2026 President’s Cup & Coles Cup Knockout Competitions

This year, alongside the Senior Men’s Competition, the Bristol & West Water Polo League is delighted to introduce the inaugural Senior Women’s Knockout Competition.

Senior Women’s Coles’ Trophy Knockout Competition

The new Coles’ Trophy, presented by Mike Coles, for the Women’s Knockout Competion.
Photo taken by James Booth Photography.

Round 1

(Completed by May 31st, 2026)

  • City of Bristol vs. Welsh Wanderers
    • Location: Hengrove Park Leisure Centre
    • Result: Welsh Wanderers were awarded a 10-goal handicap advantage, but City of Bristol’s strong offense proved dominant, securing a 23–18 victory to advance.

Semi-Finals

(To be completed by July 31st, 2026)

  • Devonport Royal vs. Newton Abbot
    • Date: Tuesday, June 30th | Venue: Plymouth Life Centre
    • Result: Devonport Royal were given an 8-goal handicap advantage and dominated the match, winning 21–8 to book their place in the final.
  • Exeter vs. City of Bristol
    • Date: Wednesday, July 22nd
    • Result: City of Bristol were awarded a 0–0 scratch handicap over Exeter, but they overcame the home side easly, 7-17 to advance to the final.
  • 🏆 Women’s Final
  • Match: Devonport Royal (white hats) vs. City of Bristol (blue hats).
  • Date: Sunday, October 11th, 2026
  • Time: 2:00 PM
  • Venue: Marlborough College Pool
The victorious Devonport Royal Women’s Team who were able to hold off a strong opposition from City of Bristol, in the final held at Marlborough College Pool on October 11th, 2026. Devonport had been awarded a seven goal head start, but won comfortable 17-11 after City of Bristol had been hit with a number of their Internationals having to attend GB Training. Photo was taken by James Booth Photography.

Men’s Senior Team Knockout

The President’s Cup, presented by Phil Whiting, together with the Gold and Silver Medals prior to the Cup Final between Swindon Dolphins and Bradford-on-Avon, played at Marlborough College Pool. Photo by James Booth Photography.

Final

The Final of the President’s Cup Knockout Competition was staged at Marlborough College Pool, on Sunday, October 11th, where the local side, Swindon Dolphins, entertained fellow Wiltshire side, Bradford-on-Avon, who had been awarded a five-goal head start. The game was officiated by Cheltenham’s Chris Tubby, and Dave Murphy from Dorset.

Swindon chipped away at the handicap, but Bradford held on until the third period, when Swindon finally got the equaliser to level the scores at 8-all, going into the final period.

They took the lead soon after the start of the quarter, through Zac Cocoran, their new signing for this year, and although Bradford tried desperately to fight back with a goal through Jacob Greenow, they could not stop Swindon on their home turf, as they romped home 11-9. Top goal scorer for Swindon as Cocoran, with a double hat-trick. Henry Broadhurst was top scorer for Bradford with two goals.

The semi-final draw was completed on Tuesday, July 7th, by Elodie Coles (granddaughter of Match Secretary Mike Coles) and Phil Whiting (League President).

The victorious Swindon Dolphin team, coached by Andy Hicks, who beat Bradford-on-Avon 11-9 in the final of the Bristol & West Water Polo League’s President’s Cup Knockout Competition at Marlborough College Pool.

Semi-Final Draw

(To be completed by September 27th, 2026. Handicaps to be issued in due course.)

  • Swindon Dolphin vs. Swansea Swindon were awarded a seven goal start, but it was clear from the outset that they were the stronger side, and they soon stormed into a nine goal lead before the visitors to Marlborough College could even get on the scoresheet. The Welsh Side were totally outclassed by the home side who dominated throughout, finishing with five goals for Llewellyn Hoenselaar, making him the top goalscorer for the Dolphin’s side.
  • Bradford on Avon vs. Weston-super-Mare (0-0 scratch). The visitors to Bradford on Avon, faced tough opposition which included International Henry Broadhurst in their team, as well as a number of present University of Bath past and present, which gave strong opposition with a weakened Weston team, which included three under-16 players. The visitors stronggled from the start, and by then end of the opening period they were 5-1 down. By the third period the Seasiders had rallied slightly, to bring it to 12-6, but faced total annihilation from the strong home side,and lost 18-7. Bradford on Avon will now go on to face either Swindon Dolphin or Swansea in the final at Marlborough College on Sunday, October 11th.

Previous Men’s Results

Round 1

(Completed by May 31st, 2026)

  • Swansea vs. City of Newport
    • Date: Tuesday, May 19th | Venue: Wales National Pool
    • Result: Swansea were awarded a 14-goal handicap advantage and won 24–17.
  • Newton Abbot vs. Swindon Dolphin
    • Result: Cup holders Swindon Dolphin traveled to Devon with an 8-goal handicap advantage over the Division 1 side, securing an 18–15 victory (15–18) to advance.

Round 2

(Completed by June 30th, 2026)

  • City of Bristol Harlequins vs. Weston-super-Mare
    • Venue: Hengrove
    • Result: Despite Harlequins starting with a 4-goal handicap advantage, Weston fought back strongly to claim a 20–12 victory (12–20).
  • Frome vs. Swindon Dolphin
    • Result: Swindon Dolphin held off their Somerset rivals 19–13 (13–19), utilizing their 9-goal handicap start.
  • Swansea vs. City of Bristol
    • Date: Tuesday, June 16th | Venue: Wales National Pool
    • Result: Swansea were given a 14-goal start. A shorthanded City of Bristol side (nine players) could not bridge the gap, leaving Swansea with a 20–17 victory.
  • Bradford on Avon vs. Devonport Royal
    • Result: Bradford on Avon earned a comprehensive 22–9 victory, overcoming the handicap set for the Plymouth-based Division 1 side.


2025 Winners of the President’s Cup were Swindon Dolphin, pictured here with the
cup in the foreground.