LUTRA on the Championship 1 top goal scorers list

Lutra players Rebecca (Gari) Mulcahy & Lindsey Williams are on the Championship 1 top goal scorers list with 14 & 8 goals each thanks to some sharp shooting in the opening 3 Championship 1 matches last weekend. Full stats from all divisions can be found on the BWPL website. Keep up the good work girls. 

Gari warms up

Gari warms up

Championship 1 top goal scorers

20 Danica Brazier (Mid Sussex Marlins)
16 Bernice Cowton (Sheffield Sharks) 
14 Rebecca Mulcahy (Otter Lutra)
12 Grace Morley (Tyldesley)
12 Aoife Murray (Penguin Emperors)
11 Milly Wordley (Welsh Wanderers) 
10 Larissa Partridge (Mid Sussex Marlins)
9 Isobel Bates (Mid Sussex Marlins)  
8 Lindsey Williams (Otter Lutra) 


Championship 1 kicks off in Northampton

Lutra's Championship 1 season kicked off last Saturday 16th January in Northampton with tight opening matches vs Sheffield Sharks & Leeds Sharks.

Bugsy in attack

Bugsy in attack

It was the first time the teams have met this season. Leeds & Sheffield both played in BWPL Division 1 for Phase 1, dropping to Championship 1 for phase 2 after finishing 6th & 7th in Division 1 respectively. Sheffield jumped out to an early lead in the mornings game, winning the first quarter 5-3. Otter outscored Sheffield in the 2nd and at the main break the scores were 6-5. But Lutra couldn't quite close the gap, loosing the 3rd & 4th (4-3) & (5-2). And Sheffielf took the game 15-10. 

Otter scorers: Gari 5, Linds 2, Helena, Shkurks & Bugsy 1. 

A few hours later and Lutra were back in action against a strong Leeds side. There was nothing between the teams for most of the game. Leeds lead the first quarter (4-3), the third was a tight (1-0) & the 4th locked at (3-3). But it was Leeds 2nd quarter with 4 goals to Lutras 1 which proved the difference, allowing Leeds taking the match 12-7.

Otter scorers: Gari 4, Linds, Helena & Yedden 1.  

The third game of the weekend was against a more familiar opponent Tyldesley. Lutra took the game by the scruff of the neck right from the beginning scoring 4 unanswered goals to win the first quarter (7-3). Strong defence saw Lutra shut out Tyldesley in the 2nd quarter while netting a further 4 times to lead (11-3) at the main break. Before swimming away with game in the 3rd & 4th quarter with another 10 goals to Tyldesleys 4. The 21 win was a great team effort.  7 different Otters scored, & the team gave away only two majors to Tyldesleys 6. 

Otter scorers: Gari 5, Lindsey 5, Bugsy 4, Yedden 2, Helena 2, Izzy, Catherine & Alex 1. 

Lutra's next games are on the 30th & 31st January in Liverpool. Full results & table can be found on the BWPL website here. 

Lutra go for the three-peat

Otter Lutra kick off their Women's Championship 1 title defence this weekend with games against Sheffield Sharks (13:05 Sat), Leeds Sharks (16:20 Sat) & Tyldesley (10am Sun). Lutra have been undefeated in Championship 1 for the last two years (2013/2014 & 2014/2015) and will be looking to win the division for the third consecutive year in 2015/2016. 

The defending champs will be looking to turn the tables on Sheffield this year after going down 8-6 in Phase 1 of Div 1 last year. Of the opponents they take on this weekend Lutra has the best track record against Tyldesley winning both of their last encounters; 15-10 in Championship 1 last year, and 17-5 in Division 2 earlier this season. While the game vs Leeds is likely to go down to the wire. The teams were virtually inseparable last year with the Div 1 clash ending in a 6-all draw before Otter came up trumps with a 9-8 win in the championship 1 replay. 

Good luck Lutra. 

Champions Otter return to defend their U/17s NAGS title in 2016

All of last year’s National Age Group champions have confirmed that they will defend their national water polo crowns after entries closed for the U17 & U19 NAG Champs 2016. Among them are defending champions Otter who return to NAGS action in search of their third consecutive girls U/17s title. The Otter U/19s are looking to finish one place better again this year after finishing with silver in 2015, and bronze in 2014.  Following the success of our younger Otter '02s in the U/15s last year, Otter have also entered Otter Futura teams in both the U/17 & U/19 age group this year so that all our future stars can get as much experience at a National Level as possible. 

