Rondebosch outsmarts Clifton to win the Ian Melliar Cup
The Rondebosch Boys’ High u15 water polo team put on a masterclass to dismantle Clifton College 10-2 in the final of the annual Ian Melliar Cup Water Polo Tournament in Cape Town on Sunday.
The tournament, which is hosted by Wynberg Boys High, returned this year for its 17th edition, and, with a stacked line-up of the country’s best water polo-playing schools, it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Relive the action on SuperSport Schools.
On their way to the final, both Rondebosch and Clifton impressed in the pool stage.
However, it was ‘Bosch that shone from the get-go, winning their five round-robin matches against Hilton College, St Andrew’s College, Glenwood House, St David’s Marist Inanda, and Pretoria Boys High.
The side, coached by Jordan Maehler and managed by Penny Ashwell, then faced Paul Roos Gimnasium in the quarterfinals and dominated that encounter to come away with a convincing 13-7 victory.
Rondebosch’s run of tough fixtures didn’t end there. In the semis, they had to overcome last year’s winners, Bishops Diocesan College, while Clifton took on the home team, Wynberg.
Coach Maehler’s side got the job done, beating their southern suburbs rivals, 13-8. Meanwhile, in the second semi-final, Clifton did just enough to edge out Wynberg 7-6.
The final was a different story, with ‘Bosch starting strongly and dominating the first half. At half-time, they led 4-0, courtesy of goals by Dante Moore, Kiaran Bennewith, and a brace from the dangerous Zack Labuschagne.
The second half was business as usual for the Cape side, despite Clifton showing fight, through Daniel Nothard and Nabil Bejia, up front.
Rondebosch scored their fifth through Jason Warneke before Ryan Lawlor made it six. Two goals in quick succession from Lincoln Burger and Mitchel Rodgers sparked Clifton back to life, giving them hope of staging a late comeback in the fourth chukka.
It was the local side that finished strongly, however, with four more goals in the quarter. The influential Noah Reiback finally got onto the scoresheet before Lawlor, and Warneke completed their doubles to extend the ‘Bosch advantage to 9-2 with two minutes to play.
Luke Jeffrey put the final nail in the coffin in the dying seconds of the match to deliver his side to an emphatic 10-2 win in front of their home supporters.
In the third/fourth play-off match between Bishops and Wynberg, it was Bishops who reigned supreme, scoring a 10-5 win to take home bronze.
Final Standings
Rondebosch Boys’ High
Clifton College
Bishops Diocesan College
Wynberg Boys’ High
Hilton College
Kearsney College
Paul Roos
Grey High
Reddam Constantia
SACS
Affies
St Andrew’s College
St Stithians College
St John’s College
Glenwood House
St David’s Marist Inanda
Paarl Boys’ High
Pretoria Boys’ High
Cape Town Invitational
St Alban’s College
Jeppe High School for Boys
Maritzburg College
Grey College
Wynberg u15 squad
