Batley octopush seniors triumph on national stage

Batley Octopush open age team triumphed on a national stage last Saturday, winning an event at the Ponds Forge Pool in Sheffield.
Batleys promotion winn ingOctopush team. Back row:  Eric Archer, Nathan Archer, Daniel Pitchforth, Adam Coote, Callum Dee, James Waite, Keith Hedges, Tom Pitchforth, Beatrix Dixon, Jo Pitchforth, Emma Pitchforth and Oliver Schofield.Batleys promotion winn ingOctopush team. Back row:  Eric Archer, Nathan Archer, Daniel Pitchforth, Adam Coote, Callum Dee, James Waite, Keith Hedges, Tom Pitchforth, Beatrix Dixon, Jo Pitchforth, Emma Pitchforth and Oliver Schofield.
Batleys promotion winn ingOctopush team. Back row: Eric Archer, Nathan Archer, Daniel Pitchforth, Adam Coote, Callum Dee, James Waite, Keith Hedges, Tom Pitchforth, Beatrix Dixon, Jo Pitchforth, Emma Pitchforth and Oliver Schofield.

Teams travelled from across the UK to take part in the Nautilus competition, with the South West and Orkneys in Scotland among those to be represented.

Batley came first in Division Two of the five sections in the competition after their second place in Division Three last year earned them promotion.

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The Batley team consisted mainly of players under 19 years old with three older players making up their squad of 12.

The team started particularly well with a 4-1 win over Southsea followed by a 4-0 win over Manchester.

Batley’s third game saw them sweep aside Caledonia of Edinburgh 7-1 and they maintained their 100 per cent record with a 4-0 success over Plymouth.

Batley then faced a tough test against local rivals Leeds when they were unfortunately beaten 2-1.

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Batley bounced back in their final group game, as they defeated Bournemouth and Southampton 5-3 to finish top of their section.

They faced a final play-off game against Glasgow, who had played in Division One of the competition.

Batley knew victory would secure their place in the first division next season and they ran out 3-1 winners to earn back to back promotions.

Victory means Batley will now play in the top flight of the Nautilus competition for the first time in their history.

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The senior team’s success came on the back of Batley Juniors Under-16 and Under-12 teams finishing first at the Junior National Octopush Championships and the club are making people take note of them as a force in under water hockey.

Batley Octopush Club meet every Sunday at Batley Sports and Tennis Centre and welcome new players interested in taking up the sport.

Training for beginners is between 5pm to 6pm with equipment provided.