BADMINTON
North Zone ‘B’ Division
Montfort Secondary vs Singapore Sports School
Wednesday, 28 February 2007, at Montfort Junior School
Match Report by Coach Dick Yip. Pictures by Leslie Tan.
© redsports.sg/soulbreath pictures
Montfort Secondary School edged out Singapore Sports School 3-2 in a thrilling, nail-biting final to capture the North Zone title.
Sports School’s 1st Singles player, Aloysius Tan
In the First Singles game, Aloysius Tan of Sports School took on Montfort’s Agrippina Petera of Montfort. Aloysius got off to a bright start, racing to a 0-3 lead before losing serve. However, Agrippina was not fazed and calmly edged back into the game to level the score at 3-3. Cool and confident, Agrippina then started to pull away from his opponent, reeling off three straight points to lead 6-3. Aloysius won back the serve but only managed one point before Agrippina regained control and won more points to lead 9-4. Giving up only another point to Aloysius, Agrippina calmly won the next six points to win the first set 15-4.
Montfort’s Agrippina Petera playing in the First Singles
In the First Doubles, Hong Wei Tian and Alfred Setiadi of Montfort took on Tan Kia Hwee and Jeffrey Wong of Sports School in the hope of extending their slim one point lead. But their more experienced doubles counterparts from Sports School (who used to be Montfort Junior players), playing a fast up tempo game like a DVD movie on fast forward mode, unsettled their Montfort opponents with a better combination, a stronger attack and sounder defence. They easily clinched the 1st game 15 -11.
Montfort’s 1st Doubles player, Alfred Setiadi
Montfort’s 1st Doubles player, Hong Wei Tian
The 2nd set gave some hope to the Montfort camp as Wei Tian and Alfred took a 3-0 lead through good attacking play. Jeffrey and Kia Hwee patiently gathered momentum and caught up at 5 -5 with some brilliant play of their own. It was a neck-and-neck affair until Sports School started to pull away at 9-8, with mistakes coming fom Wei Tian and Alfred. Sports School increased the pace and tempo of the game to deny Montfort any chance of a sudden come back, with multiple smashes that went through the Montfort defence, bringing the score to 13 -8. After gaining a point and giving away service, Wei Tian and Alfred were staring at defeat when they attempted a huge smash that went out. 14-9. The winning Sports School point came as the shuttle hung over the net for a simple tap down for a final score of 15-9. The overall score stood at 1-1.
Sports School’s First Doubles pair of Tan Kia Hwee (left) and Jeffrey Wong
When Sports School’s Lenny Tan strode onto centre court for this match, he must have known that his lanky, wiry adversary from Montfort was no ordinary badminton player. For facing him, across the net, is the current under-14 National Schools Singles Champion, Andrianus Prasojo Adi. Andri was also the under-14 National Schools Doubles Champion in 2005. Accompanied by the deafening shouts of, " Sports School! Sports School!" and "Montfort! Montfort!" from the packed crowd of school supporters, the SBA umpire motioned for less noise, more calm so that the players could hear him calling the score.
Sports School’s 2nd Singles player, Lenny Tan
Soon the din settled down to an expectant hush and the patient umpire signalled for play to begin. In no time at all, Andri was leading 4-1, thrilling the crowd with his attacking play. Lenny came out with some answers of his own to close the gap at 3-4. Then, in one of the many magical moments of this superlative encounter, Andri somehow managed to save an impossible net return that trickled over and caressed the net, winning back service and the next point to make it 5-3. Using his superior strokes and courtcraft Andri carved out 2 more points to lead 7-3. Lenny was able to play a neat shot to make it 4-8. The home fans, aware that their stylish star player could lift his game even higher, started chanting again with the help of a mini loudhailer.
Montfort’s 2nd Singles player, Andrianus Prasojo Adi
He must have heard their calls as he upped the tempo of the game, with non-stop attacks from every conceivable angle and displaying beauty in defence when fiercely counter-attacked by Lenny. He obliged his fans by taking the score to 10-4. Lenny realising that the game was slipping away from him then hit a hard jump smash to regain serve and followed up with another bullet smash that thudded into Andri’s body for a 5-10 score. How did Andri respond after being"shot" ? He was unbelievably clever, keeping his cool and showing little emotion. He changed his tactical play in an instant, making more use of the softer shots, taking some shots fast and early while delaying the rest. The delayed shots and the deception he employed to confuse Lenny was superb and the strategy worked to perfection as he took the next four points without reply, to game point at 14-5. The Montfort chanting resumed as the players towelled off. As their champion served, a hush descended quickly as all eyes riveted on that tiny little bird with 16 feathers that will bring shouts of jubilation or groans of disappointment as it lands. To his credit, Lenny managed to return all the shots but the last retrieval was a half-court floater which Andri killed with an exquisite back hand smash to take the opening game at 15-5.
