THE first Dorset county water polo teams to enter a pool for 35 years took on the might of neighbours Devon, whose teams included internationals and National League players.

The senior men lost 15-4 and the under-17 team went down 19-3.

But Dorset coaches Dan Kinsey and Mick Flaherty said their teams could "take a lot of pride" from what they had achieved against "two sides at the top of their game".

"Dorset is making huge strides in water polo and we will only get stronger by playing the top sides," said Kinsey.

Both matches were played at Exeter's Pyramids Leisure Centre for the Inter-County Challenge Cups.

In the under 17s, Devon raced into a 2-0 lead but Niall Laming, the Dorset captain, pulled one back for the visitors in the first quarter.

By the end of the second quarter, Devon were 5-2 ahead with Laming doubling his tally.

The third quarter saw the strong Devon squad begin to assert its strength, scoring a further seven goals with Dorset's Arran Laming replying for the visitors.

Nick Flack had a fine game in the Dorset goal but could do little to stop the home side pressing home their advantage and the match ended 19-3.

The senior game proved an equally tough baptism for the Dorset side with Devon racing into a 4-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Dorset team found its rhythm, scoring three goals through Ed Stevens (2) and Paul Jones.

Again Devon's greater strength in depth told and the hosts added to their tally.

Dorset had to wait till the final quarter to find the net again, Dan Cooney nudging the ball over the line after a shot by captain Dan Kinsey had been deflected.

In his first representative game for Dorset, goalkeeper Kester Sheppard showed excellent form, making many fine saves.

The final score was 15-4 to Devon.

Dorset junior squad: Nick Flack (goalkeeper), Niall Laming (captain), Chris Chamberlain, Arran Laming, Thomas Cain, Dan Redrupp, Anand Vaithilingam, Sam Laming, Robert Brunt, Adam Wood, Connor Aitkin.

Senior squad: Kester Sheppard (goalkeeper), Dan Kinsey (captain), Ed Stevens, Carl Van-Landeghen, Antonio Rhodes, Mat White, George Fridd, Paul Jones, Niall Laming, Ian Pidgeon, Dan Cooney, Mick Flaherty.