Raffles Institution look forward to their third consecutive title after beating Hwa Chong 44-20 in A Division Netball semi-final

Story by Chan Hui Mui. Pictures by Marvin Lowe.

Hougang Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 13, 2009 – Hwa Chong Institution failed to enter the A Division Netball Championship final for the second consecutive year after losing 44-20 to Raffles Institution in the semi-final.

The game started with both teams filled with anxiety, causing them to commit unnecessary mistakes. Raffles managed to settle down before Hwa Chong scored the first goal, and that gave them an edge over their opponents. By the time Hwa Chong finally found their way into the game, RI were already ahead by 3 goals.

Hwa Chong’s Goal Attack Sharon led the attack and they came back to tie the game at 6-6 with slightly more than 5 minutes left on the clock. This was the closest Hwa Chong would get to Raffles throughout the game, as the latter took the first quarter 9-7.

In the second period, it was a totally different story for Hwa Chong. They could not keep up with the pace of the Raffles attack, allowing the defending champions to widen the lead to 5 points in the first 3 minutes of the quarter.

Hwa Chong did have several chances to make up some ground but missing 3 consecutive shots did not help their cause. Hwa Chong was also bothered with poor footwork. It was a gloomy situation in the Hwa Chong camp when their key centre, Olivia, was injured after a clash with one of the Raffles players.

Hwa Chong ended first half of the game trailing 9-20.

The situation improved for Hwa Chong when their injured player, Olivia, was back on court in the third quarter, but she was moved to Wing Attack. However, there was little they could do to halt RI’s progress.

In the third quarter, smooth-flowing attack from Raffles coupled with poor footwork from Hwa Chong helped RI further widen their lead to 16.

Entering the final quarter with a 33-15 lead, Raffles did not give Hwa Chong any chance to make a comeback. Interceptions by the Raffles Goal Keeper, Cheryl Lee, in the goal third limited Hwa Chong to 5 goals in the quarter, while turnovers were converted to help Raffles win the game 44-20.

Hwa Chong Institution will be meeting St Andrew’s Junior College for the 3rd & 4th placing match at 12.45pm at Bedok Sports Hall this Friday, May 16.

The final between Raffles Institution and Anglo-Chinese Junior College is scheduled after that game at 2.45pm, at the same venue.