Giant-killers, Hudson Park, to meet St Anne’s in Brian Baker final
Hudson Park High pulled off an incredible feat at Kingswood College on Saturday when they downed the favourites, Herschel, in a thrilling Brian Baker Water Polo Tournament semi-final tie that had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
Coach David Carter‘s side, who are making a maiden appearance in the final, outlasted the two-time defending champions to set up a title game against St Anne’s Diocesan College.
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Hudson Park made their intentions clear when they took an early 1-0 lead in the first chukka against Herschel. The Capetonians had set their sights on a third straight title, and they showed their pedigree by opening up a 3-2 lead in the second quarter.
Hudson was undaunted, however. “After winning the Woodridge Stayers last year, we were confident about our abilities coming into this tournament, where we have been tested by extremely tough opponents,” Carter told SuperSport Schools Plus.
On their way to the semi-finals, Hudson Park had pulled off two upsets, downing Reddam House Constantia 8-7 in a group stage match before squeezing by Durban Girls’ College 7-6 in the quarterfinals.
The key to those victories was their ability to hold onto the lead once they hit the front. That is what they tried to do against Herschel. In the third chukka, the ladies from East London overhauled Herschel, edging in front 4-3.
“The girls have been very solid all tournament – defensively super strong, great teamwork all around, a superstar goalkeeper, and two captains, who have been leading the team from the back and front,” Carter said.
Herschel fought back, launching wave upon wave of attacks, which Hudson Park did their best to repel. However, when the final whistle blew on regulation time, the contest was knotted at 6-6, and it went to a penalty shootout. Hudson Park kept their nerve and, with outstanding work from goalkeeper Caylin McKenzie, came away with a 3-2 win and a place in the final.
They’ll face a familiar foe for the title. They previously met St Anne’s in a Pool C match, with the KwaZulu-Natalians coming away with a comfortable 6-3 win.
Coach Cameron Wiid‘s team was made to dig deep for their place in the final. He explained: “We played Reddam Constantia twice. We beat them by one in the group, and we won by two in the semis.
“There’s a big myth in water polo circles that says that it’s very difficult to beat the same team twice. So, getting the job done over Constantia was a huge, huge mindset shift for our team and for our girls. I’m hoping that tomorrow we can do the same thing against Hudson Park.”
St Anne’s, who breezed through their group assignments unbeaten, were pushed to the limit by Clarendon in the quarterfinals. Their clash ended 9-9 after regulation time before St Anne’s clinched a 3-2 win in the penalty shootout.
Next, they faced a defensively sound Reddam House Constantia in the semifinals, resulting in one of the lowest scoring matches of the tournament.
Inez Letschert, who has been a reliable scorer for St Anne’s, fired in an important two goals before Jessica Bosman and Maggy Matthews added a goal each in their 4-2 win.
St Anne’s is the only unbeaten side in the tournament ahead of their title showdown against Hudson Park. They’ll lean on the lessons learned that have driven their success in the final. Hudson Park, meanwhile, will aim to continue their giant-killing act.
“I’m expecting a cracker of a final. We’re very excited about tomorrow, and I hope that the girls get some rest tonight. I’m sure it will be a good final for Brian Baker,” said Wiid.
The sides will lock horns at 12:10 on Sunday. It should be a humdinger of a contest.
RESULTS
Semi finals
Reddam Constantia 2 (Isabella Batistich, Lauren Helm). St Anne’s 4 (Inez Letschert 2, Jessica Bosman, Maggy Matthews).
Hudson Park (3) 6 (Kara Batting 4, Abby Batting, Kayden Glasgow). Herschel (2) 6 (Charlotte Wiltshire 2, Jessica Bosch 2, Tess Anderson, Holly Deneys).
Quarterfinals
St Stithians (6) 4 (Hannah van Heerden, Cadha Mosehla, Taylor Dukes, Danielle Sassenburg). Reddam Constantia (7) 4 (Taylor Helm 2, Summer-Lee Wain, Eva Hacking, Lauren Helm, Joy Waller).
