Seagulls extended their lead at the top of the Dorset Junior Water Polo League with a resounding 11-2 victory over Bridport Barracudas.

In their third match in a week which has seen them score 35 goals and concede only five, the Christchurch junior team took the lead in the opening seconds to set the tempo.

They continued to score freely throughout the match, using a tough full-pool press to gain a stranglehold on possession.

They now have a goal difference of plus-39 after just three league games.

The junior match was the climax of a Dorset League triple-header, watched by a capacity crowd that turned Christchurch’s Two Riversmeet pool into a cauldron of excitement.

Seagulls’ KS3 team made good use of their greater fitness to record a 7-2 victory over the Bridport KS3 youngsters.

An evenly-matched first quarter ended with a 1-1 scoreline but Seagulls then found their rhythm to advance to 3-1 by half-time and 4-1 by the end of the third quarter.

Three goals in the final segment against one in reply ensured that Seagulls extended their unbeaten record.

In the opening KS2 fixture earlier, Seagulls introduced five debutants with an average age of just nine, all playing in deep water for the first time.

Despite their inexperience, the Christchurch youngsters held Barracudas to a 1-1 scoreline at the end of the first quarter.

The visitors scored two minutes into the second quarter from an excellent counter-attack but Seagulls immediately struck back to level the scores.

Bridport edged ahead again by half-time before a scoreless third quarter.

In a thrilling final quarter, Barracudas advanced their lead to 5-2 but within 30 seconds Seagulls struck back to reduce the deficit to 5-3.

Cheered on by the vociferous crowd, the Seagulls youngsters gradually took control of the pool and scored again with a minute remaining to set up a grandstand finish.

In the closing seconds, they hit the bar and the rebound bobbled on the line before a last-ditch clearance confirmed Barracudas as the 5-4 winners.

Seagulls coach Rob Webber said: “The three matches made for a great night’s entertainment and the real winners were the 80-plus parents who came to watch.

“The atmosphere and noise rivalled that of any swim meet and the kids from both clubs were inspired by that.

“It is good to see our juniors and key stage three sides fulfilling their potential and topping the league.

“But the real joy was to see the key stage two players battling it out.

“We have always placed more importance on skills development in the very young squad rather than winning – that’s the formula for success in the major tournaments.”

Seagulls squads – KS2: Victoria Allen, Isobel Brearley, Anashe Chisadze, Matt Folland, Alfie Gormley, Ellen Morrow, Joe Noyce, Jacob O’Hara, Sarah Rogers, Nathan Wickens.

KS3: Arthur Allen, Ross Broadfield, Kyle East, Beth Folland, Peter Gallagher, Harrison Mullins, Ben Radford, Kathy Rogers, Chloe Roxburgh, Edward Stephenson, James Stephenson, Spencer Wilks.

Junior: Charles Elderfield, David Gallagher, Mikey Kingsley, Cianan Mann, Jackson Mullins, Ali Rogers, Charlie Roberts, James Stephenson, Sam Webber.