WHITGIFTIAN men's water polo team found the competition tough as they took their place in the Division Four play-offs.
The men's water polo team, who re-entered the national British water polo league this year after an absence of 17 years, earned their place in the play-offs by being runners-up in Division Five with a squad mixture of youth and experience.
Their first match was against promotion favourites Grantham and it was an even contest until the final quarter, with Grantham winning 9-5 despite strong defensive performances by Rob Fryer, Dan Redrupp and Lagzio Burdosz, and some fine saves by Luke Penfold.
Goals from Whitgiftians' Nick Shute, Dan Bedford (2) and the impressive 14-year-old team junior Matt Helps (2) were not enough to claim the victory Whitgiftians needed to keep their promotion hopes alive.
In the final match against Sheffield, captain Stu Harwood marshalled his men well ensuring Whitgift were the more creative team with playmaker Ian Mcleod getting five goals along with Bedford (3), Burdosz (2) and Helps (1).
However, Sheffield's determination, again in the final quarter, meant they were 16-11 winners.
Afterwards, captain Stu Harwood said: "We worked well as a team in places and kept a tight defence for three quarters in both games. If we can take these positives and be more consistent then I think we have the basis to get promotion next season."
