Polo Press Reports 2004
03.12.04
Watford continue their hoodoo over Hatfield to march into cup semi-finals
Watford secured a Winter League cup-double over local rivals
Hatfield on Monday night to move into the Semi-Finals of the Winter League
Senior Knockout Cup.
Watford held on in a nail-biting finale to edge a tightly fought contest 5-4 and
will now travel to fellow Division One side Hornchurch on January 13.
After a cagey first quarter had ended goalless, Watford took the lead through
junior captain Adam Collins but a mixture of poor shooting and Hatfield's
inspired Hungarian goalkeeper denied them the chance to extend their advantage.
Watford were made to pay for their wastefulness when Hatfield scored twice in a
two-minute spell to get their noses in front at the half-way point.
The third period opened with Watford gaining parity at 2-2 thanks to an
inch-perfect pass from Watford's Andy Strong which was expertly converted by
Collins for his second goal of the night. Minutes later, Watford forced
the home side into conceding a major foul and from the man-up advantage Lee Bell
put his side back in front.
Watford looked home and dry when Andy Strong and Roy Coulson, rounded off a fine
three-man move, scored at the start of the final period, but a late Hatfield
rally, featuring two quick-fire goals, forced Watford to hang on in an anxious
last few minutes.
Watford: Chambers, Dunjerovic (Capt), Ginty, Collins, Strong, Coulson,
Lucas, Green, Bell, Phillips, Milos.
Watford's Under-16's kick off their Winter League campaign when they host
Brentwood, Chelmsford and Bedford Modern School in Round One of the Championship
at Watford's Central Baths on Sunday, 3pm start.
19.11.04
Hat's off to Watford as Drago's men hit a dozen to book Semi-Final place
Invitation Handicap Knockout Cup
Watford 12 - Hatfield 2
Watford booked their place in the Semi-Finals of the competition
and a show-down with Enfield after an emphatic win over Hatfield.
The game was all one-way traffic as Watford took the match by the scruff of the
neck to charge into a four goal lead thanks to a brace from Nick Ginty and solo
efforts from Drago Dundjerovic and Roy Coulson.
The second period proved to be more cat and mouse as each side had to work hard
to find the opening in the opposition's defence and it was the hosts who managed
to force the visitors into conceding a major foul after two minutes play.
From the man-up advantage, Jason Lucas found room on the left flank to score
from two metres. The visitors hit back moments later when Dundjerovic
committed a major foul and Hatfield's Simon Viney found the back of the Watford
net.
The third period again followed in the same vein as the previous quarter with
both sides having to work hard to find the openings but Watford proved the
stronger as they increased their lead by a further two goals thanks to strikes
from Ginty to complete his hat-trick, and a second from Lucas.
The hosts dominated the final period and ran in a further five goals to
Hatfield's one to complete an impressive evening. The goal scorers were
Adam Collins, Lucas, Ginty and a brace for Coulson.
Watford are back in action on Monday, November 29, when they visit Hatfield
again, this time in the Winter League Senior Knockout Cup.
Meanwhile, Watford's Under-18 side kick off their Winter League campaign when
they travel to St Paul's School in London on Sunday and take on Sutton,
Beckenham and Hailsham.
12.11.04
Watford break Herts
Cup duck to end Bedford reign
Herts League Cup Final
Watford 10 - Bedford 8
Watford went some way to salvaging a dreadful season by picking
up their first Herts League Cup success in 24 years following a 11-10 victory
against arch rivals Bedford.
Watford entered the game with a 2-1 deficit because of the handicap system, but,
apart from a late surge, Bedford were unable to hold onto their lead as they
lost their grip on the club for the first time in six years.
The game opened with Watford conceding a major-foul after only 40 seconds but a
strong rearguard action prevented Bedford from opening the scoring.
With two minutes on the clock Watford's Richard Hime found space on the wing and
his well-executed shot gave his side the lead. Bedford hit back soon after to
level at one a piece however further Watford pressure resulted in a man-up and
from this advantage Lee Bell put his side back in front at 2-1 but with the
quarter coming to a close Bedford again managed to level the scores.
