Leeds City Senior Women kick-started their campaign in the inaugural two-day Northern Water Polo League tournament with crushing wins over Sedgefield and Sunderland - followed by sweet revenge for the 14-9 defeat they suffered at the hands of Sheffield just 72 hours earlier.   

The unbeaten run means the Leeds ladies return to Rotherham’s Maltby Leisure Centre for Day 2 on June 25 to face the tournament hosts, Warrington and competition favourites Liverpool.

Much of Leeds’ emphatic early success reflected some textbook defending against a lively Sedgefield strike force. After falling behind 1-0, Leeds steadily gained the upper hand and by half-time were 2-1 ahead thanks to crafty strikes by Jas Littler and the first of a hat-trick of goals by Lisa Marshall.

Sedgefield had little to offer during a second half of unrelenting pressure from Leeds that included another fine strike by Jas Littler, two more well-worked solo efforts by Lisa Marshall, an unstoppable shot by Minnie Gale and a well-earned penalty score for 16 year-old Ellie Sowerby.

It was always going to be a rough ride for Sunderland in match two, and the first goal in Lisa Marshall’s second hat-trick of the day came within five seconds of Hannah Patchett’s successful swim-off. The swift score set the tempo for a one-sided affair in which the Wearsiders were tenacious but never really in contention.

An inspired goal by Selene Chew was added to Lisa Marshall’s tally and nudged Leeds’ lead to 4-0 at half-time. Second half goals for Jas Littler (2), Shevonne Lowth (2), Georgina Dutton and Minnie Gale, were answered by just one Sunderland score. Leeds won the clash 10-1.

Sheffield came out with all guns blazing and caught Leeds napping in the third and final match of Day 1. Undaunted by the early deficit, Leeds rallied and some clever work by Ellie Wilson and Minnie Gale fired up the Lisa Marshall goal machine to level the scores.

Though exposed to Sheffield’s notoriously robust playing style, Leeds held their nerve and goals from Hannah Patchett and Leanne Lochin put Leeds 3-1 up within five minutes. A fine solo effort by Leanne Pochin and two excellent shots from Miriam Ridha had Leeds up by 6-4 at half-time.

Jas Littler got the second half off to a hectic start with a sequence of illusive solo manoeuvres that ended with a beguiling pass to Selene Chew; who found the top right corner of the Sheffield net.

Sheffield’s never-say-die seniors piled on the pressure, but were no match for the scoring skills of Leanne Pochin and Hannah Patchett. A spell of exceptional goal-keeping by Rachel Thompson restricted Sheffield’s last ditch efforts and handed Leeds a deserving 9-5 victory.