Written by: Amanda Goh Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWorks
Coming in early to warm up and support the girls, the boys team were fully prepared to win Raffles and earn their place in the finals!
Line up
Singles: Eik Chieh
Doubles: Huan Zhang and Michael
Singles: Junxian
Doubles: Brian and Kaibin
Singles: Shaun
Match 1
Eik Chieh starts off strong using both his forehand and his backhand to win the first two points, securing an early lead in the game. He continues to widen the lead to 6-1 by returning all his opponents shots with ease and at the interval he is up by almost 10 points, at 11-2. He continues to hold off the raffles player and wins 21-9 in the first set. He proves to everyone why he is the captain by bringing his opponent to his knees with well placed shots, leading 18-10 and eventually winning 21-12! He sets the mood high with his win and is met with applause and congratulations from his team as he walks off court!
EH 1:0 RH
Match 2
The freshie-senior duo consisting of Huan Zhang and Michael starts off a little shakily but they eventually take the lead at 3-2 with their teamwork and powerful smashes. Multiple rallies are won by the boys, but their opponents refuse to go down without a fight and at the interval, the score is 11-8. Deciding that the score is too close for comfort, the boys become more aggressive, delivering smash after smash and widen the gap 21-13, winning the first set. They continue making smart yet aggressive plays, that their opponents can’t handle and win the second set 21-16!
EH 2:0 RH
Match 3
With 2 wins under the belt already, Jun Xian’s match is a crucial one as a win would guarantee as a spot in the finals! To make things interesting, his opponent is apparently the strongest player from RH, making it a tough fight. Jun Xian starts off strong with a 3-0 lead due to quick returns as well as solid judgements from him, but the opponent soon overtakes him 6-5 to RH. determined not to lose his lead, JX wins the next point and equalises, and at the interval the score is 11-10. He widens the gap with his powerful smashes and takes the first set 21-16! The next set is just as close, with intense rallies going both ways as the two boys smash and flick the shuttlecock back and forth. They are both evenly matched at 10-10, but his opponent eventually takes the lead at 15-14 and raffles wins the second set 21-15. The third set, which is the deciding set, started out badly for Junxian as his opponent takes the lead with some powerful shots at 10-4 to RH. Determined not to give up, JX earns back some points and closes the gap 13-9 to RH. unfortunately, after a hard fight, Raffles takes the second set and wins the game 21-16. Good fight Jun xian!
EH 2:1 RH
Match 4
With only two matches left, Brianpokkatea and Kaibin knew that they would have to win their match if they wanted to play in the finals. The match is intense as both doubles are evenly matched, with the score being 4-4 at the start. The two strong men pull away and widen the lead 15-7 to eusoff with powerful smashes and good coordination. They take the first set 21-17 after some resistance from the opponents. The second set is not as smooth for them as RH seems to be always one point ahead, and they lose the second set 21-17. Showing that they do not crack under pressure, the duo continue to communicate and play well despite RH taking the lead in the third set at 7-4 to RH. their determination and persistence equalises the score to 7-7 and eventually 9-9 and 11-11. Tired of being tied, the boys smash harder and faster, widening the gap to 17-14 and go on to win the match 21-14, securing their spot in the FINALS!
EH 3:1 RH
Match 5
Although they have a guaranteed spot in the finals, Shaun still takes the game very seriously, and even when his opponent takes the lead, Shuan fights as if it were a crucial match, and brings the score from 7-5 to RH, to 13-13. The draws continue as both parties rally and rally, and reach a deuce at 20-20. Eventually, our calm and composed Shaun takes the first set 23-21 after some sikk smashes and clever netting. In the second set, Shaun seems to have warmed up and figured his opponent out already, as it is nowhere near as close of a fight as the first set. Shaun takes an early 4-1 lead and continues to widen it from there to 9-1, and wins the set 21-11!!!
Final score: EH 4:1 RH
Good Job boys, for playing your hearts out today! We are so proud of you for getting into the finals! Do come down to support our guys as they play to defend their title!
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