Cheltenham’s hopes of landing a water polo league and cup double were dashed in cruel fashion at Sandford Lido.

They were beaten 10-9 by Lancaster in the final of the British Championships, going down to a goal in the final minute.

“It was galling,” said Martyn Thomas, who is director of coaching of the water polo section at Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club.

“We haven’t lost to them all season but they played out of their skins.

“We didn’t play as well as we can but it was a real ding-dong game.”

Cheltenham, who wrapped up their fourth British Men’s Super 5s League title in six years earlier in the season, made the worst possible start against Lancaster, finding themselves two goals down in the first minute.

“We got it back to 2-2 but then we had a bad third quarter and we were three goals behind,” said Thomas.

“We got back level with them again but were never in front and we were always playing catch-up.”

It was the final game for Thomas’ son and captain Michael, who confirmed after the match that he will be retiring.

Cheltenham had booked their place in the final with a 14-4 semi-final over Invicta the previous day.

The players now all have a month before returning for pre-season training at the end of June in readiness for the start of the new campaign which gets under way at the end of September.

Despite Cheltenham’s defeat by Lancaster, it was still a very successful weekend as Sandford Lido hosted the closing stages of both the men’s and women’s knockout competitions.

“There must have been 400 people there for the finals,” said Thomas. “It was an absolute total success.”