TYLDESLEY U18s water polo team have reached the final of the ASA National Club Junior Competition.

Coached by Mike Short, they have hit the big time for the first time in the club's history.

Three semis in the last three years made the side determined not to fail again. More so because their semi-final opponents, Hammersmith Penguin, knocked them out at this stage last season.

And, despite missing a penalty and having three goals disallowed, they won 7-5.

Tyldesley now meet Cheltenham in the final at Sheffield's Ponds Forge Pool on May 16.

Team: Gareth Davies, Michael Cowburn (4 goals), Jonathan Stafford, Philip Stout (2), Andrew Rigby (1), Matthew Cutt, Andrew Grime, Adam Summers, Alex Foster, Dominic Derbyshire and James Cutt.

The side continued their unbeaten record in the Northern Counties League, beating Stretford 13-9, giving a chance for some of the younger players to get a game. Goals from Michael Cowburn 4, Matthew Cutt 3, Jonathan Stafford 2, Andrew Rigby 2 and Philip Stout 2.

They then beat Bolton School, winning 13-3 after ending the first quarter 3-2 down.

Goals from Jonathan Stafford 4, Philip Stout 3, Michael Cowburn 3, Andrew Rigby 2 and Matthew Cutt.

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