Story by Jasmine Goh/Red Sports. Photos by Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports
Jane Wong (WD) of Nanyang Girls’ High School intercepts a pass. (Photo 1 © Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports)
CHIJ Toa Payoh, Tuesday, April 7, 2015 — St. Margaret’s Secondary scored their second straight win after beating Nanyang Girls’ High 43–31 convincingly in the second round of the National B Division Netball Championship.
St. Margaret’s had previously defeated Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) 33–27 in an earlier match last Thursday. On the other hand, Nanyang Girls’ now fall to a 0–2 win-loss record after going down 29–33 to Raffles Girls’ School.
Stellar shooting from St. Margaret’s Goal Shooter, Chloe Koo, as well as strategic runs from their Goal Attack, Sara Stone, were instrumental in St. Margaret’s smooth play. On the other hand, Sarah Cheah (GS) from Nanyang Girls’ took advantage of her height to nab high balls over the St. Margaret’s Goal Keeper and Goal Defence, converting several offensive rebounds into points.
Led by the Goal Attack and Wing Attack, the NYGH players located their goal shooter, Sarah, in the circle with well-executed passes, where she followed up to score points for the team. She was dominant offensively with her accuracy at the net.
However, it was St. Margaret’s fluidity in play that gave them the slight 12–9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Although Nanyang Girls’ persistence and determination allowed them to narrow the score margin to trail by one (18–19) in the second quarter, St. Margaret’s still held an edge. They were always one step ahead as they could connect their passes past the Nanyang Girls’ defenders by deftly moving into spaces and committing to their runs.
Shots at goal were taken with great confidence by St. Margaret’s Goal Shooter, Chloe, often from difficult angles and near the top of the goal circle. Sara (GA) of St. Margaret’s converted the last shot of the second quarter to give her team a 23–18 lead to head into the half-time interval.
A call for injury time in the third quarter saw Christabel Chong of Nanyang Girls’ moving from the WA to GA position. The change in line-up saw Nanyang Girls’ follow up with three unanswered goals.
Both sides traded goals towards the end of the quarter but ultimately, St. Margaret’s defenders, Jane Yu (GK) and Farhana (GD) made some important interceptions and forced a couple of turnovers to help their team hold on to their precious lead.
Eventually, St. Margaret’s sustained their eight-point lead from the first half to clinch the 43–31 victory.
Farhana, vice-captain of St. Margaret’s, said, “We fought hard together as a team, especially towards the end of the final quarter.”
Charis Goh of St. Margaret’s agreed. She said, “I think this was one of the best games that we had since the season. We displayed our fighting spirit and great teamwork. Nanyang Girls’ put up a great performance today as well. They really put up a good fight and wanted the ball.”
St. Margaret’s will next take on Raffles Girls’ School at 2 p.m., while NYGH will face Methodist Girls’ School at 3 p.m. Both games will take place at CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) on Thursday, April 9.
Scores by Quarter
St. Margaret vs Nanyang Girls’
1Q: 12–9
2Q: 11–9 (23–18)
3Q: 11–8 (34–26)
4Q: 9–5 (43–31)
St. Margaret’s Roster
Chloe Koo, Sara Stone, Hannah Chen, Meilynn Lee, Rachel Koh, K.S Farhana, Jane Yu, Charlene Ong, Felicia, Denise Tan, Charis Goh, Janu
Nanyang Girls’ Roster
Celine Poh, Clara Lim, Jane Wong, Janna Poong, Tan Li Yi, Amelia Leong, Nicole Chia, Wong Siong Min, Christabel Chong, Sarah Cheah, Kelly Tan Shi Hui, Tammy Quek
2015 National B Division Netball Championship – fixtures and results
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