Bristol Central Mens Water Polo National League 2003

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	DIFF	PTS
Lancaster	12	10	0	2	119	65	+54	20
Bristol	12	8	0	4	107	94	+13	16
Rotherham	12	4	1	7	84	87	-3	9
Penguin	12	4	0	8	76	109	-33	8
Cheltenham	12	2	1	9	80	111	-31	5

A tearaway start by Lancaster - they were 3-0 ahead in the first period and 8-2 up at half-time - set up a 12-8 victory over Bristol at Loughborough and ensured the Division One title once again by an impressive four-point margin.

Bristol came more into the game in the second half but always struggled to hold the outstanding young England player Tom Curwen, who finished with five goals. Colin Burgess (3) Doug Campbell (2), Neil Bowers and Chris Hartley were the other scorers while goalkeeper David Bush made several fine saves against his former club.

Bristol, who take runners-up spot, scored through John Sissons (3), Craig Figes (3), Jon Hutchings and Paul Morris.

With eight games played, Penguin slip to third behind leaders Lancaster (12 points) and Bristol Central , who improved their tally to 10 with exciting wins over Rotherham and Cheltenham .

Bristol can thank veteran goalkeeper Andy Knight for their 13-12 victory against Rotherham. The ex-international saved at point blank range to thwart a Rotherham breakaway with just five seconds remaining on the clock.

Craig Figes was the star of the derby against Cheltenham, scoring six times to ensure a 9-7 win after the score was level at 5-5 after three periods. Parsonage (3) and David Taylor (2) were on target for Cheltenham.

The double was particularly significant because leaders Penguin dropped vital points - in a tense 10-8 defeat by Bristol. Penguin and Lancaster now both have eight points from six games, followed by Bristol (six from six) and Rotherham (four from six).

Lancaster-Bristol clashes are always closely fought affairs and the match at Millfield was no exception. Bristol led 2-1 at the half way point but then Lancaster gained control, leading 3-2 after the third period and eventually winning 5-2. Tom Curwen (2), Colin Burgess, Neil Bowers and Jim Lafferty scored their goals.

Bristol's match with Penguin was one of the most exciting of the weekend. The sides were all square at 5-5 after two periods; then Penguin took an 8-6 lead in the third. That spurred a Bristol fightback and they stormed ahead in the final period with goals by Craig Figes (2), Jez Sherman and Jon Hutchings.

The final period was decisive for Penguin against Bristol , goals by Elder, Schiavottello and Martin-Dye clinching a 7-6 win after Bristol led 5-3 at the three-quarter stage.

It was a disappointing weekend all round for Bristol. Earlier, they crashed 13-6 to Rotherham, whose main scorers were Chris Kirby (3), Paul Gregory (3), Liam Pearl (2) and Ashley King (2). Jon Hutchings and Craig Figes both scored twice for Bristol.

Bristol Central are the early pacesetters in the National League first division after winning their three matches at Sheffield - including a dramatic 11-7 success against reigning champions Lancaster .

Penguin's loss of all six points gained at Ponds Forge (see News Page) - the result of including an unregistered player - means that already Bristol are the only team with a 100 per cent record.

Craig Figes starred in Bristol's clash with Lancaster, two sides that, since 1995, have shared the league title between them. Figes bagged five. Other scorers were Jon Hutchings (3), Jez Sherman, Rhys Tamlyn and Mark Thresher. Doug Campbell (3), Neil Bowers (2), Colin Burgess and Curwen replied.

Bristol beat Cheltenham 11-6 after the West Country sides were locked at 4-4 at half-time. The third quarter saw Bristol surge ahead to establish an 8-4 lead through Hutchings (2), Bird and Thresher.

National League 2003 : You can pick out our results and the league tables and there are also some match reports you could use especially the first weekend when we famously whooped Lancaster !!!