BADMINTON

North Zone ‘B’ Division
Montfort Secondary vs Singapore Sports School
Wednesday, 28 February 2007, at Montfort Junior School

Match Report by Coach Dick Yip.  Pictures by Leslie Tan.
© redsports.sg/soulbreath pictures

Montfort Secondary School edged out Singapore Sports School 3-2 in a thrilling, nail-biting final to capture the North Zone title.

 

Sports School’s 1st Singles player, Aloysius Tan

In the First Singles game, Aloysius Tan of Sports School took on Montfort’s Agrippina Petera of Montfort. Aloysius got off to a bright start, racing to a 0-3 lead before losing serve.  However, Agrippina was not fazed and calmly edged back into the game to level the score at 3-3.  Cool and confident, Agrippina then started to pull away from his opponent, reeling off three straight points to lead 6-3.  Aloysius won back the serve but only managed one point before Agrippina regained control and won more points to lead 9-4.  Giving up only another point to Aloysius, Agrippina calmly won the next six points to win the first set 15-4.

In the second set, Agrippina led from start to finish.  He worked his way quickly to a 5-1 lead, stretching it to 9-3, all the while showing a fantastic touch at the net, making the shuttle creep over the net with no chance of retrieval for Aloysius on some occasions.  At this stage, Aloysius found renewed vigour and exchanged serve with Agrippina, stalling the latter on 9 points for awhile.  The continued their battle to 10-6 at which point there was a titanic exchange between the two players, ending with Aloysius trying in vain to retrieve a smash by Agrippina. This was a key moment in the set because subsequently, Agrippina never yielded another point and playing in his remorseless style, cruised to a 15-6 victory to wrap up the first point for Montfort.

Montfort’s Agrippina Petera playing in the First Singles

In the First Doubles, Hong Wei Tian and Alfred Setiadi of Montfort took on Tan Kia Hwee and Jeffrey Wong of Sports School in the hope of extending their slim one point lead. But  their more experienced doubles counterparts from Sports School (who used to be Montfort Junior players), playing a fast up tempo game like a DVD movie on fast forward mode, unsettled their Montfort opponents with a better combination, a stronger attack and sounder defence.  They easily clinched the 1st game 15 -11.

Montfort’s 1st Doubles player, Alfred Setiadi

Montfort’s 1st Doubles player, Hong Wei Tian

The 2nd set gave some hope to the Montfort camp as Wei Tian and Alfred took a 3-0 lead through good attacking play. Jeffrey and Kia Hwee patiently gathered momentum and caught up at 5 -5 with some brilliant play of their own. It was a neck-and-neck affair until Sports School started to pull away  at 9-8, with mistakes coming fom Wei Tian and Alfred. Sports School increased the pace and tempo of the game to deny Montfort any chance of a sudden come back, with multiple smashes that went through the Montfort defence, bringing the score to 13 -8. After gaining a point and giving away service, Wei Tian and Alfred were staring at defeat when they attempted a huge smash that went out. 14-9. The winning Sports School point came as the shuttle hung over the net for a simple tap down for a final score of 15-9.  The overall score stood at 1-1.

 

Sports School’s First Doubles pair of Tan Kia Hwee (left) and Jeffrey Wong

When Sports School’s Lenny Tan strode onto centre court for this match, he must have known that his lanky, wiry adversary from Montfort was no ordinary badminton player. For facing him, across the net, is the current under-14 National Schools Singles Champion, Andrianus Prasojo Adi.  Andri was also the under-14 National Schools Doubles Champion in 2005.  Accompanied by the deafening shouts of, " Sports School! Sports School!" and "Montfort! Montfort!" from the packed crowd of school supporters, the SBA umpire motioned for less noise, more calm so that the players could hear him calling the score.

Sports School’s 2nd Singles player, Lenny Tan

Soon the din settled down to an expectant hush and the patient umpire signalled for play to begin. In no time at all, Andri was leading 4-1, thrilling the crowd with his attacking play. Lenny came out with some answers of his own to close the gap at 3-4. Then, in one of the many magical moments of this superlative encounter, Andri somehow managed to save an impossible net return that trickled over and caressed the net, winning back service and the next point to make it 5-3. Using his superior strokes and courtcraft Andri carved out 2 more points to lead 7-3. Lenny  was able to play a neat  shot  to make it 4-8. The home fans, aware that their stylish star player could lift his game even higher, started chanting again with the help of a mini loudhailer.