U19 Girls (1998 and under) Competition dates
Group A & B Preliminary round: 5 March – Liverpool Aquatics Centre
Qualification round: 9 – 10 April – Watford Leisure Centre
Finals weekend & Plate competition: 23 – 24 April Manchester Aquatics Centre

2016 U19 Girls Teams
Cheltenham
City of Leeds
City of Manchester
Exeter
City of Liverpool
Mid Sussex
Northampton
Otter
Otter Futura
Hucknall
Caledonia

U17 Girls (2000 and under) Competition dates
Group A Preliminary round: 12 March – The Edge, Leeds University
Group B Preliminary round: 13 March – GL1 Leisure Centre, Gloucester
Qualification round: 19 – 20 March – Liverpool Aquatics Centre
Finals weekend & plate competition: 23 – 24 April – Manchester Aquatics Centre

2016 U17 Girls Teams
Cheltenham
City of Manchester
Crawley
Exeter
City of Liverpool
Otter
Otter Futura
Rotherham
Tyldesley
Caledonia
Welsh Wanderers

 

 

 

Otter kicks off Super 5's in Leeds

The Super 5 season kicked off last weekend @ Leeds University with a tight match between Otter & the 2015 women's super 5 title holders Liverpool Lizards. Otter jumped out to an early lead with goals from Claudia Ferrone and Brooke Tafazolli before Liverpool levelled at 2-2. Liverpool then took charge scoring three times without response in the second period. Otter fought back in the third with both teams exchanging goals before a scoreless 4th quarter saw Liverpool take the win 8-4. 

A few hours later and Otter were back in action against Coventry. Coventry started strongly building a 7-4 lead thanks to four goals from Claire Walmsley. Otter quickly levelled in the 4th quarter with goals from Brooke Tafazolli and Lex Higlett. Rhianne Oscroft then restored Coventrys narrow advantage before Kathy Rogers scored for Otter with 3 minutes remaining, levelling the scores at 9 all & getting the point for Otter.

Otter retired the number 10 cap for both games this weekend in memory of Australian Waterpolo player Cole Miller. For a young man who lived a fair game. #cozziesoutforcole

In other Super 5's games Liverpool beat Manchester 6-1, Coventry beat Caledonia 15-7 & Manchester beat Caledonia 13-5. Full reports, tables & scorecards from all games can be found on the BWPL website.

Otter are back in action in next weekend. Taking on Caledonia @2:30pm Saturday 23rd & Manchester @10am Sunday 24th. Both games will take be played in Luton.

Tracey Allen in goals for Otter. 

2015 BWPL Ladies Phase 1 hotshots

Otter & Otter Lutra both had players on the BWPL Phase 1 hot shots lists in 2015. Claudia Ferrone (18) & Lex Higlett (17) were ranked 4th & 5th in Division 1. While Sarah Bennett (11) & Helena (10) featured on the Championship 1 list. Encouragingly no Otter or Lutra players were on the majors lists for either division. Keep up the good work girls. 

 


Division 1 top goal scorers

26 Katherine Fowler (Liverpool Lizards)
23 Fran Clayton (Coventry)
22 Katie Hesketh (Liverpool Lizards)
18 Claudia Ferrone (Otter)
17 Alexis Higlett (Otter) & Claire Walmsley (Coventry)
16 Bernice Cowton (Sheffield Sharks)
15 Emma Bartlett (Manchester)
14 Hannah Edwards (Caledonia)

Division 1 exclusions

16 Emily Sutcliffe (Leeds)
12 Alexandra Andrews (Penguins) & Vicki Hawkins (Coventry)                
11 Rosie Egan (Manchester)
10 Ella Chadderton (Manchester), Victoria Hawkins (Manchester) & Chiara Palazo (Penguins)


