DAY 3 | VIDES | Dominant Clifton edge out Paul Roos for the title

Clifton College will travel back to KwaZulu-Natal from the Eastern Cape with silverware following a 1-0 triumph from the penalty spot over Paul Roos Gymnasium after the teams finished the final of the Vides Water Polo Tournament level at 7-7 on Saturday.

The tournament, hosted by Selborne College in East London, culminated with a dramatic title-decider in which there was little to separate the finalists.

In their journey to the title game, Clifton was one of the standout teams, winning all of their pool matches before making it to the semi-finals after Grey High was disqualified for using an extended squad in their quarterfinal clash.

Coach Paul Martin’s side was deadly in front of goal, scoring 41 goals, while conceding only 10, in their three pool matches.

They went on to oust the hosts in a tough final four showdown. Clifton appeared to be cruising into the final when they built up an 8-4 lead, but Selborne came steaming back, eventually going down 7-8.

Paul Roos, on the other hand, went about their business quietly, but they were also sublime on both attack and defence.

They also started the final the brighter of the two sides and rushed into a 3-0 lead in the first chukka, courtesy of a brace by Migael Terblanche, and a solitary goal by Nicholaas van der Westhuizen.

Clifton came alive in the second chukka and levelled matters. Oliver Ditz, who alongside his team-mate Luc O’Brien ended the match with a hattrick, got the Durban boys back into the encounter, making it 3-3 at the break.

In the third quarter, Ditz struck twice, and Ethan Lyne then stretched the lead to 6-3.

Vaughn Marlow’s troops entered the final quarter trailing by two goal (4-6) after Oliver Perch pulled one back for the Stellenbosch team.

The final chukka was thrilling with both sides taking it to each other.

Luc O’Brien completed his hattrick for Clifton, while Paul Roos drew level at 7-7, thanks to Milan and Nicolaas van der Westhuizen.

When the final whistle sounded, the contest headed into a shootout.

First up, Nick Ward, pulled off a save for Paul Roos, but Ross Strauss did the same for Clifton. Then, PRG substituted Ward with Adam Lawrence, and he, too, kept Clifton out. Strauss, with a little help from his right-hand post, kept it all square, however.

Then, Oliver Ditz scored from the spot. With the pressure on, the next Paul Roos shot flew wide of the mark and Clifton had claimed their first title of the season.

Ditz and his team-mates Luc O’Brien, Ross Strauss and Nathan Burger, were named in the Team of the Tournament, with Ditz also being recognised as the Player of the Tournament.

In other matches on the final day, Selborne College claimed the bronze medal, winning by three goals against Reddam House Constantia in the third/fourth play-off match.

There were also wins for St David’s Marist Inanda against St Alban’s College, and for Wynberg Boys High, who beat Grey College 8-4 in the plate final.

East London’s Stirling High avoided last place by claiming a 9-4 win over Pearson, and Gqeberha’s Grey High got one past Makhanda’s St Andrew’s College, taking a 7-6 win to claim seventh spot.

Scorers in the final

Paul Roos Gymnasium: Nicholaas van der Westhuizen (x2), Migael Terblanche (x3), Oliver Perch, Milan van der Westhuizen. Clifton College: Oliver Ditz (x3), Luc O’Brien (x3), Ethan Lyne.

Results: Day 3

@ Selborne College

St Alban’s College 8-7 Grey High
St David’s 9-6 St Andrew’s College
Clifton College 8-7 Selborne College
Paul Roos 11-5 Reddam House
Stirling High 9-4 Pearson High School
Woodridge College 9-6 Grey High 2^nd
Glenwood House 7-6 Collegians
Wynberg Boys High 8-4 Grey College
Grey High 7-6 St Andrew’s College
St David’s Marist Inanda 9-5 St Alban’s College
Selborne College 8-5 Reddam House Constantia
Clifton College 7(1)-7(0) Paul Roos Gymnasium

@ Clarendon High School

Grey High 2^nd 6-4 Stirling High
Woodridge College 6-3 Pearson
Wynberg Boys High 8-3 Glenwood House
Grey College 7-4 Selborne Collegians

Full standings

Clifton College
Paul Roos Gymnasium
Selborne College
Reddam House Constantia
St David’s Marist Inanda
St Alban’s College
Grey High
St Andrew’s College
Wynberg Boys’ High
Grey College
Glenwood House
Selborne Collegians
Woodridge College
Grey High 2^nd
Stirling High
Pearson High School

• About
• Latest Posts

Avuyile Sawula

Avuyile Sawula is a multimedia sports journalist, broadcaster, and writer. He possesses a journalism qualification from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. During his time in the media industry, he has worked for various online media publications covering a variety of sporting codes. He also has a broadcasting background having worked as a news journalist at one of Cape Town’s commercial radio stations. His reporting beats include hockey, rugby, water polo, and cricket. Apart from writing, he has a knack for creating sports content, and video editing.

Latest posts by Avuyile Sawula (see all)

• SAC Shield: Bishops and Rondebosch unbeaten, St Stithians and Selborne impress - 2025-01-24
• High scoring on the opening day of the SAC Shield - 2025-01-23
• Top teams to contest the SAC Shield - 2025-01-22