The Welsh conquered Lyme Regis ONCE AGAIN!
With the tournament being halted on the Saturday due to Storm Antoni causing the sea to be unplayable, the whole competition schedule had to be packed into Sunday. The full duration of the matches were capped to ten minutes, ensuring the renewed tournament schedule could all fit.
The Daffodils, runners-up in the previous championships [under the name Welsh Warriors], flew the Welsh flag in the Women's tournament and went through the whole campaign unbeaten to be crowned 2023 CHAMPIONS in dramatic fashion!
Following a 3-0 triumph against Southampton Sirens and overcoming Swidon Dolphins with a 3-2 win, the Daffodils progressed to the semi-finals to face Girls Aloud (not to be confused with the pop group!). The teams couldn't be separated at full-time, which warranted an intense penalty shoot-out. The Daffodils triumphed and concluded the match with a score of 4-2, securing their place in a second consecutive final!
Their final opponents came in the combined form of Weston-super-Mare and Newton Abott. Another incredibly tight match ensued, and with score tied at the end of play, an intervention of penalties was required once more! The Daffodils showed nerves of steel once more to prevail as winners and take the 2023 Lyme Regis Sea Water Polo Championship title!
For the Men's section, the team from Wales were the Welsh Dragons - coming into the tournament as reigning champions, formerly known as Valley Dragons.
The Welsh Dragons stormed their way to the top of their group, following a 4-1 victory against UBMWPC, overcoming Frome with a score of 3-2, triumphing 6-1 versus Swindon Dolphins and brushing aside Taunton Deane with a 5-1 win.
This meant the Welsh Dragons would play Exeter from the opposite group in the final, who also came into the encounter unbeaten. Exeter proved to be an extremely strong opponent and went on to secure the win, with our Welsh Dragons earning runners-up in the Championships.
A massive well done to both teams - Wales came and conquered the seas of Lyme Regis once again!