YOUNGSTERS representing two city high schools made a splash when they took part in a national water polo competition held at Carnegie Leisure Centre.

Earlier this month, more than 90 pupils from nine secondary schools – including Woodmill and Queen Anne – took to the home pool of Dunfermline Water Polo Club to compete in the Scottish Schools Water Polo Open Championship.

A full day of competition saw the two West Fife schools, along with Stirling High School, Wallace High School, Falkirk High School, the High School of Dundee, James Gillespie's High School, Portobello High School, and St Margaret's Academy, compete to win championship and plate prizes.

The teams were split into three groups of three, with Queen Anne losing out to Stirling and James Gillespie's in Group B, and Woodmill defeating St Margaret's Academy, but losing out to Portobello, in Group C.

Woodmill advanced to the championship quarter-finals, where they lost to Falkirk, whilst Queen Anne moved into the plate competition, finishing second to the High School of Dundee, who won both their matches, whilst Queen Anne defeated St Margaret's.

Wallace High were the championship winners and Tina Melville, tournament organiser, commented: "A full day of competition saw highly contested matches, with most teams including youngsters with club experience alongside some juniors with selection at national level.

"The teamwork was brilliant throughout with challenging games, accurate passes, great goals, spectacular saves and a penalty decider. The event was topped by a keenly competitive final between Portobello High School and Wallace High School.

"A huge thank you to all the pupils who took part, they were a real credit to their schools. Thanks also to the coaches and teachers for their efforts in developing the sport of water polo,and to the volunteers and officials without whom this event wouldn’t happen. A particular thank you to all the staff at the Carnegie Centre who could not have been more helpful on the day. We got a great welcome from the Carnegie team and their support throughout the tournament was second to none.

"We look forward to returning to the Carnegie Centre in Dunfermline for some more spectacular Schools Water Polo in the future."

Richie Metcalfe, secretary of Dunfermline Water Polo Club, added: "The day ran to time, the staff were great, and the pool set-up was as good as gold. It ran really well.

"It's good to see Dunfermline schools back at Carnegie, and getting people playing in the sport, and trying a discipline that they otherwise probably wouldn't be involved in.

"It is good to see. Everyone seemed to enjoy it; the kids seemed to have a good laugh, and have fun."

High School of Dundee's Alasdair Grant won a 'crossbar challenge' held on the day, whilst Ethan Aitken, of Wallace High, was the tournament's top goalscorer.