Press Articles - 2 Oct 25

Published: 02 October 2025

Great articles in this weeks Dunfermline Press featuring the Caledonia Water Polo - Mens team coaching masterclass held at Carnegie Leisure Centre and Scottish Swimming award for Dunfermline Water Polo Club and Caledonia 1st team player Rory Nesbitt.

Link to article about Rory Nesbitt-named-Scottish-water-polo-player-year

Many thanks to sports reporter Ross Hart. 👏

Match Report - Scottish National League U17 Girls – Sunday 28th Sep

Published: 30 September 2025

 NSA Stirling:

Dunfermline WPC’s U17 girls opened their 2025/26 season with a loss to great rivals Warrender. We lined up with 10 players and welcomed young Niamh Wilson to our team for her first game at this age group. This defeat was a reverse from our excellent Scottish Cup final win. Warrender welcomed back Charlotte Smith from their Cup final team and this in the end proved significant. We started the game positively and were leading at half time but an excellent 3^rd period from our opponents and a late 4^th period rally which quelled our spirited fightback granted Warrender an 18-13 victory. Well done to them.

Per 1: We made a slow start, conceding an early penalty which Warrender converted through Emily Lake (EL)- her first of 13 goals!) We gradually came into the game, converting a man-up through Ava (her 1^st of 12 goals) and created many chances but unfortunately, we were unable to convert them under the pressure of chasing defenders and a strong showing by Zoey Nimmo in goal. We saved a man down situation, gained but missed a 6v5 before Isla put us into the lead. We then did well to defend another man-down for a 2-1, first period lead.

Per 2: We gained and scored an early 6v5 through Ava and then saved another 5v6 situation before Warrender reduced arrears through Charlotte Smith (CS) We gained but missed a 6v5 before Ava and Emily traded 2 goals each before Ava scored her 4^th of the period for a 6-4 half time lead.

Per 3: Unfortunately we lost momentum in this period. Zoey Nimmo came out of the goal and her, Jasmine Cornish, Charlotte Smith and Emily Lake integrated very well to co-ordinate their drives at goal and pass the ball accurately and at the right time to Emily Lake in space on the drive. We struggled to call and make the necessary defensive switches which allowed her to gain front water and move in to score (6). Eve made some good close in saves but we were always on the back foot, slow to secure rebounds and conceded exclusion and a penalty when caught behind. Two goals from Ava kept us in touch but Warrender scored 8 for a 12-8 lead at the three-quarter stage.

Per 4: The last period was an end to end affair and credit to our girls for continuing to work hard and staging a mini comeback. We reduced arrears to 13-15, gaining and scoring two 6v5’s  and 3 accurate shots from the perimeter, all scored by Ava. This was in reply to 3 goals from Warrender. Unfortunately we ran out of steam a little and after losing the ball in attack under tiredness, Warrender were able to counter-attack in behind us to score the last 3 goals of the contest for an 18-13 win.

Game Reflections: It is always disappointing to lose but there were a lot of positives in this performance. First half we blunted for the most part Warrender’s attacking threat and created many opportunities of our own. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to capitalise on the chances created, often delaying too long on our final shot and not moving forward towards the goal, too often shooting directly at the GK and sometimes making the wrong decision to shoot rather than pass. A great goal scoring performance by Ava but as she will inevitably draw more defensive cover, we need now to work on taking advantage of any space then created. Keep working on your swimming to help us keep ahead of chasing defenders and also work on finishing our chances when driving in on the GK with someone chasing.

Second half was not our best defensive performance as too often we let the driving player find front water instead of calling a switch to stop the drive. As a team we need to be alert when to do this. Never allow a driver to swim past you when you are marking another opponent. Always mark the player closest to our goal. We also did not put enough pressure on the player making the forward pass. Try to mark without fouling. This also led to several goals from outside perimeter shots. We will work on this.

