 lead and showed signs of why they ply their trade two divisions higher than Enfield.
However, with talented youngsters of their own, Enfield began to fight back.
Charlie Briers, who was a threat from 2m throughout, soon pulled one back for the hosts to make it 3-1 to Chelmsford at the end of the first.
Waller brothers Alex and Richard were both on target in the second and Rob Lucas surprised the keeper with a shot from out wide to close the deficit to 5-4 at half-time.
The third quarter saw Enfield goalkeeper Andy Boorman produce some magnificent saves, and although Lucas was again on target, the visitors stretched their lead to 7-5.
With all hope of making up the handicap deficit lost, and Paddon permanently excluded, Enfield dominated the final period.
Alex and Richard Waller scored again and their older brother Chris also got in on the act with a shot from distance that somehow slipped through the keeper’s hands.
Enfield briefly led 9-8 after Briers hammered home his second of the game, but two late goals from Chelmsford saw them win 10-9 on the night.
Enfield’s poolside banner
The handicap cup triumph for Enfield sets up a quarter-final home clash with Blue Marlin, but first up is their opening London Water Polo Division Two game against Avondale next Wednesday at Southgate, 9pm start.
Enfield team in full: Andy Boorman, Andy Poore, Richard Waller (2), Alex Waller (2), Chris Waller (1), Rob Lucas (2), Charlie Briers (2), Rob Threadgold, Martin Ilievski & Craig Snowdon.