[O]n the 9th December Penrith Canoe Club played in the North West and Central Canoe Polo Regional 2nd Division. This was the 3rd round of 4 and prior to this meeting the season hadn’t quite got going for Penrith. Enduring disappointing results in both previous rounds.
However, that was all to change in this 3rd round. Taking arguably some of their best players, Penrith were cruising by the end and were, in honest opinion, one of the best teams there. Taking 3 wins from 4; scoring 20 goals and conceding only 6, keeping a clean sheet against one team.
The first match against Lancaster University was a 6-1 win with goals from Robin (3), Jack (2) and Katie.
The second match of the night was the most frustrating and should have been a clear cut win, but resulted in a 4-3 loss to Welsh Warriors with goals from Jack, Katie and Robin. Penrith conceded a long shot and a penalty so the results was not representative of how the game should have ended up but it’s the small mistakes that cost the most.
After this match Penrith really got into gear, being clinical, fast on the break and working together to link up some excellent play. The third game vs Liverpool Coburg was an 8-2 win, which is a far cry from the previous meeting where Penrith lost 2-0 in a very unconvincing game, with goals contributed from Robin (3), Jack (2), Katie (2) and Chris (1).
To end the night and a great tournament, Penrith came up with a 3-0 win and a clean sheet against Trentham B with Robin, Katie and Jack taking a share of the goals.
Overall, an excellent Regional Division 2 tournament and from this point on Penrith hope to keep the momentum and quality gameplay going and to carry it into their National League Division 3 tournament in January, with the high hopes of promotion to National Division 2.