Match Statistics:

1. Team & Goal scorers ( ): Eve Fielding, Ruby Oswald, Ava Thornton (12), Hali Farah, Niamh Wilson, Poppy Reid, Isla Edwards (1), Molly Oswald, Rosie Hookham, EllieThornton.
2. Exclusions/Pens conceded: Ruby O (2 pens), Ava (2 exc), Niamh (1 exc), Isla (1 exc, 1 pen)
3. Man-up –5 gained. 3 scored (60%) Man-down: 4 conceded – 1 saved. (25%)
4. Penalties: 0 gained, 3 conceded, 3 scored – (0%) –

 

East District Development Tournament

Published: 13 September 2025

Great to see so many of our players at today's East District tournament. We had 18 very excited kids participating in games not only for DWPC but also with the two Nomads teams, some playing their first ever competitive games!

The mini game with 20 young and inexperienced players in the pool was a real highlight, fantastic to see so much determination and smiles on players faces. Perhaps my top highlight, if I had to choose one, was young Danny getting one past his older brother Billy and scoring an excellent goal - a great example of what the ED tournaments are all about, game experience, challenges and lots of fun.

Probably the best (and slightly chaotic!) East District tournament I've coached in three years!

Thanks to all who helped make this happen - our table officials, young (and older) coaches and team managers and Richie for all the hard work you do to make these events happen. 🙂🤽🤽‍♂🎉

BMC Cup – U/18 Girls – Menzieshill/DWPC Match Reports

Published: 11 September 2025

BMC Cup – U/18 Girls – Menzieshill/DWPC  Friday 5^th to Sun 7^th September 2025 - Carnegie Centre

Team and results: Matches 4 x 6 mins – checked time.

Team	v Radcliffe		v Warrender		v Half Moon-Dublin		v City of M’chester		Totals	%ages
	Score	11 - 10	Score	19-5	Score	5-6	Score	11-10
	Goals	Exc/Pens	Goals	Exc/Pens	Goals	Exc/Pens	Goals	Exc/Pens
1.Eve Fielding
2.Erin Livie	1		2
3.Ava Thornton	1		2		2	1	3
4.Hali Farah			1	1
5.Millie Wishart		3 (2 pen	4		2		1
6.Eleanor Campbell		1					1
7.Libby Wallace		1	1	1	1	1	1
8.Lucy MacNair	7-(2 pen	1	7-(3pen)		NA		NA
9.Libby Duncan	1	1	1	1 pen		1		2 exc
10.Lottie Affleck				1
11.Kayla Reeve						1		1 exc
12.Ruby Oswald						1
13.Ksenia Mann	1	1	1		NA		3 + 2 pens	1 pen
Total	11		19		5		11		46
Shots taken	16	69%	26	73%	26	19%	23	48%	91	51%
Shots faced	10/22	45%	5/20	25%	6/19	32%	10/31	32%	31/92	34%
Shots saved	5/22	23%	1	4%	7	37%	7/21	33%	20

 

Group Game 1: v Radcliffe

Periods	Scores	Man-up – 6 v 5	Man Down – 5 v 6	Pens for	Pens against	Possession Gained	Possession lost
Period 1	1 - 3	1/3	1/3			4	6
Period 2	5 – 3  (6 – 6)	1/2	1/1	1/1	0/1	4	4
Period 3	4 – 2  (10 – 8)	1/1	1/1	1/1		9	7
Period 4	1 – 2	0/1 MU – 2 secs			1/1	7	7
Total:	11 – 10	3/6 50%	3/5 40%	2/2 100%	1/2 50%	23	25

Report: Group Game 1 v Radcliffe:

Per 1: We made a slow start to this game allowing Radcliffe to take an early lead. We responded quickly with Lucy scoring in a 6v5 and then worked hard to gain a further 2 exclusions. Unfortunately, these were both missed before Radcliffe scored a second when man-up before they scored again in the last 20 secs of the period, disappointingly gaining possession from our 6v5 to lead 3-1 at the period end.

Per 2: Our defending was much tighter at the start of this period, allowing us to secure the ball and attack with pace to score 4 goals in a row through Lucy 2 and Erin and Ksenia with 1 each to lead 5-4. Radcliffe came fighting back and despite missing a penalty, scored 2 goals in the last minute of the period to lead 6-5. We attacked again though, gaining a penalty which Lucy converted with just 8 seconds on the clock to tie the scores at 6-6 at the halfway point.

Per 3: The first part of this period was very even with 4 goals shared (Ava and Libby D 1 each). With 2 minutes on the clock, we gained a penalty which Lucy scored, before she added another in the last minute for us to lead 10-8 at the three quarter stage.

