National A Division Netball: ACJC beat Raffles Institution 44-42 in extra time to defend title

Story by Chan Hui Mui/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

Jurong East Sports Hall, Wednesday, May 25, 2011 — Centre Wendi Lai of Anglo Chinese Junior College (ACJC) made a crucial interception in the last 20 seconds of extra time to ensure that that her team held on to beat Raffles Institution 44-42 in the final of the National A Division Netball Championship.

Defending champions ACJC started well in the first quarter and created a couple of turnovers to lead 5-3. However, it did not take long for RI to adapt to ACJC’s defense and they levelled the score at 10-10 to enter the second quarter.

The first few minutes of second quarter saw both teams stumble. ACJC were the first to overcome their nervousness and played to their game plan. On the other hand, RI continued to fumble, throwing one misplaced pass after another, allowing ACJC to score seven consecutive unanswered goals.

RI only managed to score their first goal of the quarter after nine minutes. But the goal inspired the team and after some patient play by RI, they narrowed the deficit to four points.

Leading 20-16, ACJC did not allow RI to take a breather in the third quarter. ACJC maintained the intensity of their play and widen the lead to nine points at 30-21.

RI found a way to overcome ACJC’s defense in the last few minutes of the quarter, scoring four consecutive goals to close up the gap and trail by five at 30-25.

Continuing their momentum from the third quarter, RI went on an 8-3 run to level at 33-all with slighting more than eight minutes left on the clock. RI continued to vary their play and some long shots from RI’s Goal Attack, Liu Xinyi, kept them to within one point.

In the last minute of the final quarter, ACJC were leading the game 38-37. ACJC had the chance to win the match but they rushed their play and sent the ball into their opponents’ hands. RI then scored to send the game into extra-time.

ACJC calmed themselves down and scored three consecutive goals to kick start the extra-time period. However, RI did not allow ACJC to run away with the victory so easily. Good attacking moves allowed RI to narrow the deficit to one point at 42-41.

With slightly less than 20 seconds to go, RI’s Goal Keeper Grace Seow made a crucial intercept in the goal circle. Before Grace Seow could take a breather, ACJC’s Centre Wendi Lai made an interception in the mid-court to send the ball back into the ACJC shooters’ hands. When ACJC’s shooter Sally scored, the ACJC supporters went into a frenzy as ACJC celebrated their 44-42 title win.

“The 5 months fitness training paid off and the girls wanted the game,” shared ACJC coach Kok Mun Wai. “I would name Wendi Lai, our centre, the MVP of the match. She is always there to keep the game going and of course making the crucial intercept in the extra time.”

Captain of ACJC, Ng Si Ying, shared her thoughts about taking the second A Division goal medal: “I am very happy for the win. Last year’s result did not matter when we came into this match. We wanted the game.”

“This is my third extra time match for the year. All three are from the Raffles family! One from Raffles Girls’ School and two from Raffles Institution,” RI coach Chng Li Li said.

“We threw away too many balls but we did well in the fourth quarter, especially Xinyi (Goal Attack) and Grace Seow (Goal Keeper). Despite the disadvantage in height, Grace did well to restrict the shooters,” commented Chng.

In the 3rd/4th placing match, Hwa Chong Institution defeated St Andrew’s Junior College 58-39.

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