Kendal 15

Stretford 19

Bolton and District League Cup Final

IN THEIR first year playing in the Bolton and District Water Polo League, Kendal reached the final of the League Cup in Salford on Friday night and narrowly lost to a strong Stretford side 19-15.

Stretford, currently Bolton and District League Champions, got off to a bright start threatening the Kendal goal early. however Kendal goalkeeper Richard Foster kept them at bay. Stretford broken the deadlock with goal from their GB international Tom Curwin, However, Kendal rallied and goals from Brett Sharpe and Sam Routledge meant the game was tied at 5-5 after the first quarter.

Another tight quarter followed with Stretford edging the second quarter 11-10.

In the third quarter, Stretford extended their lead, but Kendal dug deep and brought the game level at 12-12 with well worked goals from Myles Little and Routledge again. However, it was Stretford and Curwin in particular who stretched the Stretford lead to 17-14.

Strong work in defence from Kendal’s Nathan Holme and John Dixon, plus good saves again from Foster early in the final quarter gave Kendal a chance at sneaking a win.

But two more goals from Curwin secured the victory for Stretford and dispite a consolation goal from Matt Little, Stretford took a hard-fought win 19-15.