Bolton School under 18s water polo team has been commended by headmaster Philip Britton, who awarded them their national cup in a full assembly.

It is the 13th consecutive national English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA) water polo title that Bolton School has won. The School has dominated on the national stage in all three age groups (under 13s, under 15s and under 18s) in every season since 2013-14.

The original national finals, due to be held on 3 March, were postponed due to the “Beast from the East” and rearranged for 21 March at Northampton. Six teams competed and Bolton School found itself up against Haberdashers’ Askes in the first round, who they overcame 7-2. 

In the quarter-final they beat Trinity 4-2 and comprehensively overcame KES Birmingham, 8-0, in the semi-final. This set up a re-match with Trinity in the Final, who they saw off by 5 goals to 2 to secure the School’s ongoing run of winning national titles at all age levels.

Captain and Junior International, Harrison Barker-Smith, was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Thomas Yates was top goal scorer, Jos Winstanley collected his seventh winners medal and Matthew Schaffel was goalkeeper of the tournament.