Otter Ladies take on the best in Europe

This December Otter took on some of Europe’s best teams in Group D of the LEN Euro League in Padova, Italy. The team contained a mix of young strong players as well several more experienced players to take on previous Italian, French and Spanish champions.

Otter kicked off their campaign by scoring 3 goals in a 23-3 defeat to host team Padova with goals coming from Kathy Rogers (2) and Emma Hamilton-Foster (1). Otter had a strong game against Lille securing the first goal of the game in the first minute and Otter were down by 1 goal at the end of the first quarter. Lille hit back hard in the second quarter which prompted a strong second half form Otter but left the final score as 16-8 to Lille; With goals From Izzy Dean (1), Brooke Tafazolli (1), Mhairi Nurthen (1), Rogers (3) And Hamilton-Foster (2). Otter finished off their group stage matches against Spanish club Mataró who are the reigning LEN Trophy winners. Again, Otter had a great start to the game with Mataró leading 3-2 after the first quarter with Otter scoring the first goal; however, the game resulted in Otter’s 18-6 defeat to Mataró, with goals from Peggy Etiebet (1), Dean (1), Hamilton-Foster (2) and Rogers (2).

To play against the best teams in Europe as well as practicing new and developing tactics is an experience that will be used back in the British Water Polo League which continues with the start of the Super 5’s and Championship 1 in January. 

Once again a huge shout out to the wonderful team at Physio in the City whose support makes playing in Europe possible.

Lutra top Division 2

Congrats to dream team Otter Lutra who have finished Phase 1 of the BWPL at the top of the Division 1 Table. Lutra were undefeated in the competition with 7 wins in as many games. Tyldesley (12-7 Win), Liverpool Liver Birds (10-7 Win), Manchester Comets (11-8 Win), Welsh Wanderers (13-8 Win), Penguin Emperors (8-7 Win), Devonport (28-6 Win) & Mid Sussex Marlins (14 - 11 Win).

The team will look to continue their good form in Phase 2 - Championship 1 the new year. 

Otter qualify for Super 5s

Otter's 12-9 defeat of Sheffield this morning in Watford sees Otter move up to second on the table behind Liverpool and guarantees the teams place in the Super 5s. Coventry, Liverpool, Manchester and Otter have now all qualified for the top division of the next phase. The fifth spot could be between Leeds Sharks and Sheffield Sharks, who meet during the final weekend of the programme at Liverpool next month. Otter's 12-9 defeat of Sheffield included four goals by Katherine Rogers and three from Emma Hamilton-Foster.  

SESSION 8 - DAVE & NICO WIN AGAIN

Dave Warren closed out the 2016 short course championship with his third British Record of the meet, this time in the 100IM. Nico was crowned national champ again, this time in the 800 free, Hayley added two bronze medals to her impressive haul and Jane picked up a bronze in the 100IM. 

Congratulations to everyone who swam. Massive thanks to coaches, Steve & Aeron, captains Olivia & Pip, Tony and everyone else who made the weekend such a fun, successful meet. 

100 IM
1st David Warren 45-49    (1:00.74 GBR)
3rd Hayley Davis 30-34 (1:10.50)
3rd Jane McMenemy 45-49 (1:15.53)
5th Emma Shkurka    30-34 (1:13.05)
5th Gina Hobson 35- 39 (1:12.45)
6th Elizabeth Shaw    50-54 (1:25.23)
7th Martha Dean 50-54 (1:26.38)    
7th Craig Gillespie 25-29     (1:01.93)
7th Josh Sambrook-Smith 30-    34 (1:03.35)
8th Emma Cartwright 40-44 (1:27.65)
9th Wai Kwong Wan 30-34 (1:04.46)    
10th Catherine Hasnain    35-39 (1:14.95)
12th Aeron Brown 18-24 (1:14.54)
12th Dontony Gill-Nasadi 18-24 (1:10.05)    
15th Fraser Peh 25-29 (1:04.02)    
17th Graham Webster 25-29 (1:07.16)

