2006 Midland Water Polo Championships
04 Apr 2006 11:39

2006 Champions Solihull
Runners Up- Nottingham SC

Group 1
Solihull            3 points
Parago          2 points
Boldmere     1 point

Group 2
Nottingham SC   6 points
Walsall  4  points
Warley             2 points

White Hats		Blue Hats
Warley	6	Nottingham SC	10
Parogon	3	Boldmere	2
Walsall	7	Grantham	(4)*
Solihull	4	Parogon	3
Warley	4	Walsall	5
Nottingham SC	7	Grantham	(9)*
Solihulll	5	Boldmere	5
Warley	5	Grantham	(4)*
Nottingham SC	8	Walsall	6
Winner of Group 1 Solihull Penalties	8 7	Runner up of Group 2 Walsall Penalties	8 6
Runner up of Group 1 Parogon	5	Winner of Group 2 Nottingham SC	7
Solihull	12	Nottingham SC	4

*Grantham brought two unregistered players to the tournament and therefore opted to play, but forfeit their matches.

Nottingham SC finished a very creditable 2nd in The Combined East and Midland ASA Region water polo Championships losing to Solihull at Walsall Gals Baths Sunday 2nd April.

Of the 8 teams participating in the final, Nottingham were not considered to be one of the favourites, add this to the fact that they had the oldest (Derek Fraser 55) and youngest (Jonathon Lord 14) players in the tournament in their very small squad.

However they got off to a great start beating last years winners Warley (10-6) in the first game of the day in their qualifying league.  This was followed by a narrow loss to Kings Grantham (7-9), before beating Walsall (8-6) to win their group.  This pitched them against Paragon of Newcastle under-Lyme in the semi final, where they took a 6-0 lead however the potteries team put up a  huge fight back but the east midland team managed to hold on and won 7-5.

The Final immediately followed Nottingham's Semi-final, Solihull had played a game less due to a late drop out in their qualifying league, add this to Nottingham's depleted squad meant that the final was a game to far for the local side.  However it is the best position the club has ever finished in this championship and it sets them up nicely for the coming Midland League season..

Lee Copley finished the tournaments top scorer with 19 goals in 5 games, Roger Cawkwell third top scorer with 8 in 5 games, one note on the downside Nottingham were the top of the Major foul league too with 9 in the 5 games

The Full participating Squad, Derek Fraser, Dave Laws, Lee Copley, Roger Cawkwell, Paul Jackson, Simon Klima, Richard Godber Jonathon Lord and Coach Rob Steel.