If you missed the write-up, head over to our match report first: Masters Tournament 2026: A Day to Remember has the full story of how the afternoon unfolded, the final, and the many thank-yous to everyone who helped make it happen.

All clubs and individuals are welcome to use these photos for their own social media - help yourselves.

A huge thank you once again to everyone who took part, cheered from the side and pitched in behind the scenes.

For the full schedule, team sheets and every match result, head to the Masters Tournament event page. Here’s to 2027!

Below is the complete album from the day. Click any photo to view it full size and scroll through the gallery.

Four teams lined up for the round-robin: Hucknall, Northern Alliance, South Derbyshire and Southwell/Leander, each playing the others before the top two met in the final.

How the afternoon unfolded

Hucknall got the day under way against Southwell/Leander and started in commanding form, running out 11-3 winners. Northern Alliance followed up with a 10-5 win over South Derbyshire to lay down their own marker.

The pick of the group games was a real heavyweight clash as Hucknall edged Northern Alliance 7-4 - a result that looked like it might decide top spot. South Derbyshire then dug out a narrow 5-4 win over Southwell/Leander to keep the table interesting.

Hucknall’s last group game was the tightest of the lot, a 6-6 draw with South Derbyshire that had the spectators on their feet, while Northern Alliance closed out the round-robin with a 6-3 win over Southwell/Leander to book their place in the final.

That left the standings looking like this:

The final

It set up a mouth-watering rematch: Hucknall v Northern Alliance for the title, with the home side having won the group meeting 7-4. Northern Alliance, though, had other ideas. In a tense, end-to-end final they got their revenge, holding on for a 4-3 win to be crowned our first-ever Masters champions. Hucknall can be hugely proud of a runners-up finish on a day they helped make happen.

In fairness, with everyone the wrong side of 40, the legs were willing - even if a few of them were quietly hoping the final might be settled on penalties.

Worthy winners - Northern Alliance with the salver and their gold medals.

A massive well done to Northern Alliance, and to our own Hucknall side who pushed them all the way.

Our Hucknall masters squad - runners-up and a credit to the club all day.

Our junior helpers

A special mention to the juniors from our own club who gave up their Saturday to help the day run smoothly - fetching balls, helping at the desk and lending a hand wherever it was needed. We couldn’t have done it without them.

Thank you

An event like this only happens because so many people pull together. Huge thanks to our referees Tim Dunsbee, Sam Leveridge, Tom Wall, Joe Leveridge and Kiyoko Naish, to our table officials Rachel Leveridge, Kirsten Richards, Jasper Richards, Glyn Horsfield, Tracey Jackson, Archie Jackson and Tony West, to Fran on announcing, Anna on refreshments, and to Tony for overseeing the whole operation.

A massive thank you to Catershield for sponsoring the tournament, covering the cost of the pool for the day and presenting the trophy, and to Nottinghamshire ASA for their generous support with match balls, registration fees and the engraved trophy and medals. Thanks too to every local business who donated raffle prizes - the raffle did a roaring trade.

And of course, thank you to all four teams and everyone who came along to cheer them on. The afternoon then rolled on into our Summer Social at Butler’s Hill School, where players, families and friends carried on the celebrations long into the evening.

And to anyone we’ve missed - you know who you are, and we’re grateful for everything you did to make the day such a success. Thank you.

Our club photographer captured plenty more on the day, and the full set is now online - browse the complete Masters Tournament 2026 photo album.

For the full schedule, team sheets and every match result, head to the Masters Tournament event page.

Here’s to the next one - see you in 2027! In the meantime, see what’s coming up on the upcoming events page.

The cup handicap had handed Leander the slightly bigger head start - +8 to Hucknall’s +7 - but against a home side in this kind of form it was never going to be enough.

The opening period was the only spell where Leander could live with their hosts, the two sides trading blows to finish level at 2-2. After that it was one-way traffic. Hucknall blew the game open in the second, rattling in six goals to two - Endy with a hat-trick in the period alone and Swainson chipping in - to lead 8-4 at the interval.

The second half was more of the same controlled, clinical stuff. The home side took the third 5-3 and the fourth 5-3, stretching the actual-goals margin to 18-10 by the final buzzer with the scoring shared right across the squad.

It was a tidy defensive shift that underpinned it all. Reuben Wall was in commanding form in goal, holding Leander to single figures in three of the four periods and never letting the visitors string together the kind of run that might have made the handicap interesting.

Swainson and Endy led the way with four apiece, with Ballaam and Dallow each chipping in three, and Stapleton and West adding two each - six different scorers and not a weak link in the side.

Mens head coach Tom Wall handed his man of the match award to Tom Ballaam for a thoroughly well-rounded performance, the all-action display backed up by the numbers: 3 goals, 1 block, 3 steals and 2 assists - a contribution felt at both ends of the pool.