Per 4: The last period was very nervy. We were very careless in possession turning over the ball 7 times. Radcliffe scored twice to bring the game level at 10-10 mid way through the period. Lucy put us in the lead with 2m26 secs on the clock. Both teams gained and missed 6v5 situations and lost and regained possession in a frantic finish. We held out though for an excellent 11-10 win.

Group Game 2: v Warrender

Periods	Scores	Man-up – 6 v 5	Man Down – 5 v 6	Pens for	Pens against	Possession Gained	Possession lost
Period 1	6 - 0	1/1 MU to Pen		1/1		8	2
Period 2	7 – 2  (13 – 2)		x2-1/1 1/1	1/1		4	2
Period 3	1 – 1  (14 – 3)				0/1	4	7
Period 4	5 – 2			1/1		4	6
Total:	19 – 5	1/1 100%	2/2 0%	3/3 100%	0/1 0%	20	17

Report: Group Game 2 v Warrender-:

This was an excellent all round team performance based on high energy Press defence, counter attack and a 73% shooting accuracy spread across 9 players.

Per 1: In this period we gained possession with steals and interceptions 8 times compared to only 2 possession losses. This meant we were in possession of the ball for the majority of the period, allowing the team to counter quickly and score 6 through Libby D, Ksenia, Millie, Ava and 2 from Lucy. Despite missing one 6v5 we finished the period 6-0 ahead.

Per 2: Our forward momentum continued in this period, again with minimal possession losses to score a further 5 goals through Erin 2, Hali and Millie 2. Warrender were still driving and gained 2 exclusions at the same time to open their goal account, before Hali, Lucy and Libby W stretched our lead again. Warrender gained another exclusion to score the final goal of the period. 4 possession losses in this half compared to 10 possession losses in our first game was a significant factor in our dominance.

Per 3: Defence dominated this period as both teams found it hard to score. Warrender were still driving hard and scored through Rosa Green, gained a penalty which was missed before Ava scored with just 9 seconds on the clock.

Per 4: We started this period strongly with Lucy dominating the scoring with 3 goals including a penalty. Rosa pulled one back before Lucy scored her 4^th of the period. Millie added another before Rosa completed the scoring when man-up. An excellent 19-5 win.

Game 3: Semi Final v Half Moon – Dublin

Periods	Scores	Man-up – 6 v 5	Man Down – 5 v 6	Pens for	Pens against	Possession Gained	Possession lost
Period 1	1 - 2		1/2			5	6
Period 2	1– 3  (2 – 5)	1/1				6	7
Period 3	2 – 0  (4 – 5)		0/1	0/1		3	2
Period 4	1 – 1	0/1	0/1			4	5
Total:	5 – 6	1/2 50%	1/4 75%	0/1 0%	0	18	20

Report Game 3: Semi Final v Half Moon – Dublin

We lined up for this game without 1^st 7 players Lucy (also top scorer) and Ksenia) It turned out to be a very closely fought and exciting contest in which we tried very hard throughout but a high possession loss in per 1 and 2 in particular and an overall shooting accuracy of just 5 out of 26 shot attempts (19%) allowed Half Moon to establish 5-2 and 6-4 leads that we couldn’t quite claw back.

Per 1: Defences dominated the 1^st half of this period with both teams struggling to keep hold of the ball. We defended well an early exclusion before Half Moon opened the scoring. We pulled one back through Ava but conceded again after an exclusion to trail 1-2 at the end of the period.

Per 2: The 1^st half of this period was again tight with no goals scored before HM scored 2 to lead 1-4. We pulled a goal back through a second from Ava but conceded again with 17 seconds on the clock to trail 2-5 at half time. Losing possession 13 times and a shooting efficiency of 2 from 11  shots were disappointing features of the 1^st half.

Per 3: We defended excellently in this period restricting HM to just 4 shots, 3 of which were saved by Eve. We scored 2 good goals through Millie and Ava to reduce arrears to 4-5 but disappointingly we missed 7 other shots when we had good opportunity to go into the lead.

Per 4: The last period was very nervy as both teams gained and lost possession and missed chances. HM scored to go into a 4-6 lead. We then defended well a 5v6, but unfortunately failed to convert a 6v5 after a timeout. Millie scored with a minute to go but despite being in possession at the end we couldn’t force an equaliser. Disappointing, but well done to Half Moon.

