TENNIS

National ‘C’ Division Semi-Finals
Catholic High School vs Anglo Chinese School (Barker Road)
Tuesday, 10 April 2007 and Friday 13 April 2007, at Kallang Tennis Centre
 
Story and pictures by Mr Bernard Han, a teacher from Catholic High. Thanks, Bernard!

The boys from Catholic High echoed an affirmative ‘Yes!’ when they were asked if they could win today. If there were any doubts, they did not show them as the camaderie among the players more than made up for their insecurities. The task, however, became daunting as they began to do battle on the court against ACS(Br).

Catholic High’s Wei Yan (left) in his personal duel against his ACS(BR) opponent. © Bernard Han
 
By the time the supporters arrived, 3 games were already underway. All eyes were on the doubles match featuring Weiyan and Joel because a win in this match would relieve the pressure on the other players and most certainly boost their chances of advancing to the finals. The match was in the the second set when the rain disrupted play not once, but twice, breaking the pair’s momentum as the ACS(Br) boys found no solution to the pair’s strong volleys.
 
Both sides had supporters cheering the players on, but the excessive noise made by the ACS(br) boys resulted in them being expelled from the court by the umpire. Ironically, the umpire was from ACS(I).

Catholic High’s Nicholas serves against his ACS(BR) opponent. © Bernard Han
 
When the doubles game finally restarted, Nicholas has already won his singles match with a score of 6-3 and 7-6. Weiyan and Joel had gone down 3-6 in the first set but fought back to win the second set 6-4. The final set went right down to the wire at 4-5, but they lost the set 4-6 eventually. A parent commented, "It could have gone either way. Some days you win, and some days you lose." That pretty much sums up the match.
 
In the other doubles match, Bobby and Louis had a hard time trying to find their footing as they lost the first set 1-6. Fortunately, they recovered in time to win the second set 6-4 to set up a decisive third set. Meanwhile, Jerome was fighting in his singles match. He had survived the opponent’s powerful barrages of volleys to take the first set 6-4 and was leading in the second set when the games were forced to stop by the management. The booking was up to 6pm, and it was time. There was another tournament and we had no choice but to leave the grounds.

On Friday morning when the game continued, Jerome won his tie 6-4, 6-4 and Catholic High’s pair of Bobby and Louis won their decisive match 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 to ensure victory for Catholic High.
 
This propelled the Catholic High tennis team to their first ever National final! They will next play ACS (I), who beat RI in the other semi-final. The match will be played at the Kallang Tennis Centre on 25 April (Wed).
 
Summing up for the jubilant team, Nicholas, the captain of the team, said:
 
"Everyone worked hard to finally realise our dreams of entering the final! Regardless of the result (of the final), this has been a truly phenomenal journey!"
 
All the best to the team in their endeavours for the final!

"So er…where did the players go?" Rain disrupted the match several times, leaving spectators to wait it out. © Bernard Han