The second and third period proved to be Watford's strongest and within two
minutes of the second period starting they had established a 5-2 lead thanks to
goals from Mico Pavlovic, James Kattan and a second from Bell. Bedford hit back
moments later but a second from Pavlovic maintained his sides lead at 6-3.
The third period again opened with Watford in dominant mood and they extended
their lead to 8-3 thanks to a brace from Tom Perry. Bedford came back with
a goal shortly after, however with the quarter coming to a close Watford broke
up a Bedford attack and the ball was feed out to Kattan who swam in on goal to
score from three metres to give his side a 9-4 lead at the end of the third
period.
The final period opened with Bedford determined to get back in to the game and
after four minutes play they had scored three goals to reduce the scored to 9-7
with Watford starting to wobble.
Watford's Neil Haftel committed a major foul but Bedford were unable to take
advantage of the man-up situation and, turning defence into attack, Watford's
Bell found time and space to unleash a fierce shot into the top corner for his
hat-trick on the night to put his club 10-7 up. Bedford again scored to move the
scores onto 10-8 but Watford held out in a nervous last couple of minutes to
secure the silverware.
Watford: Chambers, Dunjerovic, Perry, Milos, Phillips, Haftel, Bell, Hime,
Ginty, Pavlovic, Coulson, Kattan.
08.10.04
Watford reach Herts Final
Watford booked their
place in the Final of the Herts Cup last week after beating Hertford 9-3.
Needing to overcome a five-goal deficit under Handicap rules, Watford made the
dream start when Mico Pavlovic scored twice, including a penalty in the opening
minutes before Neil Haftel struck to put them three goals to the good.
A combination of good goalkeeping and poor shooting denied Hatfield at the start
of the second quarter and they were made to pay for their wastefulness when
Jason Lucas and Haftel scored to increase Watford’s lead to five.
Hertford pulled one back just before the break, but a quick brace from captain
Richard Hime and another from Pavlovic, to complete his hat-trick, moved Watford
in front overall for the first time.
Hertford opened and completed the scoring in the final quarter, but a major foul
by the home proved decisive as Lucas grabbed his second of the night to settle
things.
Watford will now meet either Bedford or Biggleswade in the Final at Hatfield on
Monday, November 1.
Watford: Chambers, Dunjerovic, Charnock, Green, Phillips, Dollard, Bell, Hime,
Cuthbert, Pavlovic, Collins, Lucas, Haftel.
Watford Under-15 finished their London League season in second spot after
securing victory in their final two games.
Watford defeated Hailsham 15-2 in the first game, Greg Schey (6), Matt Toothill
(4) and Arran Bowen la Grange (3) scoring 13 between them, while Toohill grabbed
another four-goal haul, taking his tally to 35 for the season, in the 8-4
victory over Croydon Amphibians.
Watford Toothill, Dixie, Bowen la Grange, Schey, Alland, Coulson, Hosker,
Rogers, Forbes.
24.09.04
Watford handed League lifeline
Watford’s bid to
maintain their place in the London League Premier Division received a timely
fillip this week after they were handed the points from a key relegation clash
with Beckenham, who failed to raise a side for Wednesday nights game.
John Martin-Dye’s side now sit just one point adrift of safety with two games in
hand and know that victory in the return leg away on October, 26 will guarantee
safety.
In the Herts League, Watford maintained their slim hopes of retaining the title
by beating current league leaders Bedford 12-9 last week.
The star of the night was Andy Holt who scored six times, while Paul Skerm found
the net four times in a win that leaves Watford three points behind the leaders
with three games remaining.
Elsewhere, the club’s Under-18 side , inspired by a five-goal haul from Ben
Dollard, consolidated their position in third spot in the Junior Championship
table following their 12-3 demolition of league leaders Croydon Amphibian’s
first team on Sunday afternoon.
Watford continued their good form with two friendly wins on Tuesday night,
plundering 26 goals in the process, in a round robin tournament held at
Haberdashers School in Elstree.
10.09.04
Watford Hopes sunk after double defeat
Watford all but
surrendered the Herts League title they have held for the past three years with
two shock defeats in a week.
Watford slumped to a narrow defeat last Thursday when they went down 5-4 defeat
to Cambridge.
