The Jr. Water Polo Team competed in the Junior South Island Water Polo Tournament held in Christchurch from Friday to Sunday.

The first game was against Marlborough Boys' College and the boys were a bit rusty as this was the first time they had all played together. King’s were ahead at half time 6-3 but in the second half Marlborough Boys' College made a charge and clawed back. In the end, King’s came away with a win 9-8. Due to lack of pool space, there was only one game on Friday so it gave the team a chance to rest and settle in. 

On Saturday they had three games. The first was against Burnside High School who have the U16 NZ Goalie. The boys went into the game knowing it would be a tight, tough game. King’s drew first blood with a quick goal putting them up one - nil. Near the end of the first quarter, Kale Twist scored a corner goal to put King’s up 2 - nil but a controversial call by the referee meant the goal was disallowed. The game was a continual back and forth battle and in the end the boys went down 7 - 11. 

The next game was against St. Bede’s College which is the top team in the South Island. It was hard fought with some fantastic goals by the boys, however, St. Bede’s College were just too strong and the boys lost 5 - 15. This meant that we played off for 5th - 8th. 

The next game was against Otago Boys' High School. In the Dunedin competition the week before, Otago Boys' High School had come out on top by one point. On this day, the boys were ready and determined to take the win. King’s started out very strong and made their mark. At the end of the first quarter the boys were up 7 - 0 with one of the goals scored by the goal keeper Nik Dohig who threw from one end to the other, right on the buzzer. King’s continued to put the pressure on and at half time, they were up 12 - 3. In the end, King’s won 16 - 7. It was a great team win. This put the boys in a game for 5th and 6th against Marlborough Boys' College on Sunday. They ensured they ate well, hydrated and got plenty of sleep. 

The boys went into the game with confidence but respect for the opposition. At the end of the first quarter, they were up 5 - 0. They continued the pressure throughout the game and played well as a team coming away with a 15 - 5 win over Marlborough Boys' College and 5th place. 

Kale Twist was named in the tournament team at the prize giving. It was fantastic to see the team grow in confidence throughout the tournament and come together as a team. We thank Eric Munro, our Coach for all the time he has put into the boys. Thanks also to Tony Twist who helped out driving, taking photos and supporting everyone. 

Dunedin Water Polo Competition

Last Friday was the final of the Dunedin Water Polo Competition. The King’s Oxford Team played off for 3rd and 4th against Otago Boys' High School 1st's. Unfortunately, not all players were available and they only had 7 players after bringing up one of the junior players who wasn’t at the tournament. They ended up losing 13  - 1, to place 4th. This is a team with amazing determination who have improved immensely throughout the year. 

The Lions 1st's played John McGlashan College for 1st and 2nd. This was set to be a battle as John McGlashan College had not beaten King’s throughout the year but had come close. With the Lion’s missing three players who were at the Jr. Tournament, a couple of players came in from the Oxford Team. The first goal was scored by Jacob Jopson to get the Lions on the board. It was a back and forth battle and going into the 4th quarter the score was tied 3 all. At the final whistle, King’s came away with the win 9 - 3 and the last goal was scored by Cameron Innes, which is fitting as he will be leaving the team after many years of service.