5 March 2024
Kearsney College‘s 1st and u15A water polo teams enjoyed a spectacular weekend, annexing the Reef Cup, played at St Stithians College, and the Indigo Cup, played at Parktown Boys’ High, respectively.
While the 1st team has delivered on the promise it showed in 2023, including a victory in the Stayers Tournament at the end of the year, the u15A side, competing in an elite field against 23 other schools, performed brilliantly.
They played nine matches at Parktown, winning eight of them and drawing the other. It was an astounding showing and, together with the outstanding results of the 1st team in 2024, marks Kearsney as, perhaps, the school that has enhanced its water polo reputation the most this year.
At the Indigo Cup, Kearsney beat Westville Boys’ High 4-1, St John’s College 4-2, St Benedict’s 7-2, and Affies 6-3, before being held to a 2-2 draw by Paul Roos. Then, they continued winning, defeating St Alban’s 5-1, Bishops 5-2, Clifton College 3-1, and Hilton 4-3, in the final.
They trailed 0-2 in the title-decider but fought their way back to claim gold.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Kearsney’s Clement Makalele was named the Defender of the Tournament.
The winning squad was Leo Brown, Robert Gelderman, Aston Grace, Clement Makelele, Ntsikelelo Makeleni, Reece York, Mcebisi Zulu, Max Mills, James Hollins, Blake Rencken, James Whatmore, Matthew Wilson and Tyler Wright.
Water polo in the u15 age group in KZN appears to be in a very healthy state, with KZN schools filling three of the top four positions – Kearsney (1st), Hilton (2nd) and Clifton (4th).
Among the other KZN sides in the 24-team field, Westville Boys’ High finished 11th, Michaelhouse 19th, and Durban High School 23rd. The hosts, Parktown, were the wooden spoonists.
FINAL STANDINGS
Kearsney College
Hilton College
Paul Roos Gymnasium
Clifton College
Rondebosch Boys’ High
SACS
Bishops
St Stithians
Reddam House Constantia
Selborne College
Westville Boys’ High
St Alban’s
St John’s College (Plate winners)
Affies
Pretoria Boys High
St Benedict’s College
KES
Jeppe High for Boys
Michaelhouse
Grey College
St David’s Marist Inanda
St Peter’s College
Durban High School
Parktown Boys High
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