Once again the U18s Junior Water Polo Team completed a record breaking year.  In February two players Paul and Michael Cowburn represented England in the Home International at Sheffield. 

After the GB trials four players Paul Cowburn, Michael Cowburn, Philip Stout and Jonathan Stafford were selected for Great Britain.  In May three of the youngsters Phil, Mike and Jonathan flew out to Malta to play in the Qualifying tournament for the European Games.  The players gained valuable experience on the International scene playing teams from Germany, Israel and Malta.  Unfortunately on this occasion GB failed to qualify.

In July the three players were joined by Paul when they flew out to Portugal to play in a European Tournament at Loule.  Competing against France, Sweden, Andalusia, Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland.  The valuable experience gained by the lads in Malta paid off, after four hard fought games the team were triumphant and won the tournament.  Mike captained the team and received the trophy for Great Britain. (See photo above).

On the domestic scene Tyldesley won the Northern Counties Junior Men competition for the second year running.  In the ASA Junior men competition Tyldesley again won the area phase beating Rotherham, Nottingham and a strong Kings School team only to loose to Hammersmith Penguins in the semi finals.

The Lancashire U18s trials saw a record eight players selected and Lancashire beat Gloucester 7-6 in the final of the Inter-counties competition.

The Manchester and District team containing the same eight players won the Northern Counties Inter-district trophy at Varley Street.  From this tournament seven Tyldesley players were selected for the U19’s Northern Counties squad for 1998.