Montfort’s 2nd Singles player, Andrianus Prasojo Adi

He must have heard their calls as he upped the tempo of the game, with non-stop attacks from every conceivable angle and displaying beauty in defence when fiercely counter-attacked by Lenny. He obliged his fans by taking the score to 10-4. Lenny realising that the game was slipping away from him then hit a hard jump smash to regain serve and followed up with another bullet smash that thudded into Andri’s body for a 5-10 score. How did Andri respond after being"shot" ? He was unbelievably clever, keeping his cool and showing little emotion. He changed his tactical play in an instant, making more use of the softer shots, taking some shots fast and early while delaying the rest. The delayed shots and the deception he employed to confuse Lenny was superb and the strategy worked to perfection as he took the next four points without reply, to game point at 14-5. The Montfort  chanting resumed as the players towelled off. As their champion served, a hush descended quickly as all eyes riveted on that tiny little bird with 16 feathers that will bring shouts of jubilation or groans of disappointment as it lands. To his credit, Lenny managed to return all the shots but the last retrieval was a half-court floater which Andri killed with an exquisite back hand smash to take the opening game at 15-5.

Montfort’s coach, the legendary Wong Shoon Keat, raises his hands in jubilation as his charges score a point 

After a few quick words with their respective coaches the players were back on court for the 2nd game. Andri drew first blood with a powerful smash to go 1-0 up. Then lost the serve as Lenny hit an accurate side line smash. He then won it back when Lenny hit out. With neither side gaining any points, service changed hands 11 times!  Fighting point for point in long, exhausting rallies the score levelled at 3-3. Then to  5-4 with Andri ahead. Playing a patient cat-and-mouse game, service changed hands 8 times before Andri raced ahead again to 7-4, sending Lenny running all over the court. Unleashing a hard smash, the score became 8-5.

The Montfort and Sports cheering resumed and reached such a crescendo that it must have contributed to the next moment of magic. In that highly charged atmosphere, with extra adrenaline pumping through his body, Andri was for once on the receiving end of Lenny’s clever play.  He was pushed to all corners of the court, net to baseline, forehand front corner to backhand rear corner before Lenny ended the "punishment" and almost won the point when he played a near perfect net chip. No one could have saved that shot as the shuttle tumbled over.  No one except for a court magician called Andrianus. He not only succeeded in retrieving it but forced Lenny to return high so that he could kill it off with a majestic smash! He fully deserved that point as the whole hall cheered and clapped in appreciation and awe of the skillful display of the highest quality. Seldom have I been mesmerised by badminton at the school level. That moment  and a few more will always be remembered by all who were in attendance. It was sheer magic conjured by the graceful combination of neat footwork , suppleness of movement and delicate racket control. That point gave Andri a 9-5 lead and a standing ovation. It proved to be the turning point of the whole match as a visibly exhausted and fully drenched Lenny was gasping for more air.

Montfort students cheering on their team

Sensing that his early strategy has paid off, Andri went for the kill by prolonging the rallies, thus effectively reducing the chance of Lenny catching his second wind at this crucial stage of the game.  The score became 12-5. Lenny only managed TWO more points to creep closer to 7-12. But Andri was not impressed as he brought the battle to game and match point at 14-7. The crowd rose on their feet  as the talented player jumped to deliver the coup de grace and the last shot of this thrilling encounter – a smash to forehand court. Final score, 15-7.  Montfort were now leading 2-1 overall.
 
All eyes were now focused on the Sports School pair of Tang Kirt Soon and Shawn Tan as they prepared themselves on court for this critical 2nd Doubles game. Hoping to finish them off were Montfort’s pair of Christian Yahya and Lim Chong Yong.  Outside the hall it was raining cats and dogs but the atmosphere inside the packed, humid hall resembled a cauldron with ever rising temperatures as more and more staff and student supporters arrived to witness the concluding drama. I stood up from my chair at the sideline to have a quick check with the umpire as well as Les and in that instant someone had jumped into my seat! But I didn’t mind at all because of the drama that was about to unfold before us. In my mind, and as I looked around me, this was beginning to look and feel more and more like a mini Thomas Cup Badminton Final. When the  court action started, with  vociferous support  coming from  all quarters,  it was indeed a spectacle worthy to be labelled as such.

Montfort’s 2nd Doubles player, Christian Yahya

With so much at stake, the no holds barred, no quarter given Second Doubles clash saw Montfort take a 5-1 lead in the opening minutes with the ever sharp Christian pouncing on every loose shuttle. He showed what magic he was capable of producing when, under an intense spell of  hard attack by Sports School, a well-directed smash went past him and yet he somehow managed to save that shot between his legs with a difficult, almost impossible  reverse shot. They won that rally to make it 9-3. And he got the crowd roaring again at when he killed off Sports School’s powerful aerial attack by replying with a sudden blocked drop that left his rivals stranded. At 11-4, Kirt Soon and Shawn tried to make a comeback with better combination in their play, narrowing the gap to 11-8. But they were again undone by Christian, who dominated the net superbly with his uncanny anticipation by tapping in the next three points to bring the first set to game point, 14-8. Montfort served low but the Sports School side tapped it into the net to give the first game to Montfort,15-8.