Montfort’s coach, the legendary Wong Shoon Keat, raises his hands in jubilation as his charges score a point
After a few quick words with their respective coaches the players were back on court for the 2nd game. Andri drew first blood with a powerful smash to go 1-0 up. Then lost the serve as Lenny hit an accurate side line smash. He then won it back when Lenny hit out. With neither side gaining any points, service changed hands 11 times! Fighting point for point in long, exhausting rallies the score levelled at 3-3. Then to 5-4 with Andri ahead. Playing a patient cat-and-mouse game, service changed hands 8 times before Andri raced ahead again to 7-4, sending Lenny running all over the court. Unleashing a hard smash, the score became 8-5.
The Montfort and Sports cheering resumed and reached such a crescendo that it must have contributed to the next moment of magic. In that highly charged atmosphere, with extra adrenaline pumping through his body, Andri was for once on the receiving end of Lenny’s clever play. He was pushed to all corners of the court, net to baseline, forehand front corner to backhand rear corner before Lenny ended the "punishment" and almost won the point when he played a near perfect net chip. No one could have saved that shot as the shuttle tumbled over. No one except for a court magician called Andrianus. He not only succeeded in retrieving it but forced Lenny to return high so that he could kill it off with a majestic smash! He fully deserved that point as the whole hall cheered and clapped in appreciation and awe of the skillful display of the highest quality. Seldom have I been mesmerised by badminton at the school level. That moment and a few more will always be remembered by all who were in attendance. It was sheer magic conjured by the graceful combination of neat footwork , suppleness of movement and delicate racket control. That point gave Andri a 9-5 lead and a standing ovation. It proved to be the turning point of the whole match as a visibly exhausted and fully drenched Lenny was gasping for more air.
Montfort students cheering on their team
All eyes were now focused on the Sports School pair of Tang Kirt Soon and Shawn Tan as they prepared themselves on court for this critical 2nd Doubles game. Hoping to finish them off were Montfort’s pair of Christian Yahya and Lim Chong Yong. Outside the hall it was raining cats and dogs but the atmosphere inside the packed, humid hall resembled a cauldron with ever rising temperatures as more and more staff and student supporters arrived to witness the concluding drama. I stood up from my chair at the sideline to have a quick check with the umpire as well as Les and in that instant someone had jumped into my seat! But I didn’t mind at all because of the drama that was about to unfold before us. In my mind, and as I looked around me, this was beginning to look and feel more and more like a mini Thomas Cup Badminton Final. When the court action started, with vociferous support coming from all quarters, it was indeed a spectacle worthy to be labelled as such.
Montfort’s 2nd Doubles player, Christian Yahya
Montfort’s 2nd Doubles player, Lim Chong Yong
Kirt Soon and Shawn started the second game with a more focussed defensive strategy. They now avoided the net mostly because of the strong Montfort counter attacking play at the net, opting to lift the shuttle high to the baseline area in the hope of setting a trap to tire their opponents while watching their own net to kill off any loose net shots. That paid dividends immediately as they soared to a 6-0 lead. Christian and Chong Yong then close the gap to 4-8, then 8-9 and finally with a huge smash from Christian, levelled it at 9-9. The crowd of Montfort supporters roared again and cheered when they took a one point lead at 10-9. But Kirt Soon and Shawn had other ideas. With a steady confidence they concentrated their attack mostly on Chong Yong and took the next four points for a 14-10 game point score. They finished off the second game with a powerful mid- court smash along the center line to send their supporters into a hopeful frenzy. 15-10 to Sports School.
Sports School’s’ 2nd Doubles pair of Shawn Tan and Tang Kirt Soon (editor: who’s who?)
