South West U18 Girls - Inter regions Division 1 Champions 2019

Following promotion to Division 1 two years ago the girls new they were in for a very competitive weekend of waterpolo. This proved to be an understatement.

Their first match was v London who were one of the favourites. As expected this was a tight match from start to finish. Captain Lily-May Girvin got the girls off to a good start with 2 goals in the first quarter (2-2). Both teams continued to half time to make it 4-4 at the midway point with goals from Crystal Hulls and Jasmine Coleman. London took the advantage in the 3rd quarter with our captain picking up her 3rd Major foul, she could no longer play out the remainder of the fixture. Goals from Amy Berry & Milly Raymond kept us in it. South west were now trailing 7-6. The girls fought hard in the last quarter with Amy Berry,Crystal Hulls and Milly Raymond scoring their second goals of the game to bring the final score level , 9-9 with 51 seconds to go.

The second match of the day again proved to be a tense affair with the South West facing Wales.

Both teams were working very hard defensively and the first quarter ended 1-1, our goal coming from Milly Raymond. By halftime we had managed a 2-1 lead with a goal by Lily-May Girvin.

The second half carried on much the same with some great goal keeping from the Welsh goal keeper stopping our girls from opening a lead. 3rd Quarter ended 3-3(Amy Berry scoring for us).

Tense 4th quarter but the girls eventually took the game winning 4-3 with a goal by our Captain.

Sunday morning’s first match was against the East. This was a much more comfortable match with our girls dominating from start to finish. Final score 12-1 to us.

Goal scorers were Amy Berry 2, Lily-May Girvin 2, Milly Raymond 2, Crystal Hulls 2, Jasmine Coleman, Jess Garrad and Matilda Dugdale.

Onto our final fixture  v North West ( Reigning champions ) and the final match of the competition with 3 teams still able to win the title. (South West, London & North West).

The first quarter was very much a close affair with each team trading goals. 3-3 at end of 1st quarter with goals from Lily-May Girvin, Jasmine Coleman and Jess Garrad. The 2nd quarter was very one sided and the North west had clearly sussed out our tactics. Halftime score 6-3 to North West. Following a big team talk and a complete change of tactics the girls came out fighting. During the 3rd quarter goals from Lily-May and Amy brought the goal difference to 2. South West now trailing 7-5. Two Penalty saves from Poppy Elliman in goal keeping us in the game.

The final quarter saw the girls implementing the tactics perfectly and they all gelled together to claw back the difference and ended up taking the lead and winning the game 10-9.

Goals in the final quarter from Amy Berry, Lily-May Girvin, Jasmine Coleman & Crystal Hulls 2.

An amazing weekend and awesome team spirit crowned the girls champions. Most valuable player went to captain Lily-May Girvin

Simon Tomlinson - South West Girls Head coach.