ByAnonymous, Anonymous
WATER POLO
Maccabi Water Polo UK have been promoted from the Men's Winter League Division Two as champions.
Victory was confirmed in the final game of the season where they beat Blue Marlins 10-7, pipping West London Penguin to the title.
WLP, who had been relegated from the top tier the season before, were favourites for promotion and beat Maccabi in both encounters. The Maccabi home leg yielded a 11-9 loss in a nail-biting encounter but Maccabi's otherwise spotless record of wins proved to be just enough as Penguin threw away points in draws against Enfield, Ealing II and a no-show against Eastern Otter.
In a seven-team league, Maccabi and West London Penguin ran away from the rest of the competition. A combination of top goalkeeping from Ashley Blake and Elliott Gotkine helped Maccabi record the best defence in the league, with just 55 goals conceded throughout the season, compared to next-best placed Penguin's 63.
At the other end, a steady stream of break away goals from James Kattan, Gyorgy Szemere and other contributions have guaranteed Maccabi's place in Division One next season.
Maccabi player-manager Steven Behr, warned the team against complacency. He said: "Whilst promotion is clearly a fantastic achievement, we cannot relax. Our press, man-ups and fitness need considerable work as we are going to face stronger, more skilful and better drilled sides next season."
Maccabi Water Polo UK are on the lookout for fresh talent. For details, go to maccabiwaterpolo.co.uk.