Richard Hime netted early for Watford before Cambridge raced into a 3-1 lead.
Goals from James McMaster and Neil Haftel then levelled the scores before
Cambridge again moved into the lead.
Cambridge extended their lead in the third quarter but the final period saw
Watford step up a gear and after only 30 seconds Hime found time and space to
receive a pass from Drago Dunjerovic to score from five metres. Further chances
fell to the Watford forwards but some excellent goalkeeping and desperate
defending kept the visitors at bay.
Their final attack produced a penalty for Watford but the normally deadly Hime
saw his shot saved by the Cambridge keeper.
Watford: Chambers, Dunjerovic, Charnock, Green, Haftel, McMaster, Bell, Lucas,
Dollard, Skerm, Coulson, Collins, Dollard.
On Monday, Watford travelled to Biggleswade and again failed to pick up a win,
going down 7-4.
The visitors trailed at the half-way stage 4-1, with Neil Haftel getting on the
score sheet for Watford.
A two goal salvo from Drago Dundjerovic pulled his side to within a goal in the
third period but poor defending allowed the hosts back in to close the quarter
at 6-3.
The final period saw Watford score first thanks to a wonderfully timed lob shot
from Phil Green but again Biggleswade came back to maintain their three goal
lead and secure a first win against Watford for four years.
Watford: Chambers (GK), Dunjerovic, Charnock, Green, Haftel, Kattan, Lucas,
Coulson, Ihlenfeldt, Milos, Strong.
Watford face a tough task when they entertain league leaders Bedford on
Wednesday.
13.08.04
Watford may be languishing in the London League but they remain
on course to retain the Herts League title after a 4-2 victory over Hertford
last week.
Although the victory against a side marooned at the foot of the
table was far from convincing, it was enough to move Watford to the top of the
table, two points ahead of Bedford who have a game in hand.
Missing ten first team regulars, Watford were forced to field two
recent signings and a mixture of first and second XI players last Wednesday, and
one of the players to grab his chance was junior Adam Collins who plundered a
match-winning hat-trick.
Collins struck three times in the first half of the match to give
Watford a 3-1 lead at the break, but it could have been a different story had
Hertford taken one of their numerous chances.
After a goalless third quarter, Hertford looked to have set up a
grandstand finale when they pulled one back within a minute of the fourth
quarter, but Watford settled things when Collins' cross-pitch found Will
Charnock unmarked and he made no mistake from four metres to claim his first
goal for the club.
Watford: Chambers, Dunjerovic, Charnock, Lucas, J Martin-Dye, Strong, Bell, Collins, Phillips.
16.07.04
Watford, inspired by a hat-trick from Lee Bell, cast aside their
poor form in the London Premier Division to move within one point of Herts
League leaders Bedford following an uplifting 11-6 win at home to Harlow on
Wednesday night.
Neil Haftel opened the scoring after just four minutes, but
Harlow were level almost immediately.
Seven goals were added in an entertaining second quarter, the
pick of which was Phil Green's lob shot which gave the home side a 5-4 lead at
the half-way point.
Watford forged an 8-4 lead at the start of the third quarter
courtesy of a brace from James McMaster and a second for Bell, but Harlow
reduced the deficit to just three with a goal just before the whistle. However, Watford wrapped up the points with goals from Bell,
completing his hat-trick, Dollard and Ian Meiers moving them into an
unassailable 11-5 lead.
09.07.04
Watford slumped to their fourth successive defeat in the London
Premier Division on Wednesday to all but guarantee relegation when they lost
12-7 to Hornchurch.
Watford started well enough with a brae from Paul Skerm ensuring parity at the
end of the first quarter, but, with Hornchurch's ex-England captain Tony Croft
pulling the string, the visitors raced into a 10-4 lead by the end of the third.
Watford did restore some pride, winning the final quarter 3-2 thanks to goals
from Skerm, Ben Dollard and Mark Cuthbert.
Watford: Chambers, Dunjerovic, Milos, Green, Skerm, McMaster, Collins,
Coulson, Dollard, Strong, Cuthbert, Philips.
02.07.04
Watford's miserable week continued on Monday when they went down
15-10 away to third placed Sutton & Cheam in the Premier Division of the London
League.
