Back row: Robert Leyland, Charlie Stokes, Eric Harrison (coach), Nick Fish, Thomas Southern
Front row: Aaron Atherton, Natasha Grundy, Josh Houghton

Results

Pool A:
Rochdale 2 – Tyldesley 3
Tyldesley 5 – Rochdale 0 (friendly)
(Radcliffe failed to attend)

Pool B:
Stretford 3 – Royton 6
Stretford 2 – Salford City 3
Royton 1 – Salford City 6:

3^rd place play-off:
Royton 3 – Rochdale 3

Final
Tyldesley 3 – Salford City 4

Rochdale v Tyldesley

By half time Tyldesley were two goals up with goals by Nick and Charlie.  In the 2^nd half Tyldesley were cruising to victory when a penalty was awarded against Charlie from which Rochdale scored.  A goal by Josh put Tyldesley back into a two goal lead but then Rochdale scored a fluke goal when a shot that was going harmlessly wide landed on the head of a Rochdale player and dropped into the net.  This led to a few anxious moments but Tyldesley held onto the lead.

Rochdale v Tyldesley (friendly)

The non-appearance of Radcliffe meant that Tyldesley were through to the final.  Whilst we waited for the Pool B matches to be played a friendly was played against Rochdale.  This time Tyldesley made sure of the victory and by half-time we were leading 3-0 with a goal by Thomas and 2 goals by Josh.  Josh’s second goal was a great solo effort, he won the ball on halfway from a Rochdale player swam up the pool and scored.  In the second half Robert added 2 goals to the scoreline.

Tyldesley v Salford City (Final)

Salford had literally one big asset, their goalkeeper who filled the mini-polo net.  So despite having as many shots on target as Salford and playing the better polo Tyldesley were losing 4-0 by half-time.  Tyldesley came out even more determined in the 2^nd half and Aaron finally found the keepers weak spot and scored.  He quickly added a second, a third shot by him was again on target and beat the keeper but hit the top of the pool wall and so did not cross the line (in normal goals the wall is in the back of the net).  At the other end of the pool some great defending, particularly by Nick, and goalkeeping by Thomas prevented Salford from scoring.  Aaron added a third goal and Salford were beginning to worry but were saved by the final whistle. 

A great team effort with everyone playing their part, only Natasha didn’t score but she was the provider for several of the goals and was unlucky not to score against the Salford keeper.