Story by REDIntern Ng Enna. Pictures by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports.
Republic Polytechnic’s Dharshaka Tennekoon attempts to prevent Nanyang Polytechnic’s Leisher Lee’s shot at goal. Leisher Lee eventually finished with three goals to his name. (Photo 1 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
National University of Singapore Sports and Recreation Complex, Tuesday, January 5, 2010 - Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) thrashed Republic Polytechnic (RP) 21-4 in their opening match of the NUS-Great Eastern Water Polo Challenge.
NYP drew first blood through Danny Yeo (#10) who scored after two initially futile attempts at the start of the first quarter. An outstanding performance by Danny saw him play a role in the other NYP goals in the first quarter.
RP, who failed to find the back of the net after committing unforced errors from NYP pressure, eventually scored their first goal after seven minutes into the first quarter.
However, NYP's display of good teamwork and good goalkeeping by Brandon Lee (#1) that allowed them to take the first quarter 7-1.
NYP’s tight defence strategy in the second quarter, restricting RP to shooting from long range. NYP also turned their interceptions into quick counter attacks, making long passes across the pool to set themselves up into scoring position.
NYP scored four times in the quarter to take an 11-1 lead into the half-time break.
RP could only watch as NYP continued on their scoring spree with another five goals in the third quarter. Three out of the five goals came courtesy of Zachary Mathews (#37), bringing the overall score to 16-1.
RP rallied a comeback in the fourth quarter with vice-captain, Pradeep T (#2), Wei Hao (#11) and Ian Xie (#7) scoring one goal each.
With three minutes remaining in the game, Danny (#10) from NYP intercepted the ball and swam three-quarters across the pool before passing the ball to teammate, Andy Ou (#11), who failed to score in the first attempt.
Andy fought to get back the ball and eventually scored the final goal for NYP, to end the game 21-4.
An opening game win was definitely a good start for NYP, who finished fourth overall last year.
"We definitely want to improve on what we achieved last year," commented Jonathan Mok (#2), captain of the NYP team. "We want to get third or better and we would definitely do our best."
NYP will play against Temasek Polytechnic next and RP will rub shoulders with last year's first runners-up, Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
Both games will take place on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the National University Singapore Sports and Recreation Complex.
Quarter by Quarter Scores
NYP vs RP
1st Q: 7-1
2nd Q: 4-0
3rd Q: 5-0
4th Q: 5-3
Final score: 21-4
NYP’s Lionel Leong scores his only goal of the match in the first half. His goal was part of a 7-1 rout in the first half. (Photo 2 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Dharshaka Tennekoon attempts to claw the ball away from NYP’s Neo Hong Koon. (Photo 3 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
NYP’s Zachary Matthews looks for a teammate while being closely watched by Dharshaka Tennekoon. He scored three of his team’s five goals in the third quarter. (Photo 4 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Neo Hong Koon sends one of his three goals past RP’s Vibrant Lee. (Photo 5 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
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