28 October 2024
The Kearsney College 1st water polo team’s magical run of form continued at the St Stithians Invitational Water Polo Tournament, where coach Nick Rodda‘s boys battled an elite 20-team field for the prestigious title, which ended with them lifting the winner’s trophy on Sunday.
Marlowe Bloem filed this report:
St. Stithians hosted the 30th edition of the Saints Water Polo Invitational Tournament from Thursday to Sunday, with SACS, the three-time defending champions attempting a fourth win in succession. However, when the final of a thrilling event rolled around on Sunday afternoon, it was Kearsney College taking on Bishops, the favourites, for the title. Neither had won it previously.
To reach the final, Kearsney had to, firstly, negotiate what was arguably the toughest of the four groups. They emerged from it unscathed, nonetheless, scoring wins over SACS, Hilton College, Pretoria Boys High, and Jeppe High School for Boys. Hilton, also, beat SACS to secure second spot.
Bishops, meanwhile, ran roughshod through their group, scoring 57 goals while conceding only 18 in wins over St John’s, King Edward VII (KES), Michaelhouse, and Pearson High. Those 57 goals were 20 more than any other side netted in the group stage.
Then, in the playoffs, Kearsney handed St Andrew’s College an 11-9 defeat in the quarterfinals, which they followed with a narrow 8-7 win over St John’s.
Bishops ousted SACS in the quarterfinals, scoring a 14-10 victory. In the semifinals, they edged out Hilton 7-6.
A stayers’ tournament, the Saints Invitational brings together the best of the best from around South Africa. In the final, it was Bishops, representing Western Province, whose schools have dominated in recent seasons, against Kearsney, representing the always competitive KZN region. A big collision was on the cards.
Coach Jabulani Sibiya‘s Bishops’ side got off to a great start. They enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the early going and went 3-1 up.
However, Kearsney has been lethal on the counterattack this season. It seems as if for every touch their hole gets, they add another score to their tally and they fought back well after falling behind. Ultimately, though, a Bishops’ penalty was the only thing that separated the teams at the break.
First-quarter score: 4-3 in favour of the White Caps.
The Greyhound’s Luca Sandri, Kearsney’s Head of School for 2025, executed a classic example of their counterattacking play to notch Kearney’s fourth goal.
After regaining possession in their own half, each Kearsney player swam along their own uniquely made paths, carving out space between opposition lines. The ball was quickly passed into these spaces. That led to Sandri receiving the ball with only the keeper to beat, which he duly did.
Still, Bishops continued to make waves in the midfield, with their drivers consistently securing possession. The Capetonians’ passing was a joy to watch. For their sixth goal, they put together a dizzying web of passes to draw the Greyhound defenders apart before burying the ball in the back of the net.
Second-quarter score: 8-6 in favour of Bishops.
In the third chukka, Kearsney struck first when Oliver Ludwig converted a penalty into the bottom right corner. Bishops quickly retaliated, to restore their two-goal lead with a floated lob over the ‘keeper.
Third-quarter score: 11-10 in favour of the Capetonians.
There was everything to play for as the final quarter dawned. Like all great sides and oceanic beasts, Kearsney was most lethal in the depths.
The Greyhounds pressured Bishops with speedy passing and precise positioning. As a result, the Bishops’ defenders found themselves committing a few late challenges. One of those, near their own goal, resulted in a Kearsney penalty. Levi Thom sent the goalie the wrong way to level the scores for the Botha’s Hill boys.
Clearly, Kearsney’s exceptional conditioning was a huge asset, and it aided them when they needed to be at their best. A stunning six more goals followed, drowning out Bishops’ impressive final three goals.
Final score: 17-14 in favour of Kearsney; the tournament winners!
One of the most impressive aspects of Kearsney’s victory was how they didn’t rely on one or two players to do the scoring. It was spread around, with multiple players scoring twice or more.
Credit must be given to Bishops and many of the other contenders. South African schoolboys’ water polo is packed sardine-tight with competition, which is a good omen for the progress of the sport.