 

Game 4: Bronze medal match v City of Manchester

Periods	Scores	Man-up – 6 v 5	Man Down – 5 v 6	Pens for	Pens against	Possession Gained	Possession lost
Period 1	6 - 3			1/1		7	6
Period 2	0 – 4  (6 – 7)	0/3	0/1		1/1	2	7
Period 3	2 – 2  (8 – 9)		0/1	1/1		4	6
Period 4	3 – 0	0/1	0/1			4	7
Total:	11 – 10	0/4 0%	0/3 100%	1/1 100%	1/1 100%	17	26

Report Game 4: Bronze medal match v City of Manchester

For this game we welcomed back Ksenia. Lucy had SWPL football commitments in Aberdeen so couldn’t play.

Per 1: We started this game very brightly, defending high, enabling us to steal the ball and score 3 goals in a row on the Counter-Attack through Libby W, Ava and Millie. CofM pulled one back through left hander Amelia Crossan from the perimeter before Millie then gained a penalty on the drive which Ksenia scored. A second from A Crossan, again from distance, reduced the score to 4-2 but commendably we kept pressing, stealing and countering resulting in further goals from Ksenia and Millie both in 2v1 situations. With just 15 seconds left on the clock we gained the ball but instead of seeing the time out we sent a long pass that was intercepted allowing CoM to drive forward and score a 3^rd goal from the outside Perimeter. We lead 6-3 at the end of the first period although the margin of lead probably should have been greater.

Per 2: CofM maintained this late per 1 momentum and started to adopt a high press all over the pool which restricted our attacking mobility resulting in only 3 attempts on goal. We gave away possession under pressure 7 times and as we dropped back to protect our centre back, we only stole back possession twice, allowing CoM space on the outer perimeter to score 3 long range shots as we were slow to close them down. They also gained and converted a penalty. We did well to gain 3 exclusions but disappointingly missed all three. A 4-0 period win for the opposition that took them into a 7-6 halftime lead.

Per 3: We made a very strong start to this period, winning the ball and countering to gain a penalty on the drive which Ksenia converted and then again when Ksenia got ahead on the drive to score 1 v GK. As the period progressed our defensive intensity dropped allowing CoM to score twice from 8m as we were slow to close down the ball and attempted blocks with the wrong hand. Our possession loss was 7 which disrupted our attacking potency. 2-2 period score and CoM went into the last period 1 goal ahead.

Per 4: This lead was increased to 2 when A Crossan scored her 5^th goal of the game from 6m after a foul as we failed to close her down. CoM continued to shoot from distance but Eve began to make some saves as our blocks narrowed the shooting angle. This allowed us to counter and a long pass over the top to Ksenia led to a goal in a 1 v the GK. In total CoM missed 6 perimeter shots allowing Ksenia to Counter again and score to bring us level at 10-10. As we moved into the last minute, CoM gained an exclusion but failed to score and then we gave up possession with an offensive foul. CoM had a 2 v 1 but we scrambled back to regain possession allowing Ava to counter and score with just 1 second on the match clock. Congratulations girls on an excellent 3 goal comeback in the last period. Final score 11-10.

Overall reflections:

Whilst we were disappointed to not win the BMC Cup this year, our team should be commended for excellent application and work rate throughout each of the 4 games we played. To beat the eventual winners, Radcliffe, in the first game was very positive although the 1 goal margin did indicate the closeness of the contest. Our performance v Warrender, especially in the 1^st half was excellent and enabled us to finish as top team in the preliminary stage and go straight to the semi final where we would play Half Moon from Dublin. This was another tight contest but unfortunately we missed too many good shooting opportunities allowing Half Moon to win by the odd goal in 11. City of Manchester were formidable opponents in the Bronze medal match and indeed led by 2 goals in the last period but our team showed great determination to pull it back and score the winner with just 1 second on the clock. Congratulations girls.

There is much potential in this team, but going forward we require time together in order to prepare effectively and with intensity for NAG’s at U/17 & U/19 levels at the beginning of 2026.

Our main areas for Improvement are:

• Reducing the number of possession turnovers conceded.
• Our 6 v 5 Attack
• Shooting effectiveness under pressure