By Lim De Jun and Les Tan/Red Sports

TP (red/black) defeated NYP 67-21 to remain undefeated in the POL-ITE Netball Championship. (Photo © Les Tan/Red Sports)

TP (red/black) defeated NYP 67-21 to remain undefeated in the POL-ITE Netball Championship. (Photo 1 © Les Tan/Red Sports)

Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Tuesday, November 22, 2016 — Temasek Polytechnic (TP) overwhelmed Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) 67-21 to set themselves up to win the Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Netball Championship.

Their nearest challengers, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), also won on the night, defeating Republic Polytechnic (RP) 46-33. NP had a comfortable lead at half time but RP threatened at the start of the third quarter with a scoring run. However, NP reasserted control to see out the win comfortably.

NP captain Evangeline Chia said, “The previous few games were intense for us. We are a relatively fresh team. Today (against RP) we were more calm when we started. It was a more stable game compared to other games. That’s why we managed to get a comfortable lead.”

Both TP and NP have identical 3-1-0 win-draw-loss records, but TP have a better goal difference of 73 compared to NP’s 49, giving them a 24-goal advantage.

RP were undefeated in three games ahead of their matchup against NP, but the loss leaves them with a 3-1 win-loss record, with a final game against TP.

While they cannot become champions, RP may still have a say in the final destination of the championship depending on how they perform against TP. If they defeat TP, NP will become champions if they beat SP who are winless.

The championship is going down to the wire because of the 41-41 draw between TP and NP last week.

TP vice-captain Petrina Chia said, “The game against NP was our best so far. In the first quarter, we were down by six goals. We managed to catch up and in the end we managed a draw. We were very happy after the game.”

NP captain Evangeline Chia said, “In the last quarter (against TP), we didn’t perform up to standards. We were leading for the first three quarters. In the last quarter, they scored the last goal to draw.”

Despite just one win and three losses so far, ITE have made an impression.

Recalling their 48-37 win over ITE, TP vice-captain Petrina said, “ITE are the dark horses of the tournament. They were a really tough opponent.”

Goal Shooter Lee Pei Shan of ITE stood out with her accurate shots. She contributed most of the points with only three misses in the game.

Pei Shan said, “Our team has made tremendous improvement throughout our POL-ITE season. Our team played much better both offensive and defensive wise. We became more confident in facing our opponents and our team bonded so much more. Even though I made many shots today, I felt like I didn’t play as well as my usual standard. I have to work more on my defensive rebounds.”

SP had a better first half and managed to intercept many passes.

Ling Min Yi of SP said, “We played well for both our first and second quarter but our team lost the drive during the third quarter and by the fourth, we lost our motivation which resulted in the loss. There were times in the game where we caught up but ITE widened the gap by scoring consecutively which resulted in us being demoralized.

“ITE had a better mindset than our team which allowed them to win. We definitely have to improve more on our scoring as we missed quite a few shots.”

Nurnadia Bte Azin of SP added, “Despite our loss today, I am proud of how far my team went. We managed to bond so much more and that we are fighting not for the victory but we are fighting for each other.

“I would say that we played so much better than the previous games. Our ball movement on court has improved tremendously which allowed us to have more attempts.

“ITE has been seen improving tremendously through out their season and they pose a threat to most of the teams here.”

POL-ITE Netball Results
NP 35 ITE 30
NP 47 NYP 16
NP 46 RP 33
NP 41 TP 41

TP 48 ITE 37
TP 67 NYP 21
TP 48 SP 32

RP 49 ITE 41
RP 55 NYP 27
RP 47 SP 30

ITE 46 SP 34
SP 45 NYP 41

Team Rosters
SP
Lim Li Hua, Lau Min Ni, Melissa Ng Hui Shi, Chua Jia Hui, Priyalatha, Nurnadia Bte Azin, Tan Jie Min, Ling Min Yi, Chong Siew Yun, Olivia Toh, Tiffany Hong, Daryl Lim

TP
Crystal Lee, Alicia Kwek, Christine Kao, Jaslynn Lim, Chloe Low, Mabel Ho, Lian Xi Yue, Cristelle Lim, Glynice Tan, Charlene Goh, Petrina Chia, Claire Oh, Kelly Chong, Jean Tan

NP
Cheryl Nam, Evangeline Chia, Apphia Neo, New Jia Xin, Chong Shu Ting, Siti Norasyiekeen, Jodie Foo, June Kwek, Reena Divya, Vanessa Yap, Sophie Chia, Sara Hanisa Stone, Low Rui Rong, Nur Dinah

NYP
Sarah Asyikeen, Caissa Segarra Lim, Chew Hui, Ng Yun Xuan, G B Gaja Nantini, Nur Iffah, Joan Yee, Lee Jia Yan, T K C Nandinii, Pang Xue Lea, Hannah Leigh Wilkins, Vienna Chong, Valencia Chan, Liew Yi Xuan

RP
Sarah Azyantee, Celine Choo, Tan Chien Huei, Neo Fang Ching, Gwendolyn Ng, Sia Kai Yi, Kathleen Ng, May Lim, Melissa Lau, Regine Zhou, Rowena Ng, Shafinah Mahesh, Dian Ruzanah, Siti Nurrul

ITE
Fatin Nurdiyana, Lee Pei Shan, Poon Yi Ting, Yap Yu Qi, Cheong Kerri, Umaira, Nadia, Lydia Ng, Janice Ng, Elaine Tan, Toh Shi Yean, Caprice Tan, Siti Nurfarishah, Sara Laws

More photos next page
NP vs RP photos, click here
TP vs NYP photos, click here
SP vs ITE photos, click here