Gauteng u16s are Pool B’s top guns
Central Gauteng A catapulted to the summit of Pool B on the first day of action in the u16 boys’’ section of the 2024 Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament in Buffalo City on Sunday.
Coach Siyabonga Guzana‘s side arrived in Buffalo City determined to enjoy themselves, entertain the crowd, and push themselves to perform at their best. They achieved all three on Sunday. They cruised to a victory over Western Province B in their opener and then edged out the defending champions, KwaZulu Natal, by a single goal in their second outing.
In their morning encounter, Central Gauteng A roared to an emphatic 6-1 victory over Western Province B. Ryan Morley beat the Province goalie twice, while Craig Toet, Luke Shipway, Roan Wessels, and Danilo Guiricich added a single goal each. Rupert Robinson scored a consolation goal for Samuel Hanssen‘s side, but that did little to dent Gauteng’s confidence.
They were upbeat when they splashed into the pool to tackle KwaZulu Natal, one of the powerhouses of the sport. Coach Jason Sileno‘s talented team is one that some view as the favourites and, despite going down, they showed why those people feel that way, giving Central Gauteng as good as they got.
They pushed each other to the limit and were separated by only one goal after 11 had been scored at the end of play, with Guzana’s squeezing past KZN 6-5. Craig Toet and Danillo Guiricich led the scoring with a brace each, while Aiden Khoury and Ryan Morley struck, too. Thomas Francke scored two goals for KZN, while Garrick Phillips, Thomas Aylward, and Musawenkosi Mponda weighed in with a goal each.
Both units could have scored more goals had their respective defences been lax in their approach. Instead, KZN and Gauteng executed 10 blocks between them, with six of those belonging to Gauteng.
Sileno’s charges went into their match on the back of a spirited 13-8 win over Northerns A in which Aylward and Francke notched hat-tricks and Levi Thom scored a brace. There were further goals from Andrew Schnell, Taylor Seiler, Garrick Phillips, Oliver Ludwig, and Keegan Vogt. That victory over Northerns left KZN in second place in the group after the end of the day’s action.
Gauteng will play the first match of Pool B at 09:20 on Monday when they go up against Northerns A in an all-Gauteng clash. The Jukskei derby is expected to produce fireworks. However, the first encounter of the u16 boys’ section will feature Pool C stragglers Northerns B and Eden Districts at 07:30.
SCORES
Nelson Mandela Bay 7: Jed Paterson (2), Dane Paterson (2), Carter Rosser (1), Johan Moolman (1), Tiago Williams (1). Buffalo City 5: Daniel Woodin (3), Michael Russell (1), Nicholas du Toit (1).
KwaZulu Natal 13: Thomas Aylward (3), Thomas Francke (3), Levin Thom (2), Oliver Ludwig (1), Andrew Schnell (1), Taylor Seiler (1), Garrick Phillips (1), Keegan Vogt (1). Northerns A 8: Christiaan Truter (3), Ruan Engelbrecht (2), Ettienne van der Merwe (1), Joshua Bergh (1), Ben Swarts (1).
Zimbabwe 11: Blaise Scheepers (3), Patrick Duff (2), Bongani Dube (2), Tristan Harris (1), Daniel Oxden-Willows (1), Joshua Edwards (1), Tapfuma Taundi (1). Eden Districts 4: Luca Whitehead (3), Rorke Bubanj (1).
Western Province A 13: Benjamin Bigara (3), Matthew Fenn (3), James Malan (2), Timothy Young (2), Aiden Turrell (1), Alex Barrett (1), Caleb Harley (1). Central Gauteng B 4: Matthew Peacock (2), Gui-Nam Chen (1), Tegan Fisher (1).
Central Gauteng A 6: Ryan Morley (2), Craig Toet (1), Luke Shipway (1), Roan Wessels (1), Danilo Giuricich (1). Western Province B 1: Rupert Robinson (1).
Northerns B 1: Stephan van Tonder (1). Eastern Gauteng 16: Luke Laporte (6), Connor Cockroft (4), Matthew Craukamp (2), Daelan Brijmohun (1), Campbell Hustler (1), Daniel Rheeder (1), Samkelo Maphaphu (1).
Nelson Mandela Bay 11: Carter Rosser (3), Taye Colesky (2), Christian Chandler (2), Stefan Polderman (2), Dane Paterson (1), Adam Ball (1). Central Gauteng B 1: Brayden Macfie (1).
KwaZulu Natal 5: Thomas Francke (2), Musawenkosi Mponda (1), Garrick Phillips (1), Thomas Aylward (1). Central Gauteng A 6: Craig Toet (2), Danilo Guiricich (2), Ryan Morley (1), Aiden Khoury (1).
Zimbabwe 14: Blaise Scheepers (5), Nicholas Roukounis (2), Tapfuma Taundi (2), Troy Reed (1), Joshua Edwards (1), Liam Chicksen (1), Bongani Dube (1), Tristan Harris (1). Eastern Gauteng 1: Connor Cockroft (1).
Western Province A 17: Matthew Fenn (6), Benjamin Bigara (4), James Malan (3), Alex Barrett (1), Connor Mortlock (1), James Pinnock (1), Andrew Reynolds (1). Buffalo City 2: Cullen Mortlock (1), Daniel Woodin (1).
Western Province B 5: Cole Abrahams (2), Ross Prinsloo (1), Christopher McLagan (1), Rupert Robinson (1). Northerns A 9: Ettienne van der Merwe (3), Oliver Oberholzer (1), Caleb Bowden (1), joshua Bergh (1), Liam Joao-Palm (1), Adran Robinson (1), Siwon Lee (1).
