Weston Water Polo Club played their first home game at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre since 2019, and celebrated it with a 16-13 win over visitors Exmouth B on Sunday.

New captain Scott Bradley opened the scoring in under two minutes, but Phil Sydenham equalised for the visitors.

Kyle Maloney struck back to take the home side back into the lead when former captain Reece Trapani extended the lead.

However, the visitors finished this first period the stronger, netting four goals without reply to take the lead.

The Seasiders rallied in the second period after a good talking to from coach Nick Purslow, and they were soon back on level terms with two superbly taken goals by Trapani.

Weston’s Matt Vincent struck back after being left up front unmarked from an Exeter attack which saw James Bramwell make an excellent save, and fire the ball up to Vincent who completed the move by scoring and giving the home side the lead again.

Then came a very special moment, as Ieuan Laraman scoring a debut goal, by dribbling around a player and shooting from a tight wing position on the right to draw the biggest cheer of the night.

Exeter pulled one back through Simon Quantick before Maloney scored his second of the night to take it to 8-6 at the halfway stage.

Weston Mercury: Weston Water Polo were playing their first game at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre since 2019 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.Weston Water Polo were playing their first game at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre since 2019 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. (Image: Mike Coles)

After the interval, Weston stalwart Liam Coles scored with a fine solo effort after breaking away from his marker and dribbling the ball up the left-hand side of the pool and blasted a shot goalwards.

Trapani scored again after fooling the defender by twisting and turning in front of the goal and then shooting from short-range.

Coles netted his second goal in the quarter and the hosts looked in total control, but Exeter fought back to with two goals at 12-10.

Dan Riordan settled the nerves by netting his first-ever goal for Weston, but Exeter snatched a goal in the last five seconds of the period through Sydenham.

Weston regained composure in the final quarter with Coles completing his hat-trick, and Bradley also scoring to complete his, with Exeter only managing one.

Trapani topped off a fine attacking performance by netting his fifth goal of the night, and being crowned man of the match shortly before Nisen Guler blew the final whistle.

This Sunday Weston take on Frome, in the return leg of a friendly fixture.