RI and HCI battle to draw at A Division boys water polo

By Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Monday, April 5, 2010 - A last-minute goal just one second from time saw Raffles Institution's battle with Hwa Chong Institution finish in a 7-7 draw at the A Division Boys Water Polo Championship.

Andrew Khan (RI #10) scored the first goal just 30 seconds into play for RI to take the lead. Another goal by Shawn Tay (RI #3) saw RI pull ahead. Both teams were playing aggressively as the players tried to outwit each other. HCI finally put a point on the score board after Toh Yi Da (HCI #9) scored with 20 seconds left on the clock in the first quarter.

However, Tan Hong Wei (HCI #3) scored seconds into the second quarter to level the score at 2-2. HCI then turned the tables on RI when they stole the lead through a goal from Yi Da (HCI #9) two minutes later. However, HCI quickly answered back with a goal from Rishi Shankar (RI #4). Chiam Kim Yang (RI #2) then put in two consecutive goals for RI to lead 5-3 at half-time.

In the third quarter, HCI made a comeback when Dominic Fong (HCI #4) and Cheng Jun Song (HCI #11) scored. HCI were let down by their shooting, which often rebounded off the goal post rather than find the back, preventing them from taking a larger lead.

RI lost their lead in the fourth quarter after Jun Song (HCI #11) scored with 4 minutes 57 seconds left. With the match slipping out of their hands, RI leveled the score at 6-6 with 1 minute 30 seconds left to keep RI's hopes alive.

It was jubilation for RI as Joel Ling’s (RI #12) shot just 15 seconds from time found the back of the net. He avoided a challenge from HCI, and fired off his shot from the corner which went past the goalkeeper and into the top corner.

With the lead, RI seemed like they would emerge victorious. But HCI cut their celebrations short when Bryan Kuah (HCI #12) scored just one second from time to level the game 7-7.

More photos in the gallery.

Editor’s note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind and we will update accordingly. Thanks!

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