Canoe Polo: Hastings Boys' crowned champs
Hastings Boys' High School are the princes of canoe polo in Hawke's Bay.
The school's junior and senior teams stamped their supremacy in the region's secondary school championship at the Hastings Aquatic Centre this month.
The juniors were undefeated in pool play, beating Havelock High 7-3, Karamu High 3-2 and Napier Boys' High 6-2. In the semifinals, they crushed St John's 5-1.
The final against Karamu High was physical but the HBHS defence soaked it up to turn over ball for a 4-0 victory to defend their title.
For HBHS, Tane Hohipa was clinical on attack and captain Shakquan Butler Toko was formidable in defence with solid input from Bradley Mosen, Taylor Walbank and Lachlan Miller.
Year 9 players Devon Flanders and Jackson Ralph improved as the tournament progressed. The seniors emulated the juniors, beating Lindisfarne 15-1, NBHS 10-0, Taradale 3-2 and Havelock North High 5-2.
In the semifinal, HBHS beat NBHS 3-1. In the final, Sam Carter struck twice against St John's in the first half to ease the pressure for a 4-0 victory to clinch their maiden open title.
Captain Ryan Warren led by example with Reuben Papuni marshalling the defence while Harry Skelton created multiple turnovers.
Kaleb Jones, Liam Warren and AJ Bowden all made an impact. Both teams will compete at the nationals later this month.