Durban Girls’ College 6 (Lara Nel 3, Jazlyn Moolman 2, Leah Kent). Hudson Park 7 (Kara Batting 5, Kayden Glasgow 2).
Herschel 9 (Jemma Pearse 2, Jessica Bosch 2, Nina Wides, Sophie Maurel, Samantha Miller, Anna Sherren, Ruby Lumb). Roedean 7 (Ané du Plessis 2, Esmé du Plessis 2, Ambrin McEwan 2, Gabriella Morrell).
St Anne’s (3) 9 (Jessica Bosman 3, Hannah Savage 2, Inez Letschert 2, Maggy Matthews, Farrann Elliot). Clarendon (2) 9 (Quinn Carr 2, Kate van Biljon 2, Megan Phillips 2, Jenna Botha 2, Holley Jacoby).
Playoffs (5-8)
St Stithians 11 (Cadha Mosehla 4, June Stander 4, Riley Burger, Taylor Dukes, Anna Springer). Clarendon 5 (Jenna Botha 2, Kate van Biljon, Holley Jacoby, Jodi Carr).
Durban Girls’ College 5 (Leah Kent 2, Bailey Bartlett, Jazlyn Moolman, Riley Coetzee). Roedean 7 (Gabriella Morrell 6, Esmé du Plessis).
Playoffs (9-12)
DSG Makhanda 4 (Carys Johnstone 2, Alexandra Ovendale, Alexandra Miller). Glenwood House 7 (Rosslyn Squair 3, Mia Gibson 3, Mela Loubser).
Kingswood 6 (Lucy Nagel 3, Casey Williamson, Lily-Mae Craig, Kate Wilson). Reddam Bedfordview 8 (Caitlin Scrimgeour 4, Jessica Boamgard 2, Gemma Caminsky 2).
Play-offs (13-20)
St Dominic’s 6 (Emma Davies 3, Gabriella Douglas, Emma Harmzen, Elia van Wyk). Pearson 14 (Danica Smith 6, Kayla-Linke Seyffert 2, Olivia Attwell 2, Milan Janse van Rensburg, Lomso Philip, Sarah Whitehead).
Stirling 4 (Nicola Schwartz 3, Jordan van Eek). St Mary’s Waverley 7 (Jenna Blaauw 2, Lily Barlow 2, Kathryn Thorburn, Megan Crossley, Reabiloe Kodisang).
St Dominic’s 4 (Emma Harmzen 3, Chiara Kriel). Rhenish 3 (Charlotte Joubert, Emily van Selm, Bailey Black).
Stirling 13 (Katie Pickering 5, Caitlyn Mthembu, Cyan van den Berg, Nicola Schwartz, Abigail Tesmer, Jordan van Eek, Zoey Dalldorf, Jorja Linke, Rebecca Schenk). Alexander Road 1 (Bailey Howard).
St Mary’s Waverley 9 (Georgia van der Walt 3, Jenna Blaauw 2, Kathryn Thorburn, Megan Crossley, Nicola Faber, Lily Barlow). Woodridge 1 (Milla Aylesbury).
Pearson 7 (Olivia Attwell 3, Kayla-Linke Seyffert, Danica Smith, Caitlyn Gemmill, Sarah Whitehead). Collegiate 1 (Jamie Brown).
Playoffs (17-20)
Alexander Road 3 (Bailey Howard, Jenna Charles, Kaysen Francis). Woodridge 18 (Georgina Bain 5, Hannah de Necker 3, Bailey 2, Madison Badenhorst 2, Milla Aylesbury 2, Caitlyn van Jaarsveld, Rebecca Stottelaar, Sasha Stottelaar, Ava Pledger).
Rhenish 2 (Emily van Selm). Collegiate 8 (Charlotte van Bochove 2, Brigid Guest 2, Chloe Mae-Cheia, Emily de Witt, Alexis Fourie, Kate Brennan).
