NETBALL

National ‘A’ Division Girls Semifinal
St Andrew’s Junior College vs Hwa Chong Institution
18 May 2007, at Hougang Sports Hall

Story by Lee Hwee Cheng.  Pictures by Leslie Tan  © Red Sports /soulbreath pictures

It must have felt blissful to be playing indoors finally and not under the blazing sun or in wet, slippery conditions on the outdoor courts of Kallang.  The girls who made it to the semifinals today probably felt so; well, at least I, as a spectator, did.

In the first semifinal of the day, Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) showed what good stuff strong tradition produces when they cruised to a 45-25 victory over St Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC).


Saint Nurul (GD) intercepts a pass made to HCI’s Rachel Tan (WA). © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

The Saints put up an impressive fight at the start, giving a good chase to end the period only two goals behind at 7-9.  But in the second period, the Hwachongians went on a stunning 15-2 rampage as they kept up their composed game while Saints slipped into a sudden slump, missing crucial goals and committing fatal errors in passing and defensive violations.  HCI made good of most of their centre-passes, while capitalizing on SAJC’s offensive mistakes with their quick-mindedness and fluidity in counter-attacks.  With a pair of twin towers in the D in the form of GS Cassandra and GA Rachel, who could’ve easily passed off as twins with their tall, lean, long-limbed physiques with good shooting accuracy to boot, HCI ravaged the Saints and soon pulled ahead to 19-7. 

The Saints struggled in the meantime, putting up a good defense through the leadership of GD Nurul Baizura and trying to set up goal attempts in the offensive D but the sticky defense of the opponent and a few incidents of poor passes between WA Neo Yan Xiu and GA Sally Kor did not help their cause.  What resulted were only chances for Hwa Chong to launch into more counter-attacks.  In the last two minutes of the period, SAJC’s GA Sally and GS Chua Hui Zhen finally found a little of their shooting touch and each contributed a goal.  But Hwa Chong never let up as well, and they went on to finish the second quarter with a 15-point lead at 24-9.


Saint Sally (GA) picks a low ball from teammate Yan Xiu (WA). © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

The Saints put up a good tackle at the beginning of the third period when they foiled Hwa Chong’s first centre pass, and GD Nurul displayed a good eye when she made a long pass to an unguarded GA Sally right under the basket.  Saints made the first goal of the period, but HCI went on to make the next five and soon extended the lead further to 29-10.  SAJC’s Sally, by this time, had started to resume her shooting touch, and she went on to put in the rest of the six goals for her team, but not without a little difficulty as the strong HCI defense only forced Saints into making short passes around the court to get the ball into the D.  GD Nurul put up an outstanding defensive performance of her own as her fearlessness and agility intercepted many HCI passes but her efforts at counter-attacks were continuously foiled by ensuing mis-passes and HCI’s defense.  On the other hand, Hwa Chong never seemed troubled by their opponent.  They kept up with their cool heads, making quick counter attacks whenever the opportunity arose, the fluidity of which was much made easier with the two towers in the D.  The Saints had regained some awakening and put in a tougher effort in their offense against their opponent, but still Hwa Chong led at the end of the third period with a comfortable 20-point lead at 36-16.


HCI’s Cassandra goes for a ball against SAJC’s Sharon (GK). © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

At 20 goals behind, it was all or nothing for the Saints in the fourth period.  But it was HCI who continued the scoring run in the beginning, even with Cassandra rested.  Rachel took over the ‘GS’ bib and went on to score four consecutive goals for HCI, extending the lead further ahead to 40-16.  SAJC’s defense stepped up, especially with efforts by GD Nurul.  An agile and very determined player, she went on to foil a few HCI attacks with her fast movements to intercept passes and contribute a couple of fast breaks to her attacking side.  But she also showed her emotional and very passionate side when she went down in the last few minutes of the period with a calf cramp.  The game had played on, with Nurul still sitting in the court, and HCI had gone ahead to score one more goal.  The game took a time-out to treat an an evidently upset Nurul.  With a few minutes of icing, the wonder-girl was back in the game.


Centre versus Centre:  Saints’ Jingyu tries to stop a pass to HCI’s Shannon. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports


Saint Sharon (GK) tries to make an outlet pass while HCI’s Cassandra (GS) hassles. © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

As if boosted by their teammate’s fighting spirit, the Saints shifted into a higher gear and showed more determination in their fight as they went on to put in five more goals.  But time again proved to be the nemesis, and the match ended in a matter of minutes with Hwa Chong emerging the winner 45-25.


HCI’s Shannon makes a pass while Saint Jingyu refrains from a foul.  © Leslie Tan/Red Sports

Editor’s note:  We might not have gotten some names right.  So if you do recognize yourselves or any of your friends in these pictures, drop us a note in the "Comments" section and we’ll update the captions accordingly.  For more action shots, please visit the picture gallery!  Thanks!