Raffles Institution beat St Andrew’s JC to retain girls’ A Division water polo title

By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

CCAB, Tuesday, April 13, 2010 – Raffles Institution had to claw back from a goal down to defeat St Andrew's Junior College 6-4 in the final of the A Division Girls’ Water Polo Championship to retain their title.

After the end of the half, the teams were still glued together at 1-1 before Raffles Institution blew open the game in the third quarter. Quek Xin Ping scored a hat-trick while captain Teo Ling Li added another two as Raffles' eventually hung on for the win.

Raffles had previously beaten St. Andrew's 5-4 in the preliminary round, but it was nervy first quarter for both sides with possession constantly changing hands. St. Andrew's stationed their centre, Clara Poon (#9), in front of Raffles' goal and pumped long balls up to her and it paid dividend when they took the lead 1.40 before the end of the first quarter. She managed to shake off her marker before sending a shot that the Raffles keeper could only guide into the roof of the net.

The lead did not last long however, as Raffles stuck right back through Quek Xin Ping who levelled the match at 1-1 just before the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was a cagey affair with Raffles holding much of the ball but they found it difficult to break through St. Andrew's defense. At the other end, Clara sent a few shots wide of the post but she was constantly frustrated as her aggressive style of play had a few calls going against her.

Both sides failed to threaten their opponents’ goal as the score remained 1-1 at the half.

Raffles blew the game open in the third quarter with Quek Xin Ping and Ethel Lim giving their side a two-goal cushion before Gina Koh replied with a shot to the bottom corner to pull a goal back.

Just before the end of the quarter St. Andrew's had a great opportunity to level the game with a 6-on-5, but they were unable to make it count and the quarter ended 3-2 in favour of Raffles.

St. Andrew's tried to find the equaliser at the start of the fourth quarter, but they were unable to break down Raffles' stubborn defense. Instead, it was Raffles that scored the next goal with captain Teo Ling Li's lob finding the bottom corner the keep to double her side's lead at 4-2.

Xin Ping then further extended Raffles lead when St. Andrew's failed to get back fast enough after a time-out. Ling Li hit the bar with her shot, but Xin Ping was on hand to tap in the rebound into an open net.

Although St. Andrew's were able to pull one back, an unmarked Ling Li sealed the win with her second goal with 25 seconds remaining to make the scores 6-3. Gina Koh put in another for St Andrew's at the end, but it was already too late as the title headed back to Raffles.

"It was the girls' determination that won them the match today," said coach Alvin Lee. "They have really worked hard throughout the months and eventually played their best in the final."

"Although SA took the lead my girls showed character to fight back and win," he added.

"My team and I are over the moon right now," said Raffles Institution captain Teo Ling Li. "I couldn't be more proud of my team! Although we made a few mistakes, we played our hearts out!"

"Previously when we played them [in the preliminary rounds], we didn't play well. After that match we went through every detail, what we did right and wrong, that they prepared us for this match," added Ling Li.

When asked what was going through her mind after they let in the first goal she said, "We actually wanted to score the first goal to bring our moral up but even though they did we didn't let that affect us. Most importantly, we had the winning mentality and we played as a team. I believed that my team have the determination and ability to win the game."

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