Division 2 top goal scorers

29 Danica Brazier (Mid Sussex Marlins)
21 Grace Morley (Tyldesley) 
18 Milly Wordley (Welsh Wanderers)
14 Andrea Norris (English Roses)
12 Rachel Endy (Hucknall) & Lucy Shaw (Liverpool Liver Birds)
11 Sarah Bennett (Otter Lutra)
10 Helena Phillips (Otter Lutra) & Laura Fox (Welsh Wanderers)  


Division 2 exclusions

10 Danica Brazier (Mid Sussex Marlins)
9 Abby-Louise Rocky (Mid Sussex Marlins)
8 Isobel Bates (Mid Sussex Marlins) Eve Tidy (Mid Sussex Marlins), Megan Price (Tyldesley) & Helen Reader (Hucknall)

Izzy's success recognised by Middlesex ASA

Congratulations to Izzy Dean who was been awarded the Middlesex ASA A.Van Beets Memorial Trophy for outstanding achievement in water polo over the past year & the Middlesex ASA Ron Turner Memorial Trophy for the most improved junior water polo player over the past year. Izzy is the first girl to have ever been awarded the Ron Turner Memorial Trophy. NIce work Izzy.

Izzy along with Otter team mates Mhairi Nurthen, Kathy Rogers, Brooke Tafazolli & coach Nick Buller were also awarded certificates to congratulate them on their International Representation at the European Games & Junior World Championships on behalf of Middlesex ASA. Congratulations girls & Nick. 

WOMENS EURO LEAGUE DRAW ANNOUNCED

The draw for the Women's Euro League Qualification Round 2 has been announced.

The competition will take place on the 4th - 7th February 2016. Otter are drawn in in Group C which will be played in Porto. 

Otter will be playing Olympiacos Piraeus (GRE), NC Vouliagmeni (GRE), Plebiscito Padova (ITA) & hosts Clube Fluvial Portuense (POR). 

More details & game times to follow early 2016.

Otter qualify for Super 5's

There's a familiar look to the top women's division of BWPL again this year with Liverpool Lizards, City of Manchester, City of Coventry and Otter all qualifying once again for the Ladies Super 5s places.  Caledonia's 12-7 victory over Penguin Emperors on Sunday earned the Scots the final Super 5s spot but only once defeats were confirmed for immediate rivals Sheffield Sharks (beaten 19-10 by Otter) and Leeds Sharks (who lost 11-6 to Coventry).

Otter came away with 2 wins from 2 games for the second weekend in a row, beating Coventry 11-9 & Sheffield 19-10. In both games Otter lead from the first goal to the last, controlling the game throughout to get the wins. Both games were solid team efforts, and the team are now looking forward to taking on the best in the country once again in the Super 5's. The first games will be in Leeds December 12th & 13th. 

Otter scorers v Coventry 11-9: Claudia 4, Lex, Peggy & Hannah 2 & Izzy 1. 

Otter scorers v Sheffield 19-10: Lex, Izzy, Kathy 3, Holly, Turny, Claudia, Hannah 2, Kate & Peggy 1. 

Izzy Dean attacking for Otter. 

Izzy Dean attacking for Otter. 

LUTRA THROUGH TO CHAMPIONSHIP 1

Otter Lutra are on track to defend their Championship 1 title for a 3rd year in a row after  two wins this weekend in Walsall saw them qualify for the second phase of the competition. 

Lutra, who knew they needed one win from their two games to secure their place in the Championship 1, started their first game vs English Roses Masters strongly jumping out to 3-1 lead in the first quarter. Two goals in the second quarter to Bugsy & Anna saw Lutra go into the main break winning 5-2. And from there Lutra controlled the game, adding 3 more goals in each of the remaining quarters to win 11-5.

Otter scorers: Bugsy 5, Anna 2, Linds 1, Helena 1, Gari 1, Izzy 1.

Lutra started strongly again in their second game vs Welsh Wanders. Lutra scored four goals in each of the first two quarters while holding the Welsh to one goal per term to have the 8-2 advantage at half time. The second half was a closer affair but Lutra always looked in control winning the second half 7-5, to take the match 15-7. 

Otter goal scorers: Gari 3, Helena 2, Linds 2, Anna 2, Busgy 2, Heather 1, Sasha 1, Izzy 1, Emma 1. 

Anna in defence. 

Anna in defence.