Again missing key personnel Richard Hime, Graham Martin-Dye and Mico Pavlovic,
Watford struggled against a team containing current England internationals Chris
Evans and Mark Bayliss.
A Bayliss hat-trick put the home side in control early, opening up a 5-2 lead
with Paul Skerm grabbing a double for Watford.
The second quarter saw Watford hit back with two quick Skerm goals after some
fine approach play from Ian Meiers and Lee Bell but Sutton restored their two
goal advantage moments later. Although a well-taken brace from Meiers
pulled his side back to within a goal as half-time approached. Sutton's
Bayliss hit his fourth of the night to give the home side an 8-6 lead.
Both sides traded goals in the third, with Skerm getting his sixth and seventh
of the night, but Sutton took a grip of the game, and although Skerm scored his
eighth in the fourth, Sutton were already home and dry by this point.
Watford face Hornchurch at home on Wednesday, knowing only a win will be enough
to give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation.
Watford; S Chambers, D Dunjerovic, M Milos, P Green, L Bell, A Strong, S Phillips, R Coulson, P Skerm, I Meiers, H Man.
25.06.04
Watford plummeted to the foot of the London League Premier
Division table after defeat at home to Hammersmith Penguin on Wednesday night.
The comprehensive 20-4 reverse leaves John Martin-Dye's side with just four
points from their opening three games, although they do have as many as four
games in hand on the teams above them.
Denuded by the absence of their kingpin Graham Martin-Dye, the England
international, Watford were always faced with an uphill task to replicate last
season's success, but a knee injury to Richard Hime and the absence of Ian
Meiers and Mico Pavlovic hit Watford hard on Wednesday night.
The writing was on the wall once Penguin opened the scoring after only 59
seconds and, although Paul Skerm levelled matters two minutes later, the home
side's worst fears were realised when Hammersmith stormed into an 8-2 half-time
lead.
Despite a strike from junior captain Adam Collins in the third quarter, the
Penguin's increased their lead to 12-3 after three quarters of the match before
cutting loose in the final period where they plundered eight more goals.
Lee Bell pulled one back for Watford but it came too little too late as
Hammersmith ran out 20-4 worthy winners.
There was better news, however, for Watford on Saturday when they retained the
Biggleswade Annual Tournament trophy after beating Harlow in the Final, 4-3
after extra-time, thanks to goals from Lee Bell (2), Paul Skerm Y Richard Hime.
Watford: Chambers, Skerm, Hime, Bell, Milos, Green, Philips, Collins,
Ginty, Rogers.
18.06.04
WATFORD kept up the pressure on Herts League leaders Bedford
with a hard-fought win over local rivals Hatfield on Wednesday.
Although not at their best, Watford seemed to have the points in
the bag after establishing a 7-3 half-time lead but they took their foot off the
pedal, allowing Hatfield to move within one score, before scoring four-goals in
the final period to move to within four points of the summit.
Captain Richard Hime gave the home side a dream start by scoring
twice inside 90 seconds and although Dennis Nelson pulled one back for Hatfield,
Neil Haftel squeezed in a shot from close range to put Watford in control after
the first period.
However, Watford's lead was wiped up within minutes of the second
quarter when Nelson plundered two quick-fire goals which prompted some
substitutions from coach John Martin-Dye. The move paid dividends as Watford powered into a 7-3 half-time
lead thanks to a brace from Paul Skerm and further goals from Ben Dollard and
Luke Rogers.
The third quarter was all Hatfield, though, as the visitors,
plundered three goals in as many minutes to leave the match finely poised going
into the final period.
Once again, though, it was some astute changes from Martin-Dye
that sparked Watford into life. Adam Collins gave the home side a two-goal
cushion with a goal after just 22 seconds and Watford looked home and hosed
when, with a man advantage following a major foul, Hime completed his hat-trick
for 9-6. Although Hatfield pulled one back through Colin Giblen, Watford
made the game safe when further goals from Hime and Haftel completed the
scoring.
Watford: Meiers, Hime (Capt0, Rogers, Milos, Green, Bell,
Haftel, Strong, Collins, Coulson, Skerm, Dollard, Cuthbert.