800 free
1st Nicolas Barber    30-34 (9:06.00)
3rd Hayley Davis 30-34 (9:54.49)        
5th Jane McMenemy 45-49 (10:41.02)
6th Cristina Bertucci 18-24 (10:23.92)
7th Abigail Hucker 18- 24 (10:29.70)    

SESSION 7 - ANOTHER GB RECORD FOR MR WARREN

The team picked up where they left off on the final morning of the 2016 Short Course Championships. Dave Warren picked up his 2nd GB record of the weekend this morning, winning the 200 Breast. Dave clocked 2.29.04 setting a new British Record in the 45-49 age group. 
Hayley & Craig also took home gold in the 200 Breastroke, & Roger picked up yet another gold, this time in the 100 Fly.

200 Breast
1st David Warren 45-49 (2:29.04) GBR
1st Craig Gillespie 25- 29 (2:27.09)
1st Hayley Davis 30-34 (2:51.97)
2nd Wade Rimbach     30-34 (2:32.01)
4th Kim Liu 18-24 (2:30.96)
5th Roger Sharpley    65-69 (3:45.83)
6th Elizabeth Shaw    50-54 (3:18.66)
7th Wai Kwong Wan 30-34 (2:42.18)    
8th Martha Dean 50-54 (3:20.21)

100 Fly
1st Roger Lloyd-Mostyn 75-79 (1:36.47)
2nd Michelle Senecal 35-39 (1:11.82)
5th Wade Rimbach    30-34 (1:01.28)
6th Catherine Demont 25-29 (1:10.00)
6th Fedor Gorokhovik 25-29 (59.43)
7th Alexandre Thibault 30-34 (1:03.61)
10th Abigail Hucker    18-29 (1:13.64)
10th Fraser Peh 25-29 (1:00.71)         
11th Craig Gillespie    25-29 (1:01.43)
12th Josh Sambrook-Smith 30-34 (1:05.17)
14th Nicolas Barber    30-34 (1:06.73)
18th Alexander Fraser 18-24 (1:02.52)

50 Back
2nd David Warren 45-49    (29.20)
3th Anthony Ray 70-74 (53.14)
5th Emma Cartwright 40-44 (38.41)
6th Gina Hobson 35-39 (33.47)    
6th Graham Webster 25-29 (30.42)     
8th Catherine Hasnain 35-39 (33.52)    
9th Nicolas Barber 30-34 (30.11)
21th Alexander Fraser 18-24 (31.25)

Womens Open 400m Freestyle Team
2. Otter 120+ 4:05.72 (Catherine Demont 1.01.28, Emma Shkurka 1.02.15, Hayley Davis 1.01.83, Gina Hobson 1.00.46)
2. Otter 200+ 5:15.19 (Martha Dean, Jane McMenemy, Elizabeth Shaw, Lesley Davies)

Mens Open 400m Freestyle Team
3. Otter 120+ 3:45.31 (Nicolas Barber 55.19, Josh Sambrook-Smith 54.98, Wai Kwong Wan 58.13,  Wade Rimbach     57.01)
6. Otter 072+ 3:52.30 (Alexander Fraser     58.33,  Kim Liu 59.62, Dontony Gill-Nasadi 56.94, Graham Webster 57.41)

Otter bounce back with scoring spree in Watford

Otter dropped a point in the first of their two women's Division 1 games vs Coventry at Watford today.  The Midlanders led 3-2 after two periods, but there was no more scoring until the game really came to life in the last period. Goals by 17-year-old Otter Danica Brazier (2) and Claudia Ferrone put Otter 5-3 up before Coventry levelled it at 5-5 with goals a couple of minutes from the end by Sally Rangecroft and Fran Clayton.

Not to be deterred Otter bounced back recording a 23-2 win over Hucknall in their second game of the day. The team held Hucknall scoreless for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th period. Nine different Otters scored in the encounter. Lily & Mhairi were the teams top scorers with 4 goals apiece. Kathy & Fernanda recorded hatricks and Gari, Brooke, Peggy & Emma all scored twice. Claudia rounded out the scoring, adding to another goal to her tally.  

The team were back in action Sunday morning 10:15am knocking off 6th ranked Sheffield Sharks 12-9.