PROMOTED York City have enjoyed a splashing start to the British Water Polo League - winning their first five fixtures.

York, who have scored 65 goals to 41 against in those five matches, go to Marlborough College for their next outing, where they will meet mid-table Southampton on Sunday, October 26.

The Minster city men opened their division three account with a thrilling 11-10 victory over fellow promoted side Basildon and an even more hard-fought 11-8 win over Watford, both at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

Chris Burns scored six times in the first contest, which was a real ding-dong affair and only decided by Dean Toomey’s winner with 47 seconds on the clock.

Goalkeeper Andy Morris was named man of the match for a display which included a crucial penalty save.

Burns netted three times more against Watford and had a long-ranger harshly disallowed, while Nick Boaz, Toomey and Jonny Lucas all bagged braces and captain Paul Floyd scored with a fine lob.

However, the game was affected by controversial refereeing which brought 15 exclusions for York compared to seven for Watford, ejections for Floyd and Danny Rippon, and another disallowed goal, this time by Boaz. York coach David Clegg was also sent from the poolside for questioning the officiating.

York returned to Basildon to meet Bridgefield, Grantham and City of Cambridge, all within the space of 24 hours, and they won all three matches comfortably - 9-4, 17-7 and 17-12 respectively.