Watford assumed pole position at the top of the Under-15's London
League following two crushing victories at Watford Central Baths on Sunday
afternoon.
The hosts opened their account by putting Croydon Amphibians
second XI to the sword in ruthless fashion. Captain Matt Toothill led the
rout with a stunning eight-goal haul while further goals from Matt Dixie (5),
Guy Rogers (4), Greg Schey (2) and Nick Forbes completed the scoring.
Watford's rich vein of form continued in their second game when
they trounced Hailsham 19-0. Toothill again led by example, running in a
further seven goals, Nick Forbes helped himself to a double hat-trick while
Dixie (3), Guy Rogers (2) and Greg Schey also got themselves on the sheet.
With four games to go any of the five competing teams can claim
the Championship but Watford's superior goal difference may prove crucial as
they head into the next round of matches on Sunday, July 11th.
Watford: Murkin, Dixie, Schey, Coulson, Allard, Toothill,
Hosker, Rogers, Forbes, Rogers.
11.06.04
Watford Under-15's host the second round of the London League
Championship this Sunday and will hope that home advantage can propel them off
the bottom of the table.
With current league leaders Croydon Amphibians first team having
the afternoon off, Watford will be looking for maximum points from the afternoon
in their two fixtures against Croydon's second team and Sussex-based outfit
Hailsham.
Croydon's second team can also claim to spot if they win their
two fixtures against Watford and Sutton, making the opening game of the
afternoon between Watford and Croydon vital. With three teams on four points and Croydon seconds on five, any
of the afternoon's four competing team's can leap-frog Croydon first's in to
that coveted pole position.
However if host club Watford can repeat their round one success
against Croydon's second team when they won 5-2 and claim victory against
Hailsham they will top the group Central to Watford's plans will be the free-scoring Matt Toothill,
who claimed seven goals in Round One of the competition. He will be
supported in attack by Matt Dixie and Greg Schey. The action takes place at Watford Central Baths at 3pm and is
free to watch. The Watford senior side return to action on Wednesday, when they
host Hatfield in the Herts League.
04.06.04
Watford moved back to the top of the
Hertfordshire League after a hard-fought 9-6 win over Biggleswade at Watford
Baths on Wednesday night.
The hosts dominated the opening quarter but only had one goal to show for their
efforts after a number of fine saves from Biggleswade keeper Martin Grays,
leading goal-scorer James Kattan eventually put Watford into the lead through.
However, Biggleswade turned the encounter on its head in the second quarter with
a four-goal salvo from Simon Gregory, James McMaster and Mark Cuthbert netted
for Watford through as the visitors took a 4-3 lead into half-time.
Watford came out in a far more determined mood in the second-half and an early
strike from Roy Coulson after a Mico Pavlovic rebound put the home side back on
level terms. After the visitors had a man sent out for a major foul.
Watford took control and Paviovic put his side ahead with a shot from four
metres out. As the quarter came to a close, Kattan found himself in space and
took a long pass from Drago Dunjerovicc before rounding the keeper and scoring.
Watford extended their lead to three goals early in the fourth with a
well-worked goal from Cuthbert before Biggleswade hit back after a poor
defensive clearance from the home side. However Kattan went on to complete
his hat-trick before Adam Collins grabbed the ninth.
Watford: S Chambers; D Dunjerovic, M Pavlovic, M Milos, J Kattan, L Bell, N Haftel, R Hime, A Collins, I Meiers, J McMaster, R Coulson, M Cuthbert.
21.05.04
Roy Coulson staked his claim for a regular
starting berth with a four-goal salvo in Watford's friendly win over Hatfield on
Monday.
The performance of the youngster, who is still
eligible for the Under-15 side, was the highlight of the night for Watford who
got some much-needed match practice under their belt ahead of next week's trip
to champions Reading in the London League. With the emphasis on attack and starving their
hosts of the ball, Watford began well but they were denied the goals their play
merited by a string of fine saves from the Hatfield keeper Dave Smith.
Watford's failure to turn their possession into
something tangible cost them dear when, with the quarter coming to a close,
Hatfield's Spanish import Pedro Filter found space at the back stick to open the
scoring.
