South West retain girls' U18 Inter Regional title on penalties

South West defended their title on penalties after a thrilling climax to the 2017 ASA Water Polo Girls’ U18 Inter Regional Championships in Blackpool.

Successful penalties from Millie Wordley, Katy Cutler, Robyn Greenslade and Heather Tomlinson saw the South West region prevail after their final against a North West Lightning ended 2-2.

South West had taken the lead in normal time through Wordley, before goals from Steph Whittaker and Isabel Larder handed the advantage to Lightning.

But Wordley was on hand again to score on a man-up and take the tie to penalties.

South West goalkeeper Abbi Smith also emerged with credit, working with her defence to keep the otherwise free-scoring North West attack at bay in normal time, before only letting Annie Clapperton’s effort past her in the shoot-out.

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  Abbi Smith & Milly Wordley

  South West players Abbi Smith and Milly Wordley with their awards for top goalkeeper and team MVP respectively from Great Britain Junior Head Coach Jim Caulfield.
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  Annie Clapperton & Molly Boniface-Ashton

  North West Lightning players Annie Clapperton and Molly Boniface-Ashton receiving awards for top goalscorer and team MVP respectively from Great Britain Junior Head Coach Jim Caulfield.
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  North West Lightning

  The North West Lightning team who won silver at the 2017 ASA Girls’ U18 Inter Regional Championships.
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  Cecily Turner & Thea Simpson

  Overall tournament MVP Cecily Turner (South East) and North West Thunder MVP Thea Simpson receive their awards from Great Britain Junior Head Coach Jim Caulfield.
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  Poppy Mayall & Sophie Moran

  East team MVP Poppy Mayall and Ireland team MVP Sophie Moran at the 2017 Girls’ U18 Inter Regional Championships.
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  Lauren Dundee & Faye Warren

  Scotland team MVP Lauren Dundee and Wales team MVP Faye Warren at the 2017 Girls’ U18 Inter Regional Championships.
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  Lydia Toth & Megan Scadding

  London team MVP Lydia Toth and North East team MVP Megan Scadding at the 2017 Girls’ U18 Inter Regional Championships.
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South West head coach Jason Wordley said: “The girls have been progressing their game and skills year on year. They’ve made a steady but dedicated improvement through the rankings.

“They were overjoyed to finish their final year together at the top of the tree.”

South West region representative James Baker added: “The victory further demonstrates the South West region’s development of the discipline. It cements the region as one of the top four performing regions or home nations.

“It’s a far cry from where we were 10 years ago when we rarely reached the semi final stages.

“Of the last four Inter-Regions, we’ve won the 2003 and 2000 female competitions. This demonstrates the qualify of female players in the region that have benefitted from the guidance and coaching of Spanish ex-international Meritxell Carrizo who has recently been confirmed as the ASA South West region women’s head coach.”

South East edge thriller to win bronze

Having failed to register a win in last year’s tournament, the South East region impressed to claim bronze.

After finishing second in Group B, they bounced back from a semi-final defeat by South West to defeat North West Thunder 5-4 in a tense bronze medal match.

Thunder showed plenty of fight to restore parity after trailing both 3-1 and 4-3 in the second period.

But a power play goal from tournament MVP Cecily Turner with just 10 seconds left on the clock sealed victory for the South East side.

Statistics and MVPs

Most Valuable Players (MVPs):

• Ireland – Sophie Moran
• Scotland – Lauren Dundee
• South West – Millie Wordley
• East – Poppy Mayall
• North West Thunder – Thea Simpson
• North East – Megan Scadding
• Wales – Faye Warren
• South East – Cecily Turner
• London – Lydia Toth
• North West Lightning – Molly Boniface-Ashton

Sponsor and Water Polo Market Awards:

• Overall MVP – Cecily Turner (South East)
• Top Goalscorer – Annie Clapperton (North West Lightning)
• Top Goalkeeper – Abbi Smith (South West)