Story by REDintern Jia Lin Goh. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Mason Fung and Chanon Triyachart sealed the ACS(I) victory when they beat their RI counterparts 2–1 (23–21,17–21,17–21). (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Toa Payoh Indoor Sports Hall, Wednesday, March 5, 2014 — Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) survived a tricky Raffles Institution examination to win 3–2 in the finals and retain their South Zone B Division Badminton Championship title. Last year, ACS(I) also edged out RI by the same scoreline when the two teams met in the finals.
The clash between ACS(I) and RI promised to be a thrilling affair following outstanding performances from both teams throughout the tournament. In their respective semi-finals, ACS(I) and RI left their opponents, St. Joseph’s Institution and Ang Mo Kio Secondary, in the dust with identical 5–0 score lines.
Jiang Ming Xi of ACS(I) and Andy Kwek of RI got the clash underway in the first singles event. Both players fought hard to gain an upper hand over each other but the scoreline remained fairly even. It was Andy who headed into the interval with a slim 11–10 lead after he forced Ming Xi to the sideline before smashing through the middle to earn a point.
After the interval, several of Andy’s shots did not cross the net, thus gifting Ming Xi the lead at 16–13. Then, Ming Xi found himself in a similar situation when his shots failed to cross the net three consecutive times and the game was back level at 16–16. Finally, Andy took the first set 21–18 when his overhead shot hit and narrowly passed the net to land on the forecourt, catching Ming Xi by surprise.
Ming Xi recovered in the second set by stepping up his attacking rhythm. Net kills, smashes and fast drop shots featured heavily in Ming Xi’s play. The match became a battle between the defence of Andy and the attack of Ming Xi. Eventually, Ming Xi managed to force a decider by winning the second set 21–13.
Andy started the decider set strongly to record a 8–1 lead at one point. He went on to lead 11–6 during interval. But the match turned decisively only midway in this set. Andy played several wayward shots that went wide after the interval, allowing Ming Xi to close the gap to 14–10.
Ming Xi showed great composure to level the scoreline at 16–16. Ming Xi set up a two-point advantage after he sent Andy flying into the pole while Andy was diving for the shuttle at the forecourt. Andy displayed utmost determination to force the game level at 18–18 as he made full use of his superior net play. However, Ming Xi withstood the pressure to seal an all-important win 21–18 in the decider, seizing the first point of this matchup for ACS(I).
The first doubles match took place next between Ronald Yeo and Ming Rei of ACS(I) and Rui Rong and Nicholas Seat of RI. The pair from ACS(I) continued their school’s flying start by seizing the opening set 21–9. Though the scoreline suggested a one-sided game, the game involved many intense back and forth between both sides.
The final play of this opening set was a particularly wonderful display of skills and flexibility. During the play, Nicholas took a fall and yet he was able to return two fierce shots directed at him by his ACS(I) opponents while on the ground. Eventually, Nicholas’ partner sent a smash into the net to hand the victory to ACS(I).
After going one set down, the RI pair tuned up their game in the second set. They led their opponents from the start until the end to send the match into a decider as RI took the second set 21–18.
In the third set, Ronald and Ming Rei forced their RI counterparts into defensive mode early in the game. The ACS(I) pair led 11–4 during the interval. Nicholas and Rui Rong used their power and wits to stage a stunning comeback after the break to draw level at 18–18. But it was the ACS(I) pair who reached game point first 20–18.
They squandered their first match point opportunity when their drive shot did not cross the net during a bewilderingly fast rally. This triggered massive cheers from the RI supporters as they encouraged their team on. Ronald and Ming Rei soaked up waves of attacking shots from Nicholas and Rui Rong before the RI pair sent their shot wildly wide for ACS(I) to secure their second point of this matchup.
ACS(I) now found themselves on the brink of victory. RI, on the hand, found themselves in an unusually dire situation as they trailed their opponents 2–0. RI responded by sending out Zhu Bolin for the second singles match to face Julian Yuen of ACS(I). This match was a mismatch as Julien could barely extend each rally beyond a few strokes. Julian suffered a whirlwind 21–4, 21–8 defeat at the hands of Bolin. RI managed to stay in the game and now trailed 1–2.
The second doubles match was a highly competitive affair between Mason Fung and Chanon Triyachart of ACS(I) and Deo Teo and Ian Tan of RI. Both teams poured their heart and soul into this crucial match. A win for ACS(I) would seal the championship title. A win for RI would keep their hopes of becoming South Zone champions alive.
Mason and Chanon led in the interval with an 11–9 advantage. Miscommunication between the ACS(I) players and a couple of unforced errors allowed RI to draw level at 16–16.
With the RI pair serving into the net several times, Mason and Chanon found themselves with one match point opportunity as they reached set-point at 20–19. But an overhead drop shot from RI was not saved by the ACS(I) pair and the teams were back level at 20–20.
Mason produced a powerful smash to earn a second set-point opportunity for ACS(I) in this set. Yet again, they could not convert the opportunity when both players dove for the sidelines in a failed attempt to receive a cross court net shot by RI. The score stood at 21–21.
Deo and Ian, having came from behind to save two set-point opportunities on two separate occasions, earned one set-point opportunity for themselves. RI produced three consecutive smashes to attain a narrow 23–21 win in the opening set.
The second set started in similar fashion as the opening set. ACS(I) were leading with a four-point advantage at 16–12 when a resilient RI started cutting back the point deficit. Mason and Chanon took several tumbles when they were forced to dive for smashes and drop shots. Eventually, RI levelled at 16–16. However, Mason and Chanon took five straight points to win the second set 21–16.
In the decider, neither team showed signs of giving up. The scoreline was very close at 11–9 as the interval. But when Deo and Ian committed several mistakes by sending their shots and serves into the net, Mason and Chanon pulled away to reach match-point 20–16. The ACS(I) pair converted their second match-point opportunity to seal the win 21–17 as well as the championship title for ACS(I), triggering a massive celebration from the ACS(I) supporters.
With the championship tie already won by ACS(I), the final singles match was a fight for pride. Wei Ren of RI was superior with his fine manoeuvres and skills and he took out Qi En of ACS(I) in two straight sets, 21–14, 21–10 to earn a second point for RI.
Final Score
Raffles Institution 2 Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) 3
Scoring by Matches
RI VS ACS(I)
Andy Kwek Jun Liang lost to Jiang Ming Xi
21–18, 13–21, 18–21
Lim Rui Rong and Nicholas Seat Hou Boon lost to Yeo Ronald and Ee Ming Rei
9–21, 21–18, 19–21
Zhu Bolin beat Julian Yuen Jia Jie
21–4, 21–8
Teo Wen Rui Deo and Ian Petrus Tan lost to Mason Fung and Chanon Triyachart
23–21, 17–21, 17–21
Neo Wei Ren beat Tan Qi En
21–14, 21–10
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