St Stithians crowned St Alban’s Beach Water Polo champs
St Stithians College was crowned the winner of the St Alban’s Beach Water Polo Festival on Sunday after a flawless campaign that showcased both class and consistency.
Saints, in Pool B, showed their intent from their opening outing, dominating their opposition to complete the group stage with the maximum 18 points from six wins.
In the final, they faced St David’s Marist Inanda, whom they had earlier beaten 7-4 before the cross-pool playoffs.
The second time around, St Stithians turned it on, powering their way to a 15-8 victory in front of an energetic crowd. St David’s, who had upset the Pool A winner, St John’s College, in the semi-finals, had to settle for the silver medal.
In the seventh-place playoff, King Edward VII School (KES) edged out the hosts St Alban’s College 10–9 in a thrilling encounter, while the depth of the game at St John’s was on show when their second team beat St Benedict’s College 11–8 to take ninth spot.
Cross-pool Playoffs
CBC Bulawayo 11-13 St Benedict’s
KES 4-6 Jeppe
St Alban’s 2-3 Pretoria Boys High
Semifinals
St John’s 8-11 St David’s
Affies 11-16 St Stithians
Playoffs
13/14: Parktown 6-13 St Alban’s 2nd team
11/12: St Peter’s 6-10 CBC Bulawayo
9/10: St John’s 2nd team 11-8 St Benedict’s
7/8: KES 10-9 St Alban’s
5/6: Jeppe 7-0 Pretoria Boys High
3/4: St John’s 14-7 Affies
1/2: St David’s 8-15 St Stithians
Final Standings
1. St Stithians College
2. St David’s Marist Inanda
3. St John’s College
4. Affies
5. Jeppe High School for Boys
6. Pretoria Boys High School
7. King Edward VII School
8. St Alban’s College
9. St John’s College 2nd team
10. St Benedict’s College
11. CBC Zimbabwe
12. St Peter’s College
13. St Alban’s College 2nd team
14. Parktown Boys’ High