Sunday’s win secured Kearsney their second title of the season. Coach Nick Rodda’s charges also lifted the KZN Top 10 title earlier in the month, with Kearsney also claiming the overall title.
Now, they’ve proven themselves on the national stage. They’re one of the country’s best teams, maybe even the best, beyond a shadow of doubt. With Hilton College and Clifton College nipping at their heels, and teams like their fellow Saints Invitational competitors, DHS and Michaelhouse, on an upward trajectory, along with Westville and Northwood, the state of water polo in KZN is very healthy.
Compare the KZN results to last year’s at the Saints Invitational: In 2023, Hilton placed ninth, beating Michaelhouse 9-6 in their last outing, which left ‘House in tenth, while Clifton finished eighth after losing out to Bishops in a penalty shootout.
In 2024, it was Kearsney first, Hilton fourth, DHS 11th and Michaelhouse 13th. That’s progress!
RESULTS
Group A
St Andrew’s College 7-6 Grey High
Rondebosch 10-2 Affies
Grey High 6-8 DHS
St Andrew’s College 6-4 Affies
Rondebosch 9-4 DHS
Affies 5-6 DHS
Rondebosch 8-2 Grey High
St Andrew’s College 6-4 DHS
Affies 7-7 Grey High
St Andrew’s College 9-10 Rondebosch
Group B
St John’s 11-6 KES
Bishops 14-6 Michaelhouse
KES 10-4 Pearson
St John’s 6-5 Michaelhouse
Bishops 18-1 Pearson
Michaelhouse 8-3 Pearson
Bishops 16-5 KES
St John’s 12-4 Pearson
Michaelhouse 8-10 KES
St John’s 6-9 Bishops
Group C
SACS 13-10 Jeppe
Kearsney 7-5 Hilton
Jeppe 12-5 Pretoria Boys High
SACS 6-7 Hilton
Kearsney 6-3 Pretoria Boys High
Hilton 12-5 Pretoria Boys High
Kearsney 11-8 Jeppe
SACS 12-4 Pretoria Boys High
Hilton 10-8 Jeppe
SACS 8-10 Kearsney
Group D
St David’s 10-8 St Alban’s
St Stithians 16-3 Grey College
St Alban’s 6-7 Reddam Constantia
St David’s 11-5 Grey College
St Stithians 9-2 Reddam Constantia
Grey College 4-15 Reddam Constantia
St Stithians 9-4 St Alban’s
St David’s 8-6 Reddam Constantia
Grey College 6-4 St Alban’s College
St Stithians 3-5 St David’s
Playoffs 5-12
St Andrew’s College 8-5 KES
St John’s 10-7 DHS
Hilton 12-11 Reddam Constantia
St Stithians 4-5 SACS
Playoffs 13-20
Affies 4-9 Michaelhouse
Grey High 9-4 Pearson
Pretoria Boys High 10-9 Grey College
Jeppe 12-2 St Alban’s
Quarterfinals
Rondebosch 7-10 Hilton
SACS 10-14 Bishops
St Andrew’s College 9-11 Kearsney
St David’s 2-6 St John’s
Playoffs 17-20
Affies 13-3 Grey College
Pearson 4-3 St Alban’s
Playoffs 9-12
Reddam Constantia 6-12 KES
St Stithians 4-3 DHS
Playoffs 13-16
Pretoria Boys High 4-13 Michaelhouse
Grey High 4-14 Jeppe
Semi-finals
Bishops 7-6 Hilton
St John’s 7-8 Kearsney
Playoffs 5-8
SACS 6-3 Rondebosch
St David’s 9-6 St Andrew’s College
Final Placings
19/20: Grey College 7-8 St Alban’s
17/18: Affies 10-1 Pearson
15/16: Pretoria Boys High 5-2 Grey High
13/14: Michaelhouse 9-6 Jeppe
11/12: Reddam Constantia 6-11 DHS
9/10: KES 3-5 St Stithians
7/8: St Andrew’s College 4-12 Rondebosch
5/6: St David’s 7-3 SACS
3/4: St John’s 6-5 Hilton
1/2: Kearsney 17-14 Bishops
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