Tauranga Boys' College needed the shot-saving skills of Christian O'Neill and the arm of Mitch Gregory to survive a sudden-death semifinal before taking out the inaugural Challenge Cup water polo tournament for junior secondary school teams at Mt Maunganui's Baywave.
Thirteen teams were involved in the tournament from Tauranga, Rotorua, Waikato
and Auckland, with Tauranga Boys' advancing to the finals unbeaten, although they did have a scare in their semifinal against Hamilton Boys' High.
With the score locked at 10-all at the end of regulation, the game went to golden goal extra-time. Thankfully the outstanding skills of O'Neill in goal and the arm of Gregory served the team well and they went through to final against Rangitoto Boys, winning the final 10-7.
Several team members were lauded throughout the tournament, with Wilson Longhurst player of the game against Takapuna Grammar in pool play, Matt Hyde player of game against Hamilton Boys High in the semifinal, O'Neill overall tournament goalie and Matt Hyde tournament MVP.
