YORK City Water Polo Club are on the verge of National League promotion following a hugely successful return to the British Water Polo League.

The Minster city squad have qualified for the promotion play-offs, which take place this weekend at The Edge, hosted by the University of Leeds.

They rounded off the regular season with two more victories, over Ealing and Dover, leaving them with only one narrow defeat to Cheltenham during the entire season.

The game against Ealing was a nail-biter, with the teams entering the final quarter level and York finding the net one more time than Ealing to take the spoils 11-10.

Club captain Paul Floyd showed his depth of experience and determination to score two goals in the final quarter and be the top scorer in the match.

A spokesman said: “It was a very satisfying victory, over an experienced Ealing Squad and clearly demonstrated the progress that York has made throughout the season.”

The final game of the regular season resulted in a convincing win over a depleted Dover squad.

Chris Burns and Ben Pacey made huge contributions with five goals each in a 24-4 victory.

Attention has now turned to the promotion play-offs, where York will compete against Basildon, Cheltenham Spartans and Southampton.

Club chairman and former Great Britain water polo player Dave Clegg sent a motivational message to the squad.

He said: “Congratulations to the entire squad for your superb results throughout the season.

“Your hard work has been rewarded; which is a credit to you all. Games are won by teamwork and the commitment to work for each other.

“Your results this season reflect the overall ability of all to achieve promotion. You owe it to yourselves to continue to work hard and strive to be the best that you can be.”

York’s first play-off match will be against Basildon at 2.45pm today.

They will then face Cheltenham Spartans at 9.30am tomorrow before rounding off the campaign against Southampton at 4.45pm tomorrow.