A 14-12 victory over Exeter II secured Swindon Dolphin a first Bristol and West Water Polo League Division One championship.

Following on from last season's League KO Cup victory this completes a very successful 12 months for one of only two Wiltshire based teams in the league.

Despite a depleted squad, Dolphin took control of the game from the swim off and by the end of the first quarter had opened up a 6-1 lead with goals from Dave Quinlivan, Matt James and two each from Ian Brewer and Michal Trzeciak.

This was one of Dolphin’s best periods of the season, with patient and clinical attacking at one end and a strong half pool press at the other, limiting Exeter to barely an opportunity at the other.

There was no let-up by Dolphin in the second period as goals from Quinlivan and James opened up a seven-goal lead. Exeter briefly reduced the arrears before the prolific Quinlivan hit back.

Exeter then hit their stride and started to eat into the Dolphin lead and with the visitors accumulating majors and, with exclusions a threat, the threadbare squad was under severe pressure.

Despite goals by James, Quinlivan and Andy Strong, Dolphin were being out scored and the lead reduced to four with a quarter remaining.

The onslaught continued as the game entered its final period and Exeter reduced the deficit to one but a time out and a tactical change to protect the players in foul trouble ultimately proved decisive, allowing Trzeciak to restore the two-goal advantage before Quinlivan notched his fifth and Dolphin’s decisive goal.

Quinlivan said: “I don’t think I could be prouder. We travelled to Exeter with a squad of seven and an average age of just under 40 and we have played some of the best polo we have put together in a number of years.

“We deserve this title, not just for this game but the way we have played all season, we have ground out results when we have been under pressure.”