By REDintern Fiona Lee
Marvin Yeo (#11) of ACJC contests with Samuel Moses Yu (#12) of HCI for the loose ball. (Photo 1 © REDintern Marcus Quek)
PESEB (formerly CCAB), Thursday, 11 April 2013 — Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) beat Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) by a narrow 10–9 margin to win the National A Division Water Polo Championship.
The last time ACJC won the title was in 2005. Since 2006, the title has gone to Raffles Institution with the exception of 2011 when HCI were the winners.
HCI’s Darren Wong (#3) scored the opening goal just two minutes into the game but moments later, Ooi Yee Jia (#10), the ACJC captain, returned the favour when he scored to equalise and bring his team level at 1–1.
The two teams continued to trade the lead. Samuel Yu (#12) put HCI back into the lead but Daryl Ho (#8) evened it up for ACJC at 2–2. Gan Zhi Yuan (#3) and Daryl with his second goal then put ACJC in a commanding 4–2 lead.
Capitalising on a penalty, Adriel Ng (#9) of HCI began the second quarter by reducing the deficit to score the third goal for his team. HCI then equalised after Earl Chow (#4) intercepted a pass, allowing Adriel (#9) to fire in yet another goal to level at 4–4.
Their good work came undone when Daryl Ho (#8) thrust ACJC back into thelead with his third goal. Excellent teamwork between the trio of Wan Loong (#5), Jereph Wong (#4) and Sean Ang (#12) saw Sean take the final shot of the quarter to score, giving ACJC a 6–4 lead.
The third quarter saw the same scenario with both teams scoring two goals each. Zexel Lew (#11) of HCI scored the fifth goal for his team which was quickly answered by two ACJC goals through Jereph Wong (#4) and Sean Ang (#12). Adriel (#9) of HCI scored his third goal to reduce the gap to two (8–6) heading into the fourth quarter.
It was a thrilling final quarter as the crowd witnessed HCI score two goals to tie it up at 8–8. Samuel Yu (#12) scored to reduce the deficit to one, then Darren Wong (#3) scored the equaliser to bring HCI supporters to their feet.
However, HCI’s joy was short-lived when ACJC’s Daryl (#8) scored his fourth goal without any difficulties. To their supporters’ delight, Wen Bin (#8) of HCI scored yet another to equalise at 9–9 but again, the tie did not last for long. Sean Ang (#12) of ACJC broke through HCI’s defence to score his third and eventual winning goal for a 10–9 victory.
Adriel Ng (#9), captain of HCI, felt that it was a good game as both teams had given it their all.
“Both teams trained real hard for this and wanted the gold real bad and even though we didn’t win, I just want to say that we have no regrets. I am really proud of my team, having gone through thick and thin together,” said Adriel.
Yee Jia Ooi (#10), the ACJC captain, was glad that his team was not complacent despite knowing that they were the stronger team on paper.
“HCI played well today but it was thanks to our teamwork and composure that we managed to edge them out in the final moments of the game,” said Yee Jia.
He added: “This is a championship the school has really wanted for the longest time. I’m really proud of my mates.”
Score by Quarter
ACJC vs HCI
1st Quarter: 4–2
2nd Quarter: 2–2 (6–4)
3rd Quarter: 2–2 (8–6)
4th Quarter: 1–2 (9–8)
Scorers
ACJC
Daryl Ho (#8) — 4 goals
Sean Ang (#12) — 3
Yee Jia Ooi (#10) — 1
Gan Zhi Yuan (#3) — 1
Jereph Wong (#4) — 1
HCI
Adriel Ng (#9) — 3 goals
Darren Wong (#3) — 2
Samuel Moses Yu (#12) — 2
Lim Wen Bin (#8) — 1
Zexel Lew (#11) — 1
ACJC Roster
Daniel Au (#1), Bijay Naidu (#2), Gan Zhi Yuan (#3), Jereph Wong (#4), Wan Loong (#5), Zi Mai Lin (#6), Clifton Sim (#7), Daryl Ho (#8), Brendan Teo (#9), Yee Jia Ooi (#10), Marvin Yeo (#11), Sean Ang (#12), Timothy Lim (#13)
HCI Roster
Bryan Chan (#1), Dexter Quah (#2), Darren Wong (#3), Earl Chow (#4), Raynold Toh (#5), Marcus Ong (#6), Reynold Tan (#7), Lim Wen Bin (#8), Adriel Ng (#9), Jarrett Toh (#10), Zexel Lew (#11), Samuel Moses Yu Nan Feng (#12), Bryan Putera Santoso (#13)
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