Harrogate Ladies Waterpolo . . . . . . . . Sponsored by: Davey's Displays

Harrogate booked their place in Division 1 for next season by winning all 3 games in the Division 1/2 playoffs at Walsall on the weekend of 20-21 January 2007.

The first game was against Coventry who, having played virtually all season off 8 players, turned up with 11. Coventry’s experience of Division 1 showed with an evenly matched game up to half time with the score at 5-5. The stamina of the Coventry players wained in the 2nd half and the fitness of the Harrogate squad came through allowing them to dominate. Harrogate didn’t concede a goal in the 2nd half and eventually ran out comfortable winners 16-5.

The second game was against Manchester B, who had won all their games in the league season to claim the Division 2 title. Harrogate only 2 defeats of the season were to Manchester, so pride was at stake for both sides. This turned out to probably be the best game of the weekend. It was fast and furious from start to finish with both sides fully committed to winning the game. Harrogate were never behind but every time they got a lead, Manchester, as expected, fought back, with penalties being scored, missed and saved for both sides. The game could have gone either way. Harrogate’s resilience came through in the last quarter allowing them to edge away to win 12-9.

This game had the crowd on the edge of their seats and was a great advert for the sport of waterpolo. Both sides will be playing in Division 1 next season and deservedly so.

By the time the 3rd game against Haywards Heath on Sunday was played, Haywards Heath’s fate was already decided, by losing to Coventry they were already relegated, but to their credit they came out and made Harrogate work hard for a slender 1st half lead, after half time Harrogate went up a gear and eventually won at a canter only conceding one 2nd half goal late on, final score 13-4 to Harrogate.

In summary, a great team performance throughout the weekend with everyone contributing to the wins, whether it was great goal scoring or excellent defending.

The Stats:-

Lindsey Johnston	3 penalty saves		Alison Mell	7 goals
Rachel Drabble	10 goals		Sarah Drabble	3 goals
Julia Mackay	9 goals		Judi Clayton	2 goals
Anna Richardson	8 goals		Sam Crawford	1 goal
			Ashley Chattaway	1 goal