Marlborough teams shine at South Island water polo cup

Both Marlborough college combinations showed enthusiasm, determination and resilience at the recent Year 9 and 10 South Island Water Polo Cup at Stadium 2000.

The Marlborough Boys’ College side, who have played together for some time, combined superbly to top their pool, then won a semifinal to reach the tournament final. There, they went down to a well-drilled Kings’ High School team 16-3.

Seb Russell, from MBC, was named among the top five male players at the event.

Although the Marlborough Girls’ College team finished sixth, they provided one of the talking points of the tournament.

A few months ago, it appeared MGC would not be represented. However, when feelers were put out to find girls keen for a new challenge, a group of athletes from various other codes stepped forward. With training from New Zealand reps Koko Wong and India Nathan, plus Libby Senior, they quickly gelled and made vast improvements as the tournament progressed.

The side had two regular players, Year 9s Cara Kuun and Katie Barnett, but the remainder were untried and quickly transferred their sporting skills to a new code.

Summing up their endeavour and improvement was the fact that the first time they played Cashmere High School they lost 13-3, while the second time they held them to 5-3.

Team co-manager Ank Mulder says, “The girls have really stepped up … learning new skills, improving incredibly well and having so much fun doing so.”

Final placings:
Boys: 1 Kings High School; 2 Marlborough Boys’ College; 3 Shirley Boys’ High School; 4 St Andrew’s College; 5 Burnside High School; 6 Christchurch Boys’ High School; 7 Christ’s College; 8 St Bede’s College; 9 Cashmere High School.
Girls: 1 Villa Maria College; 2 Rangi Ruru Girls’ School; 3 St Margaret’s College; 4 Christchurch Girls’ High School; 5 Cashmere High School; 6 Marlborough Girls’ College.