Marist Auckland Waterpolo

27.06.2007 The senior men’s tests matches last weekend produced anything but encouraging results losing to Waitakere in the Auckland Competition Semi final and having more trouble with a passionate Tauranga site than expected in the 3^rd place play off.

Nevertheless the team remains confident for its National Semi Final against Harbour City on Friday night after beating the Hawks in Wellington earlier this season.  Having won the re-match at Sacred Heart two weeks and with some of its overseas players returning Harbour City is expected to come out strong in the finals this weekend. Both teams will meet on Friday night at 5pm at West Wave, Henderson.

Marist Blue – led by Marist wise men Ben Simperingham and Kurt Goldsworthy - will leap into action earlier in the day against Waitakere at 2.00pm.

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18.06.2007 Marist Senior Men had to take their third defeat of the season after losing to NorthSport 6 – 7 on Friday night at the Millenium.

It took Marist until the third quarter to score their first goal in a game that was dominated by solid defence on both side. However, with NorthSport having scored four by that time Marist had to start trailing hard to make it back into the game. Despite narrowing the gap in the fourth quarter Marist ran out of time and had to settle for a bonus point. This bonus point may, however, secure runner up spot going into the finals in two weeks time.

22.05.2007 With three games in three days the trip to the capital was anything but a holiday for Marist. Against the reigning National Champion Maranui on Friday night Marist started well and managed a 4 goal lead at the end of the 3^rd quarter. Two quick goals and with two players fouled out Marist found themselves under big pressure with minutes to go and the margin disappearing. At the end Aaron Stockdales team managed to hold on to the lead to claim a 13 – 12 win.

A slow start against Hutt allowed the locals a quick 3 – 0 lead in front of a vocal crowd. It took Marist some time to score from the numerous opportunities and even longer to turn the game in their favour when a steal and a counter attack levelled the score at 7 all. Having broken Hutt’s resistance Marist than extended the lead further to the final score of 11 – 8.

On Sunday Marist got the better over their fatigue holding back Harbour City’s attempt to securing a spot in the top four. Again Marist faced foul trouble with Olaf Adam on 3 majors before the first quarter break. The game remained intense without any team managing a comfortable margin and just like on Friday night Marist had to hold on to a one goal lead to secure a 11 – 10 win.

With 7 wins from 8 games Marist remains in 2^nd position behind unbeaten NorthSport 14 points clear of Hutt Heat. National Champions Maranui face elimination from the finals after loosing their match to local rivals and direct contenders for the semi final berth Harbour City who will travel to Auckland the coming weekend. They will have the chance of a re-match against Marist coming Saturday.    

24.04.2007 After beating Tauranga 22-8 two weeks ago the match against local long-term rivals NorthSport will provide a better indicator where the newly shaped Marist team stands in the competition. NorthSport will field seven players who have just returned from World Champs and are therefore favourites against a young Marist side. However, each encounter between both teams has been a very close affair and this Friday's clash will be no different. Aaron Stockdale’s team has worked hard in recent weeks preparing for this match and is expected to put up a decent challange for last year's National finalists.

In 2006 NorthSport claimed a 13-10 win at Sacred Heart but had no chance in their own pool against a firing Marist side and were even denied a bonus point in a 5 - 10 defeat.  

16.04.2007 Marist Magic had a slow start yesterday against competition newcomers Tauranga Taniwhas in the first match of this year’s National League season but a strong second half was enough to secure a convincing 22-8 win. Tauranga started well in front a strong and vocal local crowd at the new Baywave Pool at Mount Maunganui levelling the first quarter at 4 all and then trialling by 6-7 at the half break benefiting from various Marist errors and cautious attack. However, the second half belonged to Marist who finally managed to get their counterattacks rolling while Tauranga appeared tired.

Marist has the coming weekend before facing NortSport on Friday, 27^th of April at Sacred Heart.

Marist Magic 22 ( P.Howat 6, A.Sieprath 4, M.Whaitiri 4, S.Venter 2, J.Campbell, O.Adam, A.Illman S.Ceghorn, M.Reid, D.Jackson 1)

Tauranga Taniwhas 8 (J.Kayes 4, L.Wright , R.Williams , K.Wilson , A.Broome 1)