24 February 2020
DHS and Westville did battle in the water polo pool in Durban on Thursday, and after the splashing had subsided Westville had claimed the honours in clashes between the U14A, U15A, 2nd and 1st teams.
Leading up to the main game, DHS made Westville work hard in each of the contests, but each time the visitors managed to put together a decisive chukka to surge clear and take the victory.
In the U14A game, Westville finished strongly to record a 12-2 win. The contest was much more closely fought than the scoreline might suggest, but Westville broke it open in the finishing stages to romp to a convincing victory.
The U15A sides went blow for blow until the last chukka, when Westville scored three unanswered goals to break open a tight game before going on to a 9-4 win.
After Westville had opened a small early lead in the 2nd team showdown, DHS fought back to reduce the deficit to 2-3, but Westville, as their younger age-group teams had done, finished well to secure a 6-3 victory.
In the clash of the first teams, Westville started confidently, forcing DHS into numerous errors with some stifling in-your-face defence.
That, allied with strong play up front, saw the visitors roar out to a 4-1 lead after the 1st chukka.
It didn’t get better for DHS in the 2nd chukka either, as Westville looked sharp, tacking on a further four goals without response.
At 8-1 down at halftime, the clash looked done and dusted, and DHS looked as if they were on their way to a hiding, but credit to the home team – a side made up mostly of grade 10 boys, according to DHS Director of Sport Nathan Pillay – as they powered their way back into the contest after the break.
Working hard, they forced turnovers and then hit Westville with rapid counter attacks, which enabled the hosts to rip off four unanswered goals before the visitors were able to find a response.
It was 10-5 at the end of the 3rd chukka and when the teams shared the honours 2-2 in the final chukka it ended 12-7 to Westville. DHS outscored Westville 6-4 in the second half of their clash, but Westville’s dominant first half ensured they came away with the spoils.
Ultimately, it was a convincing Westville win, but DHS will take heart from a spirited showing after the break.
RESULTS
1st DHS 7-12 Westville
2nd DHS 3-6 Westville
U15A DHS 4-9 Westville
U14A DHS 2 -12 Westville
Leave a Reply