For the first time in the club's history Tyldesley’s U18s water polo team coached by Mike Short became the national champions in 1998 after beating Cheltenham in the ASA Club Junior Competition held at Sheffield’s Ponds forge pool. And after three years of being knocked out in the semi-finals, success was particularly sweet.

Both sides had a large following cheering them on. The 1^st quarter saw Tyldesley open the scoring with a goal from Matthew Cutt but Cheltenham took the lead soon afterwards with two goals in quick succession. Another goal from Matthew Cutt and one from Michael Cowburn saw the quarter finish 3-3.

In the second quarter Tyldesley started to dominate and with two goals from Philip Stout and another from Michael Cowburn along with good goalkeeping from Gareth Davies Tyldesley went into the third quarter with a 6-4 lead. Tyldesley continued to dominate and were soon 9-5 up with two goals from Michael Cowburn and one from Jonathan Stafford only to see Cheltenham pull two goals back to finish the quarter 9-7.

The final quarter was played in an electric atmosphere and when Cheltenham scored again to make it 9-8 the spectators were on the edge of their seats. Chances went begging at both ends, then a goal from Jonathan Stafford eased the tension a little but not for long for with two minutes to go Cheltenham made it 10-9 but Tyldesley played well and that is how it finished.

A cracking final for players and spectators alike and the Tyldesley team have earned themselves a place in the club’s history books.

There were however two disappointments on the day.  First the message at the front of the programme from the president of the ASA Mr John Leach stated:  "The early evening sees the final of the Club Junior Men's Championship between Cheltenham and Tyldesley.  Again, we can expect that the Cheltenham team will wish to give a good account of themselves."  What about Tyldesley!   Then the trophy was not available for presentation.