Top performers recognised at the Vides Water Polo Tournament
The 48th edition of the Vides Water Polo Tournament, hosted by Selborne College in East London over the weekend, concluded with Clifton College downing Paul Roos Gymnasium in a tense penalty shootout to claim their first piece of silverware in 2024.
Both entered the title-decider unbeaten after dominating runs through their pools. Together, they scored a combined 86 goals in pool games, while conceding less than 30, heading into the playoffs.
There was also very little to separate the sides in the final with the game ending at 7-7 after four chukkas. Oliver Ditz’s penalty goal then proved to be the difference during the penalty shoot-out after Paul Roos missed two shots from the spot.
The excellent showing of both sides was reflected in the Team of the Tournament, which was announced after the final.
Both had four players named in the side, with Clifton’s skipper, Oliver Ditz headlining the team after also being named the Player of the Tournament.
He was joined in the squad by his goalkeeper, Ross Strauss, Nathan Burger, and Luc O’Brien, who matched Ditz by scoring a hattrick in the final.
Paul Roos goalkeeper Nicholas Ward was included in the 15-player lineup, alongside his teammates, Adam October, and the prolific goal scorers, Migael Terblanche, and Arkin Marias.
Selborne College had three of their standouts named in the team. They finished third and Liam Hansen, Sam van de Venter, and Dominic Stegman all cracked the nod.
Fourth place finishers, Reddam House Constantia had Jethro Montague-Fryer and one of the Brown brothers, Adam, included. Meanwhile, Jack Brady, from St David’s Marist Inanda, and Benjamin Melville, from St Alban’s College, were also recognised.
In the special awards category, Nicholas Ward scooped up the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Meanwhile, the Best Attacker Award was given to Liam Hansen, and the Best Defender went to Migael Terblanche, with Oliver Ditz claiming the Player of the Tournament.
Team of the Tournament
Liam Hansen (Selborne College), Arkin Marias (Paul Roos), Benjamin Melville (St Alban’s College), Migael Terblanche (Paul Roos), Jethro Montague-Fryer (Reddam House Constantia), Ross Strauss (Clifton College), Luc O’Brein (Clifton College), Dominic Stegman (Selborne College), Oliver Ditz (Clifton College), Nathan Burger (Clifton College), Nicholas Ward (Paul Roos), Jack Brady (St David’s Marist Inanda), Adam Brown (Reddam House Constantia), Sam van de Venter (Selborne College).
