FRIDAY evening saw the official and full return of summer sport after a somewhat depleted year.
Maritzburg College arrived at the Chad Le Clos Pool to take on the Westville Griffins in much anticipated fixtures from U14 through to the 1st team, playing under lights.
The U14A and U15B kicked off the fixtures with the boys having copious amounts of fun in the pool regardless of rustiness and results. Not a single face had anything but a smile. Westville won both games 11 – 3 and 10 -1 respectively.
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Jumping in the pool next, the WBHS U15A side followed suit of their other teams and pulled out a stellar performance to win 15-1.
As the rain came down, the 2nd sides took to the pool. Both sides showed some rust and lack of fitness and the final score was 5 – 5.
The 1st team boys had the run of the pool for the final game of the evening. WBHS opened up the scoring in the early stages of the game through SA U20 player, Blake Holmes.
The Olympic standard size pool slowed the game down but, with some clever rotations from the Westville 1st team coach, Brad Rowe, WBHS pulled through with well worked 11 – 2 win.
Westville won four out of five games, with one draw.
WBHS vs Northwood
A confident group of Westville Boys and coaches took to the pool against Northwood on Saturday morning after commanding the Friday night performances against rivals, Maritzburg College.
The WBHS 2nds were somewhat under self-imposed pressure after being the only team not to record a ‘W’ on the Friday night. The Northwood side played with exceptional structure and discipline but could unfortunately not convert their chances. The WBHS 2nd side coming out of a physical battle victorious winning 4 – 2.
A titanic battled then ensued. A somewhat lethargic WBHS 1st side took on a Northwood team who arrived with every intention to win. Northwood were hot out the blocks racing to a 0 – 3 lead at the end of the first chukka, with the Westville side unable to string a decent attack together, with the help of a seemingly impenetrable goalkeeping force in the Northwood goals.
The Westville team grinded their way through the last quarter and came out as the eventual winners, with a final score of 9-5, a great display of character and resilience to overcome a 0 – 3 1st chukka.
“A dominating weekend of Westville Water Polo leading up to the ever prestigious Clifton tournament this week. We at Westville wish all three schools from the weekend the best of luck for the tournament,” said WBHS head of aquatics, Jarred Appelgryn.
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