Win the water, win the handicap - a complete team performance to close out a 25-18 Handicap Cup victory. Well played, lads, and many thanks to both referees.

See what’s coming up next on the upcoming events page.

The competition

Four teams will battle it out across the afternoon: Hucknall, Northern Alliance, South Derbyshire and Southwell/Leander. It’s a round-robin format - running clock, two periods of eight minutes - with the leading sides meeting in the final at 3:50pm and presentations to follow. First in the water are Hucknall, who open against Southwell/Leander at 1:10pm.

You can see the full schedule and every team sheet on the event page.

What it’s all about

This tournament has been set up to do two things: to reengage former players and welcome back those who’ve stepped away over the years, and to recognise the many people who keep the sport going, often in voluntary or developmental roles. Water polo really is a sport for all ages and abilities.

It’s been a genuine pleasure to see so many familiar names on the team lists. The line-ups bring together a remarkable mix - ex-internationals, Olympians, referees, local league players, and even one individual known for swimming oceans for leisure.

Our officials and volunteers

An event like this only happens thanks to a small army of helpers. On the whistle we’re delighted to have Tim Dunsbee, Sam Leveridge and Tom Wall refereeing - and yes, a couple of our very own coaches are picking up the whistle for the day.

Huge thanks also to our table officials - Rachel Leveridge, Kirsten Richards, Jasper Richards, Glyn Horsfield, Tracey Jackson, Archie Jackson and Tony West - to Fran on announcing, Anna on refreshments, Vic for the use of the school facilities, and to Tony for overseeing preparations and keeping everything on track.

Our sponsors and supporters

A massive thank you to Catershield for sponsoring the tournament, covering the cost of the pool for the day and presenting the trophy. Read more about the sponsorship.

We’re also grateful to Nottinghamshire ASA for their generous support - providing new tournament match balls, supporting Swim England registration fees for returning players, and funding the engraved trophy and medals.

The raffle

There’ll be a raffle on the day with a great range of prizes, and all proceeds go towards helping the club run events like this one. Please bring cash. A big thank you to the local businesses who have donated prizes: Inspired Studio, Tesco Trent Bridge, Fruit Corner, Dice & Balls, Tropic Skincare, The Pit Newstead and Arc Cinema Hucknall.

Summer Social

Once the polo wraps up, the day rolls on into our Club Summer Social at Butler’s Hill School - and the whole club is invited, whether you played or not. Everyone playing in the tournament gets a free ticket included in their entry, and additional tickets for friends and family can be bought for £5 from the raffle desk on the day.

More from the club

While you’re here, take a look at our Aquaball sessions - our fun, splashy introduction to water polo for younger players.

And keep an eye out for our Development Days, coming soon: workshops by position (centre forwards, goalkeepers and drivers) and across the main phases of play, led by experienced coaches and international players, and suitable for players, coaches and parents alike. Provisional dates are 5 September 2026, 12 December 2026 and 20 March 2027. If you’re interested, get in touch.

For everything you need on the day - schedule, team sheets, parking, changing and more - head to the Masters Tournament event page.

See you on the 13th!

On paper it was a tough ask. Under the cup’s handicap the hosts were handed a five-goal head start, beginning the contest 12 goals to Hucknall’s 7 before a ball was thrown. That meant Hucknall had to win well in the pool to make up the difference - and they did exactly that, taking the match itself 17-11 and turning the head start on its head.

Hucknall settled quickly and traded goals in the opening quarter, Swainson with a brace and Burbanks on the mark, but a level 3-3 period left Grantham’s cushion untouched. The second was where the visitors really got going: Eccles rattled in a hat-trick and Burbanks added two more to take the quarter 5-3 and start eating into the hosts’ lead.

The third stayed tight, Endy finding the net twice with Brodie-Kalay and Eccles adding one apiece to win the period 4-3 - but with the head start still in the bank, Grantham went into the final quarter a couple of goals to the good.

That set up a grandstand finish. Hucknall came out for the fourth needing goals and got them, winning the period 5-2 - Eccles adding two more, Ballaam chipping in a brace and Endy rounding things off - to overhaul the cushion at the last and win the contest.

It was at the back, though, that the contest was really won. Reuben Wall was a steady presence in goal, and the numbers tell the story: Hucknall shipped three in each of the opening three periods but clamped down when it mattered most, conceding just twice in the final quarter to make the 5-2 swing possible. Grantham leaned heavily on Scarborough for their goals, too - he claimed six of the hosts’ eleven, leaving the rest of the home side just five between them as the Hucknall back line largely smothered the supporting threats.

Eccles was the standout, top-scoring with six on the night, with Endy and Burbanks adding three apiece, Swainson and Ballaam two each, and Brodie-Kalay grabbing one. For Grantham, Scarborough led the home effort with six.

A real test of character to chase down a handicap on the road and find the win in the closing minutes - cracking result, lads. Many thanks to both referees.

