Enfield 1sts endured a frustrating night away at Watford on Sunday as they crashed to a 20-10 (3-5, 2-6, 1-4, 4-5) defeat.

With five of their starting seven missing, including three taking part at the National Age Group finals in Manchester, the advantage was firmly with 13-man Watford.

However, it was Enfield who opened the scoring, with well-worked goals from Rob Lucas and Rob Threadgold to make it 2-0 with just under two minutes played.

Watford were stung into action and responded strongly with three unanswered goals, before Lucas again found space to make it 3-3.

It was the hosts who finished the quarter on top, as two further breakaway goals put them 5-3 up.

In the second quarter, Craig Snowdon and Andy Rollé managed to find the net, but Watford’s numerical advantage began to show as they opened up a 11-5 lead.

Stefano Cortellini was on target for Enfield in the third, but with only two subs, they were struggling to cope with Watford’s counter attacks and found themselves 15-6 down.

In the final quarter, Enfield were determined to end on a high and Cortellini soon completed his hat-trick with two finely-taken goals.

Lucas was also on target to secure his own impressive treble, while Rollé expertly lobbed in from 2m, but it wasn’t enough to stop Watford sealing a 20-10 victory.

Enfield’s poolside banner

Enfield 1sts will look to return to winning ways in their next London Water Polo League Division Two fixture when they host Beckenham at Southgate on Wednesday, 6 May, 9pm start.

Enfield’s team in full v Watford: Andy Boorman, Andy Rollé (2), Stefano Cortellini (3), Rob Lucas (3), Rob Threadgold (1), Tony Matthews, Craig Snowdon (1), Tom Mendham & Martin Ilievski.