LANCASTER City Water Polo team continued their domination of the British water polo scene with a dramatic victory in the ASA cup final over arch rivals London Penguins - proving they are Britain's top team.

Lancaster travelled to Manchester's Commonwealth pool, with the hope of repeating last years feat of beating the Penguins in the final and came away with an 8-5 triumph.

It means that Lancaster have achieved the treble this year - they have already won the British Championship and the National League.

This was Lancaster's seventh cup win in nine years and it proved to be the most difficult.

"The score line was not a true reflection of the game, but is a brilliant success and fantastic achievement as we are now the top water polo team in the country," says president of the club Geoff Schineler.

"It is the third time we have won the treble and this is our seventh cup win since 1995.

"It is great and the whole team are so happy about it.

"The squad has gone from strength to strength. We have had a brilliant run since 1990 and we are getting better," he adds.

It was a tense and physical encounter with neither team able to dominate throughout the game.

The first quarter was very even but, despite many firing efforts, the first goal did not come until well into the period with a Bowers blast giving Lancaster the lead.

Campbell tucked away a penalty, but it was not long before the Penguins pulled back and made it 2-1 at the break.

In the second period Lancaster's attack struggled but the defence kept them above water with goalkeeper Bush pulling off some excellent saves. Burgess struck again for Lancaster but it was 3-2 at half time.

Both teams scored twice in the third period and it was 6-5 to Lancaster with just one minute left on the clock.

Then Tom Curwen, Lancaster's youngest star, clinched the match with two late goals to put the game beyond the Penguins' grasp.