VICTORIES against Cheltenham and London Penguin at Salt Ayre have put Lancaster within touching distance of England's water polo crown yet again.

The city team, left, is two points clear at the top of the league table with just two matches remaining.

But the real test comes when the team faces arch-rivals Bristol this Sunday - and the winner will claim the 2003 title.

Lancaster who were back to full strength with Jim Lafferty back in the line-up at Salt Ayre and looked fully in control in both their games, winning both by 12-1.

It took two and a half minutes to find the back of the Cheltenham net but thereafter there was no looking back as Dougie Campbell powered home to finish off attacks twice inside 30 seconds and the visitors struggled to get a shot at Dave Bush.

It was 7-0 at half time but rather than ease off Lancaster continued to take the game to the opposition with Lafferty and Paul Howarth giving Hartley and Mcilquham a rest at the back and Burgess, Ryan Pinington and Tom Curwen all scoring.

In the second game, Lancaster made Penguin regret the absence of two senior players with a crushing victory to end the Londoner's interest in the title race.

It wasn't long before the home side took control as Campbell (2), Curwen and Burgess putting them in command within the first quarter.

Penguin snatched their only goal of the game in the third quarter without threatening any further, and again in the final quarter it was Lancaster who showed more initiative.

Team (goals in brackets): D Bush, P Howarth (1), C Burgess (5), J McIlquham(1), C Hartley (2), R Pinington (1), T Curwen (2), A Squires, N Bowers ( 2), S Knowles, D Campbell (10), J Lafferty.