Montfort’s 2nd Doubles player, Lim Chong Yong

Kirt Soon and Shawn started the second game with a more focussed defensive strategy. They now avoided the net mostly because of the strong Montfort counter attacking play at the net, opting to lift the shuttle high to the baseline area in the hope of setting a trap to tire their opponents while watching their own net to kill off any loose net shots. That paid dividends immediately as they soared to a 6-0 lead. Christian and Chong Yong then close the gap to 4-8, then 8-9 and finally with a huge smash from Christian, levelled it at 9-9. The crowd of Montfort supporters roared again and cheered when they took a one point lead at 10-9. But Kirt Soon and Shawn had other ideas. With a steady confidence they concentrated their attack mostly on Chong Yong and took the next four points for a 14-10 game point score. They finished off the second game with a powerful mid- court smash along the center line to send their supporters into a hopeful frenzy. 15-10 to Sports School.

Sports School’s’ 2nd Doubles pair of Shawn Tan and Tang Kirt Soon (editor: who’s who?)

With the match tied at 1-1 game all, the two pairs faced each other for the decider in the third and final game. Now that both sides had proven they can take as well as give, the tension in the air was thick as the final battle got underway. The key to victory rested on who could better control the nervous energy made worse by the deafening roar of supporters from both camps and make fewer mistakes than the other side. Cheered on strongly by the Sports School camp, Shawn and Kirt Soon took a comforting 1-4 lead. Christian and Chong Yong responded by levelling it 4-4, then went 5-4 up. Shawn and Kirt Soon dug in and regained service. Montfort with good court coverage and nice placement of the shuttle got it back 5-4. Then it was 5-5, and 7-5 to Montfort, both the points finished off by the ever alert and dangerous Christian controlling play at forecourt. Sports School centered most of their attacks on Chong Yong who, under tremendous pressure, gave away three points for Sports School to go into the side changeover at 8-7. It was still anybody’s game at this half way mark. But Sports School lost the serve again. Two errors by Montfort and service was back to Sports School. When Montfort lifted a shot out, Sports School led 9-7. Montfort soon won back serve and a killer smash by Chong Yong made it 9-8. Then in the best and longest rally of the entire match, stretching to nearly 25 punishing strokes, Christian and Chong Yong won that important, crucial, psychological point to level the score at 9-9.

Montfort supporters were on the edge of their seats. I sat  transfixed, refusing to leave my chair lest I lose it again! The high of clinching that valuable point drained much needed energy from both sides with Montfort losing both their serves. But their equally exhausted rivals reciprocated by giving back service with the score still at 9-9. Serving low, Sports School tapped into the net. Score 10-9. Again another low serve from Christian who anticipated the net return as it came his way and tapped down. 11-9. Ingrained inside his head must have been some powerful cues acquired from experience – "When winning keep to the same pattern, no need to change!" and "Do not experiment at a late or crucial stage". With the steely serve, Christian sent over another low serve and Sports School misread and misshit the shuttle. 12 -9 to Montfort. Then two unexpected high serves gave service back to Sports School who gratefully attacked and put them away. But they could not capitalise, wasting one and the other was killed off by Christian.  From this point on, the end result was inevitable, as Christian, playing as though he was possessed by the god of Badminton, could do no wrong, and supported by his equally tough partner, killed off every shot that came his way to bring them to match and championship point at 14- 10. Montfort served for the last time, Sports School responded but no one watching that game was surprised at all as the hero of the game, Christian Yahya, had the last say and final touch to seal the victory for Montfort, 15 -10. Score: 3 -1.

Montfort teachers and students jump for joy as their team clinches the winning point

 

The MSS supporters at the upper gallery ran around proudly waving their school flags. Principal Simen Lourdes jumped off from his seat  and rushed forward to envelope his drenched and joyous pair, giving them both the biggest hugs of their life and allowing them, for at least a moment, to shed a few drops of sweet tears on his immaculate shirt. In the very next moment, on recognising me, I too was hugged and enveloped by those huge arms. Hoping to unearth some secrets of Montfort’s badminton supremacy from him, he gave me this little nugget; "They call themselves Montfort Giants. Inside everyone there is both a dwarf and a Giant. At this level of play, all the players have the same level of skills, but only the one who wakes up the Giant in him….WINS !"

Montfort’s Principal, Simen Lourds, gives the winning doubles team of Christian Yahya and Lim ChongYong bear hugs

I saw Montfort’s coach, Wong Shoon Keat, an old friend and team mate, and asked him the same question. "The boys played very well. No, fantastic! The secret? You must find a Principal who is as crazy about the game! " Golden words from two obviously golden personalities on that day at the mini Thomas Cup final.

3rd Singles:   Koh Jiayi of Sports School beat Nattapol Limpanawut (Boo) of Montfort with a score of 15-9, 15-7.

Koh Jia Yi of Sports School

Montfort’s 3rd Singles player, Boo

Final score:  Montfort Sec beat Sports Sch 3-2