With the best of Britain on show at the Manchester Aquatics Centre the spectators were treated to a day of first class water polo. Looking to make it four British titles in a row, City of Manchester women's team came into the match with an unbeaten run of 15 and the 2011 League title to their name. Having convincingly beaten West London Penguin 11-6 yesterday in the semi-final Manchester were up against City of Liverpool who were looking to avenge their fourth place finish at last year's Championships.
Liverpool got the goal scoring underway and a competitive first quarter saw the teams match each other goal for goal ending 2-2 after the first eight minutes. Tactical work and tight defences kept the scoring low throughout the second period ending with the half-time whistle blowing at 3-3, but it was Manchester's strength that proved the differentiator as they began to run away with the match. Penalties were exchanged, each finding the back of the net, but Manchester's next four goals left Liverpool with too much to do.
A late penalty scored by Liverpool's Becky Benson was not enough to harm Manchester's hold on the game and the home side won their fourth British Championships title 9-5. "It's amazing," said Manchester team captain Kate Massender. "The whole team's worked really hard and we've had a great season so far, so it's all paid off. "The end of the match was much better for us, we stepped up our game and played well. Claire [Nixon] scored four goals - she's got a cracking shot and not much can stop her!" The third/fourth play-off between last year's runners-up, West London Penguin, and London Otter needed extra time to find a winner. After a 5-5 draw in normal time, the players lined up to contest two further periods of three minutes each. Near misses and close saves kept the first period goalless, but it was Lorelle Dooley who fired the deciding shot for Penguin and eventually won them the match which finished 6-5.
The third/fourth place play-off saw last year's champions Lancaster claim a 10-8 victory over Cheltenham in a hard fought match.
Match results:
Women's Final
City of Manchester 9 - 5 City of Liverpool
Women's 3/4 Play-off
West London Penguin 6 - 5 London Otter
