Three members of Denton-based Xarifa Underwater Hockey Club are celebrating winning bronze for Team GB at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur.
Jake Charnock, Emrys Williams and captain Declan McNulty secured a third-place finish in a tight play-off match against France after finishing behind them in the ten-game round robin stage.
The team started strongly against their inexperienced hosts, beating Malaysia 15-0, before losing 5-0 to eventual tournament winners New Zealand.
They ran in double figure scores against Poland and the USA, but a second defeat at the hands of Australia set up their decider with the French.
GB twice came from behind thanks to goals from Tyreese Norville, with McNulty scoring the winner in the fourth minute of overtime to claim a brilliant bronze.
There were no medals for Declan’s sister, Nieve, who vice-captained the Women’s Under-24s to two wins and a draw from their eight group games, finishing in a creditable sixth place.
Another Xarifa athlete, Lawrence Ndadaye, top scored for Team GB’s Men’s Under-19s, scoring seven goals as they also ended the tournament in sixth spot.
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