Bristol Central played local rivals Cheltenham in Bristol & West Water Polo league title decider on Thursday in front of 110 noisy and enthusiastic supporters.

Both teams are currently ranked in the top 5 in Britain and were in final preparations for the National League season which begin in September

Central, almost at full strength began slowly and poor defensive work left starting ‘keeper and Welsh Junior International Farror, exposed to close range shooting which Cheltenham capitalised on, even without injured international Banwell. Clinical finishing by Cheltenham meant they led the 1 st quarter 4- 3.

Crawford, Central's International goalkeeper took his place in goal and sharp defence and quick turnover possession early in the 2 nd period meant Central went into half time 6- 5 up.

Central's fast counter attacking play came to the fore early in the 3 rd and 4 quick goals from veteran Sissons (2) Williams and Figes started to see the home team's superiority. With Poole, Coles, Manion & Harper coming off the bench and linking well with the senior players Central ended the 3 rd period with a clear 12- 6 advantage.

Superior fitness and good high pressure defence saw Central produce some great goals as the stretched their lead further and as Cheltenham began to let their heads drop Central ran out easy winners 18 – 8 to secure their 12 th straight Bristol & West league title.

Scorers for Central were, Sissons 5, Williams 4, Hutchens 3, Figes 2, Harper, Morris, Poole and Thresher (Capt.)

This completed Central's preparation for the forthcoming National League season but they will have to cope without their leading player and current Great Britain captain Craig Figes for most of the season.

Figes , after previous spells in the tough Australian Water Polo League with Sydney side Wests, has been signed by Metropole , a strong Spanish division 1 club based in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. With Spain having a high quality league and gold medal winners in the '96 Olympics, this step up in competitive play and fitness should be a tough challenge for Figes 26, but he should be capable of breaking into the teams starting line up with his combination of outstanding fitness and deadly goal scoring skills.

Central may also lose Captain Matt Thresher, who is being offered trials with clubs in Spain and Australia and this will mean that Central will have to be at the top of their game in the forthcoming season if they are to reach the runners up spot they attained in 2005.