Things got even worse for the visitors in the
second period when Hatfield scored twice more, but Watford's ex-Yugoslavian
professional Mico Pavlovic gave his side a lifeline when he stole possession to
score from four metres.
Following an inspirational half-time pep talk
from coach John Martin-Dye, Watford scored twice through Coulson and trialist
Andy Strong in the opening minutes of the third quarter to draw level, and,
after Hatfield had got their noses in front once more, Coulson swam the lengthy
of the pool to score and ensure parity as the game entered the final quarter.
After Hatfield had scored again to establish a
one-goal lead, the final period was virtually all Watford as they scored four
unanswered goals to take control. Coulson completed his hat-trick.
Steve Philips put Watford in front for the first time in the match, Coulson
claimed his fourth before a strike from Phil Green gave Watford the comfort of a
three-goal cushion.
A late effort from Hatfield came too little too
late as Watford, to the delight of the coach, claimed a moral-boosting victory.
"The team need to improve on attacking set-plays and awareness but overall it
was a good team performance when you consider we were without several first team
players," said Dye.
Watford: Chambers, Ginty, Strong, Green,
Meiers, Dunjerovic, Pavlovic, Coulson, Dollard.
Watford Under-15's opened their London League
campaign on Sunday with a win and a defeat.
In the opening game against Sutton & Cheam,
Watford were left with a mountain to climb after finding themselves 5-0 down at
the half-way point. However, a hat-trick from Matt Toothill and a
solitary goal from Matt Dixie gave them hope, before Sutton found the net twice
more to take the match 7-4.
Watford bounced back in their second match to
vanquish Croydon Amphibians 6-2. Toothill Continued his impressive form
with a four-goal burst while Grey Schey weighed in with a brace to seal the
victory.
Watford: Rogers, Toothill, Dixie, Schey,
Forbes, Coulson, Allard, Hosker Rogers.
14.05.04
Watford's hopes of topping London League
pacesetters Otter were ended by a six-goal burst either side of the third and
fourth quarter that consigned them to a 10-4 defeat on Wednesday night.
John Martin-Dye's side more than held their own in the opening half and had
taken the lead on three occasions through in-form captain Richard Hime, but on
each occasion they were pegged back.
Otter moved in front for the first time at the beginning of the third quarter,
but Hime restored almost parity immediately with his fourth of the night. But
that was to signal the end of Watford's challenge as from then on it was all
Otter. The visitors plundered six goals in a blistering spell to take an
unassailable 10-4 lead. Mico Pavlovic managed to pull one back for Watford but
it came too little too late to prevent Otter from extending their 100 per cent
start to the season.
Last week, Watford got the defence of their Herts League title back on track
with a conclusive 15-4 victory over Hertford.
Stunned by the defeat at home to Cambridge last time out, Watford looked much
more like their old selves and always looked in control once leading goal scorer
James Kattan had opened the scoring after just 90 seconds.
After 33 seconds of the second quarter Kattan had already plundered a hat-trick
and further goals from Neil Haftel, Roy Coulson and captain Richard Hime gave
the home side a 6-2 lead at the break.
The in-form Kattan took his own personal tally to five with two more strikes in
the third quarter, which also featured efforts from Meiers and Coulson, to put
Watford out of sight at 10-3. Hertford pulled one back at the start of the final
period, but Watford responded in blistering fashion by plundering five more
goals through Lee Bell (2), Meiers (2) and Hime.
19.03.04
Watford Water Polo Club opened their London
League Premier Division campaign with a disappointing 9-9 draw with Sutton and
Cheam on Wednesday night, having failed to capitalise on a three-goal lead after
the firs quarter.
Mico Pavlovic, Drago Dunjerovic, captain Richard Hime, Lee Bell and Ian Meiers
were on the mark as Watford flew out of the blocks into a 5-2 lead.
However, from the second quarter onwards Sutton were in defiant mood, and the
home side were reliant on further goals from Bell, Hime and a brace from Paul
Skerm as they were left clinging on for the draw by the end.
Watford: Dunjerovi, Pavlovic, Coulson, Milos, Bell Green, Dollard, Rogers,
Collins, Skerm, Meiers.
