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Waterpolo: Youngsters Come Up Trumps To Win Trophy
A SQUAD of Lancaster's water polo players travelled to Blackpool recently to compete in their annual charitable tournament, this year raising funds for St Trinity's Hospice.
The tournament consisted of two leagues with the top two teams then meeting in the final.
The squad was a very mixed bag, consisting of five 15-year-olds: Sam Smith, Scott Sharpe, Ben Walker, James Alker and keeper Kamil Pluczinski, three veterans and two players from a more 'normal' age group, Decland Ellwood and Michael Brown.
Another unusual feature of Lancaster's squad was the involvement of three members from the same family.
Sam Smith has appeared with his dad several times in Lancaster's North Lancs League side but on this occasion the pair were joined by Stephen's older brother Mark, who was able to make a rare a appearance for the side and take over the squad's most elderly statesman title usually held by Rysz Detko, who was also in the squad.
After reaching the final against a National League squad from Newcastle, which looked more than capable of winning the tournament, the whole squad performed superbly and with great spirit, unfortunately conceding a goal in the last 15 seconds to draw 3-3 after going a goal ahead courtesy of Ellwood early in the first half of extra time.
At the close, having run out of pool time and perhaps rather fittingly with the tournament being a friendly, both teams agreed to share the trophy, and will no doubt meet again next year to continue the challenge.
Particular credit must go to Sharpe, Walker, Alker and Pluczinski who surprised everyone with their control and ability in the final, performing above their years, not looking out of place in the water and blending in well with their senior colleagues.
Fleetwood 2
Lancaster 2
WITH some degree of apprehension, Lancaster kicked off the tournament with a stuttering start, the game finally ending in a 2-2 draw with Fleetwood.
Lancaster wasted several man-up chances, generally created by Ellwood's hard work in the centre forward position.
Ellwood, with Brown and Sam Smith, who were last year the younger element of the squad, this year helped to provide the backbone of the team.
First Ellwood then Brown scored to give Lancaster a reasonable 2-0 lead at half-time though the lead could have been doubled had Sam Smith and Brown converted a couple of other one-on-one chances, although the Fleetwood keeper should be given some credit for his saves.
The second half proved to be rather scrappy, certainly from Lancaster's perspective. Poor ball control, awareness and passing up front restricted Lancaster's chances and despite a couple of important saves from Pluczinski in goal, Fleetwood eventually levelled the scores.
A last minute effort came from a burst of energy from Mark Smith but the shot hit the post.
Lancaster 5
Southport 2
IN their second game Lancaster faced a slightly less experienced Southport side and as a result ran out as comfortable winners.
Ellwood and Brown led the attack with both players getting their names on the score sheet along with Steve Smith, Detko and youngster Scott Sharpe.
Southport did pull a couple of goals back during the game but never looked likely to undermine Lancaster's dominance.
Once again Walker, Alker and Sharpe worked well in mid-bath and defence, ably supported by the two Smith brothers.
Pluczinski looked solid in goal and his ball distribution was accurate and timely.
Fleetwood 2
Lancaster 6
THIS was a must win game for both sides as both had comfortable wins under their belts against Southport.
Lancaster started in a far more determined mood and improved control of play up front allowed them to fashion a 3–0 half-time lead.
Ellwood again proved a thorn in the opposition's side but this time, rather than having men excluded, he was able to turn under pressure and net two of Lancaster's goals.
Meanwhile defensively Steve Smith and Detko, supplemented with support from Mark, kept a close eye on Fleetwood's danger men to ensure any threats on Pluczinski's goal were purely speculative.
The shots that did arrive were dealt with calmly by the young keeper and his accurate ball distribution helped maintain pressure on Fleetwood's back line.
Fleetwood pulled an early goal back in the second half but Ellwood settled any nerves with his third of the game.
Sharpe, Walker and Alker's fitness took its toll on the opposition and Sam Smith benefited a timely pass from Walker to score. With time running out Fleetwood grabbed a consolation effort.
Lancaster 5
Southport 0
LANCASTER'S final group game was a one-sided affair with the Merseyside players not being able to match Lancaster's fitness.
The opposition were restricted to just a couple of speculative shots thanks to Mark Smith, despite being out of the game for so long, comfortably marshalling Southport's main attacking player.
Lancaster's goals came from Ellwood, Brown (2), Detko and Sam Smith.
Final
Lancaster 3
Newcastle 3
NEWCASTLE entered the final as favourites by virtue of some impressive and comprehensive wins in their group games, including a 9-0 drubbing of Radcliffe and, by the size and experience of the players they had brought with them.
Unsurprisingly, although the Lancaster players toiled away, Newcastle grabbed the lead with a shot that appeared to hit the joint between crossbar and post but a goal was given.
Before half-time this was extended to two goals and things looked ominous as Lancaster struggled to put much threat on the Newcastle goal.
But these Lancaster players proved themselves no different to players from other Lancaster sides, ie: when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
The players battled away and increased the tempo of the game right from the start of the second half.
An early goal from Brown gave Lancaster new heart. Gradually Newcastle appeared to be tiring and it was no surprise when Ellwood grabbed the equaliser.
Both sides had chances to win but Pluczinski was able to keep out a Newcastle effort in the last minute.
On to two, three-minute halves of extra time and Ellwood scored for Lancaster, who were now looking the more dominant side.
Detko also found the back of the net, but his effort was disallowed for an unclear reason.
Lancaster looked to seal the game in the last minute but their keeper made a fine save.
From the resulting throw out one of the Newcastle players, who had struggled to get back in defence, found himself free in front of Lancaster's goal and he levelled the scores.
Lancaster: K Pluczinski, M Smith, Steve Smith, Sam Smith, M Brown, R Detko, S Sharpe, B Walker, J Alker, D Ellwood.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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