THE City of Newport’s senior water polo team just missed out on a league and cup double after a late goal saw them pipped in the final of the Bristol & West League’s Handicap Cup.

Having recently secured the Division Two title, Newport went into the game quietly confident of upsetting their opponents, a physical outfit from Swindon who finished mid-table in Division One this season.

In keeping with the format of the competition, which awards a handicap to one of the two teams based on the previous results between them and their respective league positions, Newport were awarded a four goal head-start.

But with three key seniors missing and no fewer than seven under-16 players in the squad, Newport knew that they would need to match their opponents’ physicality if they were to make the most of their advantage.

The match started reasonably well for Newport and captain James Farror, who was making his 50th competitive appearance for the club, successfully converted two penalties, while Daniel Griffiths also added another goal from open play.

But it was Swindon who gained the upper hand in the opening period, outscoring Newport by four goals to three.

The second quarter saw Newport’s recent international debutant Hugh Spencer score before Swindon struck back.

The hugely experienced Chris Taylor – who has participated in three Commonwealth Games – then scored his first of the game for Newport, only to see Swindon respond with two goals themselves.

By half-time Newport’s lead had been cut to just two and Swindon seized control of the game in a poor third quarter for Newport to go 11-10 up.

The deficit would have been much bigger had it not been for the heroics of Newport’s young goalkeeper Joseph Gandee.

Newport threat in attack was then hit by Spencer’s exclusion from the game.

Swindon stretched their lead to 12-10, before being pegged back by two goals from Taylor with less than three minutes left to play.

Swindon then took the lead once again, only for Taylor to subsequently level the scores six seconds later.

But just when it seemed that a penalty shoot-out would be required to separate the two teams, Swindon snatched the winner

Despite their disappointment Newport still celebrated their most successful season since reforming in 2002 and the club’s first trophy in more than 30 years.

Newport dominated British water polo in the early 1980s, winning three consecutive British league titles between 1982 and 1984 and also the British cup in 1984 and 1985.

And, with 13 of the current squad under the age of 18, it’s clear that the sport has a very bright future in the city.