Watford's Under-18's completed their Winter
League campaign on Sunday afternoon with an excellent 9-9 draw against eventual
league winner's Croydon Amphibians. Ben Dollard lead the way with a
hat-trick and a brace each from Collins, Toothill and Coulson made up the other
scores.
The two points earned from this draw gave Watford second spot in the table.
Chris Collins, the Watford Junior coach, said, "after a long hard season the
boys performed well on the day and to finish second is an excellent
achievement".
Watford Under-18's: Coulson, Cuthbert, Collins (Capt), Toothill, Dollard,
Schey, La Bowen Grange, Souter.
19.03.04
WATFORD Water Polo Cub secured the Winter League
Division Two title on Wednesday with a hard-fought 5-3 win against Bexley at
Watford Swimming Baths.
In a game of few chances, both goalkeepers were at their best but it was Watford
who got off to the flying start, opening up a two-goal cushion after the first
quarter.
Richard Hime opened the scoring for Watford with less than a minute on the
clock, and although Bexley came storming back, Watford keeper Steve Chambers
made a number of fine saves.
Paul Skerm extended the lead after turning his man and finding the top corner,
and although Bexley reduced the gap, Skerm struck in the final minute to put
Watford 2-1 ahead.
Neither side were able to register in the second quarter before Skerm completed
his hat-trick in the third quarter, although Bexley's Dave Watson hauled his
side back into contention with an excellent shot which found the top corner of
the net.
Bexley piled forward in the final quarter, and deservedly grabbed a life-line
with a minute remaining. However, at the death, Hime found Richard Coulson
in space and he slammed the ball home to seal the championship.
Watford: Chambers, Dundjerovic, Skerm, Hime, Collins, Cuthbert, Coulson,
Dollard, Milos, Green, Philips, Golding.
12.03.04
Watford Water Polo Club produced their worst
performance of the season in Tuesday night's first leg of the Winter League
Knockout Cup as they slumped to a 7-4 defeat.
Having entered the game six goals down due to the handicap rules and will now
have to win the return leg in two week's time by a ten-goal margin to capture
the cup. Pavlovic (2), Richard Hime were on the scoresheet for Watford.
Watford: Chambers, Dundjerovic (Capt), Pavlovic, Hime, Collins, Cuthbert,
Coulson, Dollard, Milos, Green, Phillips.
Watford Under-18's threw down the gauntlet to
league leaders Croydon Amphibians on Sunday afternoon with two fine wins to
ensure that the Winter League Junior Championship goes right to the wire.
Luke Rogers was outstanding in the Watford goal in the first match against
Brentwood as Ben Dollard (4), Roy Coulson (3), Matt Toothill (3) and leading
goalscorer and captain Adam Collins (5) all netted as Watford ran out resounding
16-3 victors.
The same side edged a tense encounter 8-6 in the following match, against RTW
Monsoon. Again Dollard struck a hat-trick. Collins and Coulson
braces a place and Toothill was also on target.
05.03.04
WATFORD WATER POLO Club's bid to win the Winter League
Division Two will go down to the last game of the season after Watford lost 12-6
to Eastern Otter on Wednesday night (Friday, March 5). Missing Richard Hime, Ian
Meiers, Marco Milos, Paul Skerm and Phil Green proved too big an obstacle for
Watford, who scored through Mico Pavlovic (2), Adam Collins, Roy Souter and
Rogers.
Watford now must beat Bexley at home on Wednesday, March 17, to take the title.
20.02.04
WATFORD continued their recent rich vein of form in
the Winter League Division Two with an 11-4 win at Bexley.
Watford stormed into an early 4-0 lead, through braces from Paul Skerm and Mico
Pavlovic, and, in the second period, went further ahead through an Ian Meirs
double and another from Skerm.
Pavlovic notched his hat-trick in the third, later to be joined by Meirs, and a
fourth from Skerm, before Skerm swam the length of the pool to claim his fifth
of the evening. With only three league matches remaining, against Hatfield,
Eastern Otter and Enfield, Watford will be crowned champions with three
victories.
Watford: S Chambers, D Dundjerovic, R Hime, S Phillips, I Meirs, M Pavlovic, J Barnes, P Skerm, P Green.