Aquinas water polo team, tournament coach Joe Bensley (back left), Charlie Wood, Daniel Dennehy, Cayne Dew, George Williams, Hamish Low, Patrick Low. Manager Rachel Dew (front left), Josef Schuler, Sam Wylie, Jim Burtenshaw, Tom Wilson, assistant coach Kellie Low. Photo / Supplied
The dream run has ended for Aquinas College after they went down to Auckland Grammar School 7-4 in the final of the New Zealand Premier Schoolboys' Championships on Tuesday in Wellington.
Aquinas assistant coach Kellie Low said it was a mighty effort from the boys over four days. "This is
the first time Aquinas has attended the premier schoolboys' competition, having opted for the division-two championships over the past two years," she said.
"Sam Wylie and George Williams played exceptionally well, with Cayne Dew taking out the MVP trophy for the entire tournament. An amazing team who have gained a lot of respect over the week and an invitation from NZ Water Polo to attend the Trans-Tasman series in December in Sydney."
After two wins against Wellington Regional and Kings College, and a loss to Auckland Grammar, Aquinas reached the quarter-finals against Rangitoto College, who they had lost to at last month's North Island champs.
"This proved to be Aquinas College team's best performance, winning 8-5 in emphatic style," said Low. "The semifinal against St Pat's Town, Wellington, was a nail biter. We were down by two goals with three minutes to play. The boys then scored three unanswered goals to take the lead but let one in moments before the hooter, which meant they would go to a penalty shootout. We won this 5-4 when goalkeeper Patrick Low deflected their final shot."
