Water polo teams make splash at USSA games

Winners: The water polo teams had reason to smile after their showing at the USSA games.

UCT's water polo teams impressed at the University Sport South Africa (USSA) games in East London at the end of last year.

The men's team came home triumphant, having convincingly beaten all comers. That included a resounding 9-5 victory over archrivals University of Stellenbosch in the final, their second win over the Maties in the competition.

The women's team couldn't manage top honours, but did claim the runners-up spot after narrowly losing 8-10 to nemesis Maties in the final. (In direct contrast to the men, they lost to Stellenbosch twice over the competition.)

Elated UCT men's captain Ryan Cumming lauded coach Zsolt Desai and the commitment of his team-mates as key factors in their victory. "We have an extremely talented and dynamic mix of players from all over the country," Cumming says.

Cumming was also chuffed at getting the better of the Maties in a second successive USSA final.

"(It) was hugely pleasing for the team, and served as a considerable confidence booster."