Big guns on song on opening day of Saints Invitational
If there were any doubts about the quality of the stayers’ teams on show at the St Stithians College Water Polo Invitational Tournament, those were quickly dispelled on Thursday, day one of the tournament in Johannesburg.
The much-anticipated event, which runs until Sunday, 18 October, delivered some outstanding goals and individual performances, with some of the ballyhooed teams making their presence felt.
A whopping 323 goals were scored, with only nine teams out of 20 ending the day with their unbeaten records intact.
All matches are LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
The action began bright and early with a Pool A clash between Bishops Diocesan College and Michaelhouse. Bishops, after a steady start, ran rampant in the second half and thumped their opponents 14-3.
The Jabulani Sibiya-coached side later overwhelmed King Edward VII (KES) 17-3 in their second game to occupy top spot overnight.
Joining them on maximum points was their provincial rival, Rondebosch Boys’ High, who were almost as dominant.
Led by the powerful and skilful Noah Reiback, the Cape side scored 12 against KES before thumping Pearson High 15-2 later in the day.
After their early loss, Michaelhouse made a tick in the win column after outscoring Pearson 12-2.
Pool B features two giants of schoolboy water polo, St John’s College and SACS, and thus far, it’s been an arm-wrestle between the two for the top spot in the group.
St John’s had their confidence boosted ahead of the tournament by winning the SACS Water Polo Tournament a week ago, and coach Jon-Marc De Carvalho’s outfit went about their business quietly but effectively, beating Jeppe High School for Boys 8-4 before upping the ante against Durban High School (DHS), whom they defeated 14-4.
SACS, meanwhile, dominated St Benedict’s College and shrugged off the challenge of DHS in the final game of the day.
A key showdown awaits on Friday, with St John’s and SACS meeting at 16:10.
In Pool C, the goals flowed, with a mind-boggling 82 being scored, including 21 each by Hilton College and St David’s Marist Inanda.
Those sides are undeniably the favourites to progress from the group, and both made big statements.
Hilton scored a clear-cut 13-5 win over Pretoria Boys High before holding off Cape Town’s Reddam House Constantia 8-6 later on.
St David’s, meanwhile, beat Reddam 11-7 before outplaying the newcomers, Woodridge College, in their final match of the day.
Under the guidance of coach Dean Whyte, St David’s are no longer underdogs, and the teams they’re up against will be wary of the threat the Sandton school poses.
Many teams will also be keeping an eye on the defending champions, Kearsney College, who flew under the radar before the tournament.
Coach Nick Rodda’s side last played tournament polo at the Clifton Water Polo Tournament.
They kicked off their title defence on a positive note, beating the Eastern Cape duo of Grey High 12-8 and St Andrew’s College 8-5.
Some might suggest that the Botha’s Hill boys weren’t fully extended on the opening day, but they’re sure to be put to the test when they tackle the hosts, St Stithians, on Friday.
Speaking of Saints, they picked up a win against St Andrew’s before playing out an entertaining 7-7 draw with Affies.
Their clash with Kearsney happens at 16:10 on Friday in the main pool.
RESULTS
Thursday, 16 October
Pool A
Bishops 14-3 Michaelhouse
Rondebosch 12-3 KES
Michaelhouse 12-2 Pearson High
Bishops 17-3 KES
Rondebosch 15-2 Pearson High
Pool B
St John’s College 8-4 Jeppe
Jeppe 10-8 St Benedict’s College
St John’s College 14-4 DHS
SACS 16-7 St Benedict’s College
SACS 12-7 DHS
Pool C
Hilton College 13-5 Pretoria Boys High
St David’s 11-7 Reddam House
Pretoria Boys High 8-10 Woodridge
Hilton College 8-6 Reddam House
St David’s 10-4 Woodridge
Pool D
Kearsney 12-8 Grey High
St Stithians 4-3 St Andrew’s College
Grey High 5-9 Affies
Kearsney 8-5 St Andrew’s College
St Stithians 7-7 Affies
FIXTURES
Friday, 17 October
Pool A
07:00 – KES vs Pearson High
08:40 – Rondebosch vs Michaelhouse
11:10 – Pearson High vs Bishops
13:40 – Michaelhouse vs KES
15:20 – Rondebosch vs Bishops
Pool B
07:00 – DHS vs St Benedict’s College
09:30 – SACS vs Jeppe
11:10 – St John’s College vs St Benedict’s College
13:40 – Jeppe vs DHS
16:10 – St John’s College vs SACS
Pool C
07:00 – Reddam House vs Woodridge
09:30 – St David’s vs Pretoria Boys High
12:00 – Woodridge vs Hilton College
13:40 – Pretoria Boys High vs Reddam House
16:10 – Hilton College vs St David’s
Pool D
07:50 – St Andrew’s College vs Affies
09:30 – St Stithians vs Grey High
12:00 – Affies vs Kearsney
14:30 – Grey High vs St Andrew’s College
16:10 – St Stithians vs Kearsney
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