With the match tied at 1-1 game all, the two pairs faced each other for the decider in the third and final game. Now that both sides had proven they can take as well as give, the tension in the air was thick as the final battle got underway. The key to victory rested on who could better control the nervous energy made worse by the deafening roar of supporters from both camps and make fewer mistakes than the other side. Cheered on strongly by the Sports School camp, Shawn and Kirt Soon took a comforting 1-4 lead. Christian and Chong Yong responded by levelling it 4-4, then went 5-4 up. Shawn and Kirt Soon dug in and regained service. Montfort with good court coverage and nice placement of the shuttle got it back 5-4. Then it was 5-5, and 7-5 to Montfort, both the points finished off by the ever alert and dangerous Christian controlling play at forecourt. Sports School centered most of their attacks on Chong Yong who, under tremendous pressure, gave away three points for Sports School to go into the side changeover at 8-7. It was still anybody’s game at this half way mark. But Sports School lost the serve again. Two errors by Montfort and service was back to Sports School. When Montfort lifted a shot out, Sports School led 9-7. Montfort soon won back serve and a killer smash by Chong Yong made it 9-8. Then in the best and longest rally of the entire match, stretching to nearly 25 punishing strokes, Christian and Chong Yong won that important, crucial, psychological point to level the score at 9-9.
Montfort supporters were on the edge of their seats. I sat transfixed, refusing to leave my chair lest I lose it again! The high of clinching that valuable point drained much needed energy from both sides with Montfort losing both their serves. But their equally exhausted rivals reciprocated by giving back service with the score still at 9-9. Serving low, Sports School tapped into the net. Score 10-9. Again another low serve from Christian who anticipated the net return as it came his way and tapped down. 11-9. Ingrained inside his head must have been some powerful cues acquired from experience – "When winning keep to the same pattern, no need to change!" and "Do not experiment at a late or crucial stage". With the steely serve, Christian sent over another low serve and Sports School misread and misshit the shuttle. 12 -9 to Montfort. Then two unexpected high serves gave service back to Sports School who gratefully attacked and put them away. But they could not capitalise, wasting one and the other was killed off by Christian. From this point on, the end result was inevitable, as Christian, playing as though he was possessed by the god of Badminton, could do no wrong, and supported by his equally tough partner, killed off every shot that came his way to bring them to match and championship point at 14- 10. Montfort served for the last time, Sports School responded but no one watching that game was surprised at all as the hero of the game, Christian Yahya, had the last say and final touch to seal the victory for Montfort, 15 -10. Score: 3 -1.
Montfort teachers and students jump for joy as their team clinches the winning point
Montfort’s Principal, Simen Lourds, gives the winning doubles team of Christian Yahya and Lim ChongYong bear hugs
I saw Montfort’s coach, Wong Shoon Keat, an old friend and team mate, and asked him the same question. "The boys played very well. No, fantastic! The secret? You must find a Principal who is as crazy about the game! " Golden words from two obviously golden personalities on that day at the mini Thomas Cup final.
3rd Singles: Koh Jiayi of Sports School beat Nattapol Limpanawut (Boo) of Montfort with a score of 15-9, 15-7.
Koh Jia Yi of Sports School
Montfort’s 3rd Singles player, Boo
Final score: Montfort Sec beat Sports Sch 3-2
[…] For the match report of the North Zone final between these two badminton giants of the school scene, click here. […]
Hey thanks a lot for letting us know who’s who. Appreciate it.
The first picture of the first montfort double is alfred and the second picture of the first montfort double is weitian.
As for the first double of SSS, the one on the left is Tan Kia Hwee and the one on the right is Jeffrey Wong. They were once montfort junior badminton players, not montfort secondary.
The most interesting and exciting match was the 2nd doubles, montfort’s christian and chongyong against Shawn Tan and Tang Kirt Soon. It lasted for more than an hour if im not wrong.
Like what the giant boss (principal of MSS) said, montfort will win the nationals. (:
At the end of the 2nd Doubles, after Montfort had clinched victory, the disappointed but ever smiling Indonesian coach of SSP walked over to offer his congratulations to MSS coach Wong Shoon Keat and Principal Simen Lourds. Principal Lourds envelope him with a tight hug and said, ” on the court we fight, right? “.
SSP coach replied ,” Yes “.
MSS Lourds,” But outside the court we are good friends, right? ”
SSP coach, ” YES !” in clear endorsement.
For me observing by their side, that short, sweet exchange encapsulates the meaning of sportsmanship in a nutshell.
Thank you SSP coach and Principal Loourds for being excellent role models.
Congratulations to Montfort again!
Coach Dick Yip