Nineteen games were contested by seven teams over two exhausting days – and in the end a penalty goal enabled Northern Water Polo League tournament favourites Liverpool to snatch gold ahead of our own valiant Leeds City Senior Women.

Liverpool always promised to be a formidable opponent, and drew first blood with their opening attack despite some robust defence by Emily Sutcliffe and Georgina Dutton; both of whom shone throughout the day.

Despite a swift and determined response from Leanne Pochin following a crafty pass at the end of one of several startling solo efforts by Jas Littler, Liverpool had stretched their lead to 4-1 before Lisa Marshall pulled one back on the stroke of half-time.

The early Liverpool penalty shortly after the re-start did nothing to dampen the Leeds ladies’ spirits, and they rallied with a second strike for Lisa Marshall and a well-worked goal from Selene Chew; who smartly seized advantage of Liverpool’s loss of their key defender following an unnecessary midfield foul on Lauren Richardson. Liverpool defended well during the dying stages to end the tie 5-4 ahead and take the precious two points.

Tournament hosts Rotherham spent 14 challenging minutes on the receiving end of a Leeds backlash, and were never really given a chance to gather any meaningful momentum during the West Yorkshire team's second match.

First half goals for Jas Littler and Leanne Pochin punished some sloppy Rotherham defence work – and an immediate red card added further uncertainty for the home side following a blatant head-high attack on Georgina Dutton.

A strong swim and solid finish by Lauren Richardson - quickly followed by a crafty well-worked solo effort by Ellie Sowerby, added two more unanswered strikes to Leeds’ tally. Giullietta Lane hammered home the fifth goal shortly before the final whistle.

Though Liverpool presented few surprises and Rotherham offered little by way of resistance - Warrington sent wolves dressed like sheep.

Within seconds of Ellie Sowerby grabbing possession from the swim-off - uncertainty seemed to take hold and the Leeds attack lost its shape. One of several well-worked attacks left the Leeds defence looking bewildered and fractured - and Rachel Thompson with no chance against Warrington’s unmarked striker.

A super shot from Lisa Marshall from just inside Warrington’s half was followed by a second goal for Warrington. Leeds then drew equal following some forward-thinking poaching work from Ellie Sowerby. Then yet another strike from Warrington put them 3-2 up going into half-time.

A powerful and elusive swim by Leeds captain Minnie Gale ended in a superb shot to even the score once again, but then Leeds were caught napping by another swift Warrington response.

Thankfully, Leeds saved their best passage of play for the dying minutes of the day – with two goals in quick succession from Lauren Richardson nailing Warrington’s fate and ensuring that Leeds left Maltby Leisure Centre with silver medals to show for two days of splendid effort and resilience.