Our Water Polo team travelled to Hamilton with the aim of gaining experience and to see where we stood outside of the South Island.

Being a young team with four junior players and three year 11’s, it was always going to be tough. Our senior players lead from the front and all the players developed over the week.

Pool play proved to be tough with three strong teams placed together. A close loss on the first day, where we were unable to shut down some long shots from St Cuthbert’s, saw the team lose by one goal. It was a game that we felt we had done enough to win but ultimately cost us a place in the top 8. The second pool game was all about goal difference against a weaker opposition with the team winning 30-3, and the final game was against a physical and strong Mount Maunganui team. In the final pool game, we were outplayed early on although the level of fouling and heavy contacts made the game a free for all. In the 3rd quarter the girls started to come back and closed the gap. After being down by 7 goals, we were only 4 behind and had some momentum. The final quarter was again close, and in our favour, but not by enough to win.

This placed the team in the playoffs for 9-12. The next four games showed that we were stronger than this, with CGHS winning by around 10 goals each game. It showed that South Island water polo is on the improve and better than what the North Island teams give us credit for! During the tournament, the team scored 93 goals in 7 games, with 39 against.

The final result was 9th placing, with the team winners of the plate. Well done team!

Thank you to the team management, Violette Perry (Assistant coach), Vanessa Irvine (manager) and Dave Bone (coach). Dave has put many hours into our team this year, starting in the Christmas break, and this has been hugely appreciated by the players.