PORTOBELLO’s Joe Mathieson received the Most Valuable Player award as the Caledonia under-19 water polo team struck gold at the National Age Group Championships in Gloucester for the first time since 2018.
Caledonia under-17’s also claimed a podium place, finishing in the bronze medal position.
It was the older age group who had gone into the tournament the more highly fancied, though, after an impressive qualifying campaign.
Things didn’t initially go to plan, however. as they trailed City of Manchester 2-6 during the second period. That proved a wake up call as nine goals went unanswered with the Scots running out 18-11 winners.
The gold medal match pitched Caledonia against North London and again they had to come from behind, 5-6 at half time.
Once again Caledonia rallied to win 12-9.
After bowing out in the semi final against City of Manchester the under-17s defeated Sedgefield 17-11 in a win that evoked memories of how, as a 15-year-old team two years ago, they had also won bronze.
East represenatives were: under- 19 – Daniel Fielding and John Wilson (Dunfermline), Joe Mathieson and Struan Bailey (Portobello), Charlie Gray (Warrender).
under -17 – Michael Moodie, Alex Hurd, Dominic Moodie (all Portobello), John Wilson, Caleb Wilson, James Lees, Aaron Bayne (all Dunfermline), Murray Simpson, Charlie Gray, Samuel Irvine Arthur Matthews (all Warrender).
