THAT'S champion - Lancaster's all-conquering water polo team are aiming to go through an entire season unbeaten after clinching yet another National League title.

The local pool heroes clinched their seventh title - and their third on the trot - after wins over Hammersmith Penguins and arch rivals Bristol.

And now they aim to keep up their 100 per cent record when they travel to face Rotherham and Cheltenham this weekend. However, Lancaster must improve.

Against Bristol - the last side to go through a National League season unbeaten - City made a confident start as Neil Bowers scored the first goal, converting a shot after a Bristol player was excluded for fouling Burgess in the pit.

Andy Squires added a second barely 20 seconds later after a good defensive steal and the locals looked to be in complete control of the game until a loss of concentration in defence led to Bristol scoring twice.

With the battle even handed at half time both teams continued to fight it out in the second half. Although fitter than their opponents, Lancaster could not pull away.

Curwen scored the first goal of the third quarter, ending the poor run of man-up attacks by City. However, the good work was undone when sloppy defending allowed Bristol to level the match after a major foul.

This did act as a spur to the Lancaster players with a good pass from Rysz Detko giving Burgess the chance to score his second of the match. The local side then drew further ahead with McIlquham climbing high to lob the Bristol keeper. Just as Lancaster looked to capitalise Bristol scored twice within the final minute of the quarter.

Lancaster started the final quarter with renewed determination, two minutes into the final quarter Bowers won a penalty for being fouled when driving in on goal. Curwen confidently scored to put his side in the ascendancy.

Further strikes, from Squires and a third of the game for Curwen allowed Lancaster to pull away from the southerners, and though Bristol tried to fight back senior player Campbell completed the victory with a long-range shot.

Team: D. Bush (Gk), J. Lawlor, C. Burgess (6), J. McIlquham (2), R. Pinington (1), T. Curwen (5), S. Carpenter (1), A. Squires (3), N. Bowers (1), Z. Sly (Gk), D. Campbell (2), R. Detko