Impressive Otter retain girls’ U15 title in Manchester

Otter completed the defence of their girls’ U15 ASA National Age Group Water Polo Championship title with an impressive display in Manchester.

Otter conceded just four goals across their five games, storming through their group with comprehensive victories over Cheltenham (9-0) and Rotherham (16-0), then defeated 2010 champions Tyldesley (9-2). A repeat of last year’s final saw Otter see off City of Liverpool in the semis (12-2).

A dominant display saw Otter storm to a 6-0 lead at half-time in the final vs Newton Abbot before adding another five goals in the second half. They also secured their third shutout of the day as they finished 11-0 winners, with Otter captain Erin Andrew finishing tournament top scorer with 14 goals.

“We have worked so hard for this and done loads of training so it feels really good,” said Andrew. “We worked really well as a team and I think we’ve bonded as the tournament has gone on. Before the final, we just talked about having fun and think about what we’d done in training.”

Manchester outfit Tyldesley secured the bronze medal with a 9-4 victory over local rivals City of Liverpool.

Otter's younger development team Otter Futura was also in action. The team gained valuable match experience in the group stage against some of the best teams in the country. Taking on finalists Newton Abbot (9-0), Semi finalists City of Liverpool (6-2) & beating City of Machester (5-0). The girls went down in the classification match vs Rotherham (8-1) before ending on a high with a (5-0) win vs Manchester City to finish 7th. 

Congratulations Dave & Gina!

Record breaking Otter swim stars Dave Warren and Gina Hobson became Mr and Mrs in truly unique style this October on a SwimQuest swimming wedding holiday in Formentera, just off Ibiza.

Gina, Dave & Otters, frineds & family members, headed over to Spain, to celebrate their marriage & take part in group sea swims. The wedding / holiday itinerary included six swim guides, four powerboats, one fishing boat, an underwater photo shoot, copious bottles of fizz, swimming games, wedding themed swim hats, beach bar welcome drinks, a sunset reception, fine dining with sea views, marine themed favours, and a sunrise wedding breakfast swim. It was "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share our favourite sport with our friends and family, combining it with our wedding.” (Gina's words). “The water around Formentera Island is so clear; it’s a breath-taking place. This was the perfect excuse to get everyone we know in the water,” (Dave's words). 

The morning before the wedding, guests completed a 4km swim along Playa des Illetes beach. The following day, guests swam from the hotel and up the coast to a headland, on a post wedding ‘recovery swim’ before taking part in the underwater wedding photo shoot in the afternoon.

By all accounts Dave & Gina looked ace, everyone had a ball, and we all wish Dave & Gina would get married every year. 

Congrats Dave & Gina, from everyone at Otter. We couldn't be happier for you. 

1st Thursday club drinks

Why not join your fellow Otters for a drink or two at Willow Walk after training on Thursday (October 6)? https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/london/the-willow-walk-victoria

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Otter kick off the BWPL season

The Otter ladies 1st team kicked off their BWPL season over the weekend in Gloucester with a 16-7 win against Caledonia.

Otter jumped out to a 5-1 lead and never looked back, taking the 2nd quarter 9-3. A quieter 3rd quarter had the score at 10-5 before a strong 4th saw out the game. 8 Different Otters scored in the game with three goals apiece for Danica Brazier and Isabelle Dean. 

Otters second match of the weekend was perhaps the most exciting game of the women's Division 1 weekend with a goal just 19 seconds from the end by Otters Claudia Ferrone clinching a 10-9 victory for Otter over Leeds Sharks.

Otter started strongly, leading 3-0, then 6-2, before a run of four goals by Leeds and two more from (Otter on loan to Leeds) Hannah Pritchett gave Leeds a 7-6 advantage. t didn't last long. Otter hit back to go 9-7 up in the last period, only for spirited Leeds to respond with goal and then another two and a half minutes from the end. In a frantic finale, both sides had a player excluded and both called time-outs - before Ferrone settled the issue at the death. 

Manchester were the only other team to hold a 100% record over the opening weekend. For full results & tables see the BWPL website. 

Susie Rodgers wins Gold in Rio

As many Otters will already know, our friend and former member, Susie Rodgers, won Paralympic gold in the S7 women's 50m butterfly in Rio. Susie also won bronze in the 50m free and 400m free in her category.

We congratulate Susie on her amazing achievements. Well done Susie!

Lutras perfect start

Otter Lutra are top of the Div 2 table after the first weekend of BWPL action. Otter Lutra made it three wins from three women's Division 2 matches at Ponds Forge today, beating  Tyldesley 12-7, Liverpool Liverbirds 10-7 & Manchester Comets 11-8. 

Keep up the good work Lutra!

For full results & tables see the BWPL website
 

Wins at Barnet Copthall Sprints Meet

A small Otter team of Wade, Kim, Yuri, Matt, Catherine & Lex competed at the Barnet Copthall Sprints meet on Sunday 4th September taking the opportunity to get some race practice in and swim some different events to get those decathlon points. 

Kim Liu (18-24) won the 50 Breaststroke, 100 Breastroke, and was 2nd in the 50 Freestyle & 100IM. Youri Schwartz (25-29) Won the 25 Meter Freestyle & 50 Backstroke. Was 2nd in the 100IM & finished 6th 50 Butterfly & 100 Freestyle. Wade Rimbach (30-34) won the 100 Butterfly, 100IM, 100 Breastroke & finished 3rd in the 100 Backstroke. Matt Wan (30-34) won the 50 Breaststroke, but finished 2nd behind Wade in the 100IM, 100 Breastroke & was also 2nd in the 50 Freestyle. Catherine Demont (25-29) won the 25 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke and was 2nd in the 50 Backstroke, 50 Breastroke & 100 Backstroke. Lex Higlett (30-34) won the 100 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke & 100IM, before false starting and getting DQ'd in the 50 Freestyle. Full results from the meet can be seen here. 

Big thanks to Coach Steve for his race advice & analysis throughout the meet & to Barnet Copthall for organizing another well run, on schedule Masters event. 

4 Otters named in the GB U/19 team

The GB U19 women's team to play in the European Junior Championships just been announced with a few familiar Otter faces making the grade. Otters Izzy Dean, Hannah Patchett, Lily Turner & Kathy Rogers have all been selected in the 13 player team with Kathy Rogers named as Vice Captain. 

The 17 team Championships will take place in the Netherlands from September 10-18 with GB facing Italy, Bulgaria & Slovakia in the group phase. The Other teams taking part in the competition are Russia, Hungary, France, Ukraine, Croatia, Spain, The Netherlands, Sebia, Romanina, Greece, Germany, Israel & Turkey.  

The full Great Britian team is: Kathy Rodgers (VC), Lily Turner, Isabelle Dean, Hannah Patchett,
Sophie Jackson (GK), Kate Read (GK), Robyn Greenslade, Katy Cutler, Beth Bolton, Rosie Huck (C), Annie Clapperton, Isobel Howe & Hannah Edwards Congratulations to all those selected, and good luck!