TWO Bolton School water polo teams produced superb performances on Saturday to retain their English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA) titles.

The under-18s and u15s had resounding victories in the tournament which was staged in their home town.

Bolton One was the venue for the national finals for the first time, and the local lads did the town proud with two magnificent victories.

The double began when the u15s, captained by Jos Winstanley, ran out convincing 7-1 winners in the final against Alleyn’s School from Croydon.

The Bolton boys displayed their dominance earlier in the tournament when they beat Dulwich School 6-0, Alleyn’s School 5-1 and Trinity School 7-1.

The u18s, captained by Tom Prayle, had to come from behind in their final.

Bill Moores made a fine first-half penalty save and pushed a shot on to the bar with Bolton already 1-0 down to Haberdasher Aske’s.

James Barker, normally a goalkeeper, scored several crucial goals for Bolton including the equaliser in the final, upon which the team built and secured a 3-1 win with a goal in the last 90 seconds.

Earlier in the competition, they had beaten Enfield 6-2, Haberdasher’s 3-1 and Alleyn’s School 7-1.

It was the third year in a row they have won the national title, while it was the second successive year for the u15s.

Head coach Andy McGinty, said: “I was delighted with the way we controlled the games, especially in light of the fact that our u18s’ team had not beaten Haberdasher Aske’s before in a final.”

Representing sport in the town was Dave Singleton, head of the Leisure Trust, and Anna Fitzpatrick, head of school science and sport at the University of Bolton.

Phil Winstanley and Ian Elliott represented England Water-Polo who discussed the possibility of further collaboration and usage of the town’s outstanding facilities.

Bolton School’s u13s will look to complete the hat-trick with a win in their finals next month.