With no fewer than six players making their water polo debuts, Sutton & Cheam’s U13 team stormed to victory with 4 wins out of 4 on Sunday to top the London League table.

The team’s mature performance was made even more remarkable with Erin Andrew and Imogen Smith (both aged 8), having the distinction of becoming the youngest players ever to represent Sutton & Cheam in a water polo event. It was also the first time the club has ever put out a team with three players from the same family, Adam, Elise and Imogen Smith.

Overall, Natalie Andrew top-scored with 9 goals, followed by Michael Rees (6), George Brown (4), Adam Smith (4), and Issie Mettan Ure (2).

Kieran Rutter excelled in goal and the team’s defence was particularly pleasing with Adam Smith, Georgina Bourley, George Brown, Natalie Andrew and Issie Mettan Ure breaking up attack after attack.

However, the whole performance was based on a sound team display and fantastic team spirit with every player defending as a team, attacking in force and playing for each other. The team improved in every game and to cap a fine team effort, all but three of the players are eligible to play in the same age group next year.

In the opening game against Croydon, goals from Natalie Andrew put Sutton & Cheam 2-0 ahead but Croydon came surging back to lead 3-2 early in the second half. However, after Michael Rees levelled the scores, further goals from Natalie Andrew, George Brown, Michael Rees and Adam Smith put the game beyond Croydon’s reach, Sutton winning 7-4.

Against Chelmsford, Sutton shot to a 4-0 lead thanks to 2 goals each from Natalie Andrew and George Brown. Adam Smith and Michael Rees added to the score before Chelmsford scored a late consolation, Sutton winning 6-1.

Despite conceding an early goal against Watford, Sutton’s young team put it behind them, and playing a very mature game scored 6 unanswered goals from Michael Rees (3), Natalie Andrew (2) and Adam Smith to net another 6-1 win.

In the final game against Basildon, 2 debut goals from Issie Mettan Ure, with further goals from Natalie Andrew (2), Adam Smith and George Brown cancelled out Basildon’s 3 long-range efforts, Sutton winning 6-3.

Coach, Dave Andrews said: “The swimming strength of our players was key together with a great team spirit”

Team: Kieran Rutter, Adam Smith, Natalie Andrew, Georgina Bourley, Erin Andrew, Issie Mettan Ure, Michael Rees, Imogen Smith, George Brown, Elise Smith.