The women’s international water-polo tournament at the Joan Harrison complex in East London got off to a cracking start on Saturday, followed by more top-class action on Sunday.
Saturday saw a flurry of goals, with Russia showing just why they are tournament favourites, thrashing Sweden 35-7.
South Africa A netted 13 goals to nil in their game against South Africa B, while the South African Under-20 team fought hard but succumbed to Australia by 10 goals to two.
The A team continued their winning streak on Sunday by beating the South African Under-20 team 5-1, a result that did not ruffle too many feathers.
But Australia quivered in their caps as they took to the water against Russia later in the afternoon, going down 16-4.
Sweden, having lost so thoroughly to Russia the previous day, were back with a bang on Sunday and claimed a 9-4 victory over South Africa B, though the home side fought valiantly, creating many opportunities. Zelia Allison scored two of the four goals.
The coach of the South Africa B side, Ryan Castle, was content with his team’s performance.
‘Six of them are schoolgirls — they played really well if you take into account how young they are. They are relatively inexperienced but they’ve got a lot of passion,†he ensured.
As far as preparations go for Monday’s game against Russia, Castle summed them up in a single word: ‘Pray!â€.
In the men’s interprovincial tournament, which is running concurrently with the women’s international, the Eastern Province/Border team were convincingly outclassed by KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, and Western Province (WP) and South Africa Under-20 on Sunday. The team have scored 13 goals so far in the tournament and conceded a hefty 50.
Competition amongst the other teams is tight, with KwaZulu-Natal, WP, Central Gauteng and South Africa Under-20 so far being very closely matched.
Several senior national players are taking part in the tournament, ensuring the quality of the water polo being played is of a high standard. — Sapa
Monday’s games: Women: 9am: SA U20 v Sweden, 10.15am: SA B v Russia, 11.30am: SA A v Australia, 5.45pm: SA U20 v Russia, 7pm: SA B v Australia, 8.15pm: SA A v Sweden. Men: 4.45pm: Western Province v SA U20, 9.30pm: Central Gauteng v Kwazulu-Natal.