Singapore Schools 17s defeat LLAB 10 Hearts for sixth straight victory in Division 3 Netball League

Story by REDintern Nyan Fu Keong.

Cheryl Lee (SS17s, C) blocks the Hearts C from passing the ball. (Photo 1 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)

Kallang Netball Centre, Monday, June 23, 2008 – Singapore Schools 17s (SS17s) thrashed LLAB 10 Hearts 55-21 in a Netball League Division 3 game last week. The win gave SS17s their sixth straight victory while Hearts only have one victory to date.

The match started as the sun faded into the horizon. Hearts fought bravely to prevent the stronger SS17s from gaining a large lead, walking off the court at the end of the first quarter only eight points behind.

The challenge for Hearts continued in the second quarter with SS17s' GS proving a formidable foe with her towering height an excellent advantage. Coupled with her precise shooting skills, she scored points with relative ease. Her shorter adversary, Hearts' GK, could do little to stop her from going on a rampage. Five minutes into the second quarter, SS17s had widened their lead to 13 points with SS17s' WA scoring after several quick passes within her teammates. This seemed to disorientate the Hearts’ players, allowing SS17s to build up their lead.

The Hearts GK stepped up her game and intercepted numerous passes from her opponents. With a few remaining minutes in the quarter, Hearts managed to score another point but they soon lost possession and the SS17s GA scored another point. Hearts scored another point seconds before the whistle blew to end the quarter trailing by nine at 12-21.

With SS17s within touching distance, Hearts had hopes of turning the tide. The Hearts GS closed the gap further with another goal after many consecutive unsuccessful tries while her GA teammate also got on the scoreboard. The Hearts team were further encouraged when they won a penalty for an SS17s obstruction but the penalty shot was missed. The SS17s team continued with their accurate shooting, to finish the quarter comfortably ahead.

In the final quarter, even though Hearts had many chances to score, they could not capitalise, allowing SS17s the luxury of substituting their key players with the game comfortably won.

The hearts GA passes the ball as the SS17s GD stretches to block. (Photo 2 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)

The Hearts GA and SS17s GK fight for possession of the ball. (Photo 3 © Nyan Fu Keong/Red Sports)