See what’s coming up next on the upcoming events page.

Bingham started fast, going 1-0 up through Leveridge before Valentino quickly drew the home side level. Davis then made it 1-2 to put Bingham back in front at the end of a tight first period.

The second was an end-to-end affair. Valentino struck again to make it 2-2, but Bingham responded with three quick goals through Dower, Davis and Newton to take a 2-5 lead. Hucknall fought back hard through Swainson, Wilkes and Eccles - but two more from Dower and Davis left Bingham 5-7 ahead at half-time.

Hucknall came out swinging in the third. Valentino rattled in a hat-trick in the period alone, with Wilkes and Swainson chipping in either side, as the home side won the third 5-1 and flipped the score to lead 10-8 going into the final period.

Bingham refused to lie down. Davis added a hat-trick of his own in the fourth, and Dower made it 12-12 with just over a minute left on the clock. With the game in the balance, Eccles found the winner with 29 seconds remaining - 13-12, and the lads held on for the points.

Mens head coach Tom Wall said:

Big performance last night from all the team but standout performances from Cameron Dallow, Peppe Valentino and GK, Reuben Wall ensured Hucknall remained top of the Notts Waterpolo league.

Valentino finished as Hucknall’s top scorer with six goals, with Swainson, Wilkes and Eccles each adding two and Dallow chipping in with one. Wall in goal kept Hucknall in the game when it mattered most, and Dallow’s defensive work was a real difference-maker at the other end.

For Bingham, Davis led the line with six.

See what’s coming up next on the upcoming events page.

Aquaball & Junior Head Coach Sarah Dunsbee had this to say:

Tonight some of the Hucknall minis travelled to Rotherham for a great evening of matches. Despite having quite a few members missing, the team battled hard throughout and showed some amazing teamwork in both deep and shallow water, along with some really good skills on display.

The evening finished with the older juniors joining in on the mats in the pool, where lots of fun was had by all. Well done everyone for the effort, teamwork and determination shown all evening!

Honestly, the best bit is the smiles. Trips like this aren’t just about water polo - they’re about kids making friends, feeling part of something bigger than a weekly session, and finding the confidence that comes from playing in front of a different crowd and away from home comforts. The pool talk, the laughs on the way home, the proud parents and carers on the side - that’s the stuff that sticks.

Well done to all the players, and a huge thank you to Rotherham for hosting.

See what’s coming up next on the upcoming events page.

The tournament runs 13:00 – 16:30 at Hucknall Leisure Centre - a friendly afternoon of masters-level water polo, with the winning team earning a free drink at the bar to celebrate.

The Summer Social then rolls on from 16:30 – 21:30 at Butler’s Hill School (NG15 6AJ). The whole club is invited, whether you played in the tournament or not - families and friends are welcome. There’ll be a BBQ on the go, a raffle, drinks available on the night, and plenty of time to catch up and enjoy the company. Speak to Tom & Tony if you’d like tickets.

A big thank you also to all the local businesses who have generously donated raffle prizes - your support means a lot to the club.

A huge thank you again to Catershield for sponsoring the tournament and covering the cost of the pool for the day. Read more about the sponsorship.

For full details, maps and venue info, head over to the dedicated event page: hucknallwaterpoloclub.co.uk/masters2026.

See you on the 13th!

Hucknall went into the game with a 7-goal head start, and pressed home the advantage in the first period - Swainson and Eccles both finding the back of the net to make it 1-9 by the buzzer.

Southwell came out fired up in the second and refused to let the game slip. Captain Joyce led the home effort, finishing with four goals on the night, and the hosts edged Hucknall in actual goals across the remaining three periods. Ballaam, Endy and Wilkes responded in turn for the visitors, with Swainson grabbing his second late in the fourth.

The 7-goal cushion proved decisive in the end: even with Southwell’s spirited fightback, Hucknall closed out a 13-8 Handicap Cup win.

Five different Hucknall scorers shared the goals - Swainson with two, and Eccles, Ballaam, Endy and Wilkes adding one apiece.

A grinding defensive performance under sustained pressure - well played, lads. Up next: see the upcoming events page for what’s coming.

A huge thank you to Catershield for sponsoring our upcoming Masters (40+) Tournament on June 13th. Their generous support is covering the cost of the pool for the day, making the whole tournament possible.

Catershield are a local Nottinghamshire company who have been providing expert care for hot water boilers and water coolers for over 40 years, with an impressive 99% first-time fix rate. They specialise in keeping commercial appliances running smoothly - prompt diagnosis, routine maintenance, expert consultations and emergency repairs - and partner with major manufacturers including Instanta, Zip and Calomax. They also employ our 1st team goalkeeper Reuben - backing their people in and out of the pool.

Check them out at catershield.com.

Thanks again from everyone at Hucknall Water Polo Club.