The third weekend of the Junior conference saw the Wolves back at the now familiar Northampton School for Boys. Fielding a team of nine players without a recognised goalkeeper, due to a combination the talent games, injuries and family commitments. The neutrals didn't give them much chance in their clashes with final four rivals Penguin and Worthing.

Dušan deputised between the sticks for the first half and final quarter versus Penguin, having trained in goal the night before under the watchful eyes of 'Safe hands Sapsed' . Aksel set a captain's example by providing the last line of defense for Q3. This disruption to the normal line up saw a misfiring opening quarter and Penguin pounced taking a grip on proceedings at 6-2. Despite conceding again at the resumption of play, a second quarter hat trick from a Haribo fuelled Ed Carpenter and better coverage of Penguins counter attack and the Wolves swapped ends trailing 9-6.

Penguin with a full bench tested Watford's fitness and scored twice at the start of Q3 to take what many thought was an unassailable lead. Dušan fresh from his holiday in goal responded with a quick fire hat trick. Now, beginning to trouble their neighbourhood rivals as the Q3 hooter blew, it was game on at 13-11. Despite surviving a penalty at the resumption of the final quarter, further goals from Ed to end with a strictly SEVEN and some great defensive work from Shayan they were perhaps suffering from not having a full bench and the game began to drift away from them to close 16-12.

The evening game against Worthing highlighted what an amazing squad of players and parents we are blessed with. The team were joined by Rishi and Ilija, after their amazing mums forwent watching the live Strictly final and made a late afternoon dash up the M1. The match also provided the much anticipated sequel to the summer blockbuster Bailey 'safe hands' Sapsed, with 'The Return of the Legend'. The legend was in goal for Q1 and included the full repertoire of saves, running commentary and the trade mark 'no no no' finger wag. Try as he might Q1 still ended with Watford trailing 3-1.

Coach Paul's game plan of four different goakeepers in each quarter (Bailey, Sam, Aksel and Dušan) provided the headlines for the Telegraph who reported this as a first in British waterpolo. Sam had volunteered to take his turn in Q2 and showed his unique take on the goal keeping duties in addition to all the unseen hardwork he had provided in the outfield. Worthing well structured and efficient as always were looking to spoil the fun and Q3 closed with them 11-6.

The final quarter had it all, as the players stepped up and produced a surging comeback. The completion of a hat trick from Ed, saw them close in on at Worthing 13-11 with two and a half minutes remaining, only to see Worthing score soon after and lead by three, it's not over until it's over and with Bailey then Ilija finishing their own hat tricks and the score at 14-13 there was heartbreak as the hooter sounded to end the dream comeback in what would have been the perfect headline.

Watford Waterpolo

Northampton School for Boys

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