Bukit Panjang Govt High crowned West Zone B Division netball champions after narrow victory over Nan Hua

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Chan Hui Mui/Red Sports

Jurong East Sports Hall, Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - The undefeated Bukit Panjang Government High claimed the West Zone B Division Netball Championship after seeing off Nan Hua High School 23-20 in the final.

The pressure was on Nan Hua after their juniors failed to overcome Nanyang Girls' High School in the earlier C Division final, and it might have gotten to them as they were unable to hold off Bukit Panjang and their tall GS, Claire Png.

Bukit Panjang took the game to Nan Hua, sprinting to a 4-0 lead while the opponents struggled to get settled. Bukit Panjang GS Claire Png scored all of her side's four points as she dominated the semi-circle, comfortably catching quality lobs from her midfielders.

Nan Hua, however, soon got settled and began to put goals on the score sheet. They managed to cut the lead down to three points at 4-7 to end the first quarter.

After the laboured start, Nan Hua came into the second quarter firing on all cylinders. They fought back to level the tie at 9-9 before jumping to an 11-9 lead with their tall GS doing the damage. Just like Bukit Panjang, their tactic relied heavily on high balls to their GS.

Bukit Panjang could have drawn level, but Claire, in this quarter, was constantly off target. As a result, Nan Hua took a fragile 11-10 lead into the half.

There was nothing to separate both teams in the third quarter as they traded points with each possession in a desperate attempt to gain the advantage. Both side's defenses held strong and prevented the other from scoring with ease. However, it was Nan Han that had the slim edge going into the final quarter, snatching the lead at 16-14.

Not to be outdone, Bukit Panjang came out fighting in the final period and quickly leveled the match at 17-17, before claiming the lead at the next point through Claire Png. They then continued to extend their lead to 20-17 and put the pressure on Nan Hua.

Although Nan Hua were able to narrow the scores to 19-20, Claire scored another three more goals towards the end of the match to put the game beyond Nan Hua and seal victory for her team at 23-20.

"I feel very proud of my team for coming this far since the start of the tournament," said Leow Suli, Bukit Panjang's captain. "The last time we were in the top four was two years ago, so this is a great new experience for all of us. We, as a whole team, wanted the championship together and we had this common goal."

"Now, we aim to be champions during the national tournament!"

In the 3rd/4th placing match, River Valley High School emerged victorious after beating Clementi Town Secondary 29-27.

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