Second Lyme Splash proves to be a big success

Action from the WElsh W versus Hants meeting during the Lyme Splash. (Image: © 2018 StrpiyInk Design Limited)

The games, as part of Carnival Week, were played in the harbour on one of the pontoons and a floating pitch as spectators cheered from the Cobb and the beach.

Dorset Councils Partnership and harbour master Grahame Foreshaw certainly pulled out all the stops to make sure the Cobb was all ready for play.

The players’ HQ was at The Cobb Centre, kindly donated for the day by Steve Postles, where hot drinks and Moores biscuits kept them topped up between matches.

Swim England SW Region Water Polo Association with Mike Coles provided a team of referees, Fred Fowler and Bridport Barracudas lent equipment, the floating pitch, set it up, begged and borrowed extra goals and nets and all provided their expertise and, at the end of the day, the ladies’ title was won by Welsh Warriors, with Hampshire the runners-up and the men’s title was won by Frome with Weymouth and Portland the runners-up.

Action from the WElsh W versus Hants meeting during the Lyme Splash. (Image: © 2018 StrpiyInk Design Limited)

There was also a novice team competition, which was won by Yeovil Spartans with Lyme Luggers the runners-up.

Each winning team member was presented with a medal and they and the runners-up also received a metal refillable water bottle, and all participants received a much welcomed heavily discounted ice cream by the generous sponsors of the event, Dorset-based artisanal ice-cream maker Baboo Gelato.

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the championship for the second year running. The prize of a water bottle is part of our commitment to reduce single-use plastic and share our support of Plastic Free Lyme Regis,” said Annie Hanbury, founder of Baboo Gelato.

Karen Durham-Diggins, chair of Lyme Splash, said: “It was tremendous to see so many players of all ages enjoying themselves with a huge amount of support from their friends and family as well as locals and tourists. As ever, our team of local volunteers made the day such a success. Not only is this event becoming a firm favourite in Lyme Regis Carnival calendar, but also in the water polo community, where they rarely get to play in the sea.

There are now plans being put in place to form a Lyme Regis water polo team and I’d say watch this space for more details on that one.”

The next Lyme Splash event is the Lyme Regis to Charmouth 3.15k Sea Swim being held on Sunday, September 2, from 10.30am.