Ireland and South East on top at U18 Girls’ Inter Regional Championships

Ireland and the South East came out on top at the U18 Girls Inter Regional Water Polo Championships 2024 with Ireland winning division one and South East securing the division two crown.

Both competitions went down to the wire with Ireland’s win being decided by their result third placed South West Sharks after they were tied on points with North West Thunder.

The Irish and North West sides stormed to three wins from three in their opening matches, leaving them to face the other in the last game of the competition to decide the winner.

But when Ireland’s Nina Connery scored 50 seconds from time to secure an 11-11 draw, it meant that two teams finished level on seven points apiece.

And with an even head-to-head record, the winner was decided by their result against the South West where Ireland defeated them by just one goal more to see them named as Inter Regionals champions.

West Midlands Warriors finished in fourth with the East Angels completing the Division One standings.

‘We’re so proud’

Things were a little more simple in Division Two where the South East went undefeated to take home the crown.

They started out with victories against the North East Steelers (12-9), Scotland (14-6) and the East Midlands (15-3).

That left them in a final match shootout with the London Sharks for the title with both teams coming into the finale with a 100% record.

In a close contest, South East took control in the third quarter with three unanswered goals, including two from Lily Ross, gave them a well-earned 8-5 victory.

Speaking on their win, head coach Lauren Hand said: “We are thrilled that our u18 girls squad secured the division two win.

“The progress this team has made since they last competed two years ago has been outstanding and we’re so proud that our 2007 girls were able to finish with a win on their last outing representing the South East.”

The result meant London finished in second place with the North East Steelers third, Scotland fourth and East Midlands in fifth.

MVP awards

• Ireland: Laura Casserly
• North West Thunder – Lucy Blenkinship
• South West Sharks – Harriet Bates
• West Midland Warriors – Bella Ibbs
• East Angels – Christina English
• South East – Megan Ross
• London Sharks – Lily Evans
• North East Steelers – Ruby Taylor
• Scotland – Lucy McNair
• East Midlands – Sophie Leveridge

Tournament awards – sponsored by Wyvern swimwear

Division one

• MVP: Lucy Blenkinship (North West)
• Top goalkeeper: Zoe Gaffney O’Brien (Ireland)
• Top goalscorer: Bella Ibbs (West Midlands)

Division two

• MVP: Jaspreet Gill (London)
• Top goalkeeper: Sophie Leveridge (East Midlands)
• Top goalscorer: Lucy McNair (Scotland)