Water Polo: Tauranga results mixed in tourneys

Ollie Ford, of Tauranga B, drives in action in the final of the under-14 second division water polo final against Hibiscus Bay at Baywave yesterday. Photo / George Novak

The Tauranga water polo community was left with conflicted feelings after a busy under-14 finals day around the country yesterday.

The Tauranga club's top under-14 boys' team lost 5-4 in a tight final to Marist in the Division One final in Wellington after the second side went one better at Baywave in the Division Two decider.

The girls didn't do so well, the first and second selections finishing in fourth place in the their respective divisions in playoffs in Mount Maunganui and Wellington.

Tauranga B were expected to be too strong at Baywave but a resolute Hibiscus Bay team gave them all they could handle.

The visitors controlled possession and territory for much of the contest, but it was the hosts' increased fitness and anticipation on the break that proved decisive.

Tauranga under-14 boys' coach Kent Fenneman was thrilled despite taking a traditional dip in the Baywave pool after his side's tense 6-5 final win.

"Right throughout the four days we've been the top two teams and had won by similar margins, so it was always going to be tight," he said.

"We've got that swim fitness and a bit of speed, which they lacked. A lot of it is game awareness. Some of my players will take off even though the other team's got possession because they know they are going to put in a pass or a shot that could lead to a turnover.

"That gives us the break and having a goalie like we do helps. Joe Faulkner, he'd be one of the best in the country."

Most of the players will move to under-16s next year, which should benefit from increased depth which saw the boys' C team finish third in Division Two.

Tauranga goalie Faulkner was named MVP in a tournament team that also included Reuben Ronalds (Tga B), Keegan Millington (Tga B), Loui Schhuler (Tga C) and Cullen Smith (Rotorua).

Rotorua's Hana Stubbing and Julia Florence were named in the girls' selection.

New Zealand Water Polo competitions manager Dana Harvey said the event, with more than 150 competitors from 21 teams, was confirmed for Baywave next year.

The number of entrants meant the tournament was spread across two pools and many players were exposed to more game play than they had experienced before.