CHIJ (Toa Payoh) edge out RGS to gain place in netball championship final

Story and pictures by Leslie Tan

RGS’ WA Beatrice Loo slips the ball past CHIJ’s Centre Jaime Seah. (Photo 1 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Thursday, April 10, 2008 – CHIJ (Toa Payoh) held off a strong comeback by Raffles Girls’ School to secure a 28-25 semi-final win and a place in the B Division Netball Championship Final against Singapore Sports School next Monday.

CHIJ (Toa Payoh) had lost the South Zone Championship Final to RGS earlier in the season but the team came together at the right time to beat RGS when it mattered most.

By the end of the first quarter, CHIJ had outpaced RGS 10-5 and matters remained unchanged by half-time as CHIJ walked off with a four-point lead at 16-12.

In the third quarter, the action picked up as RGS started closing the gap while the CHIJ shooting started to go cold. By the end of the third quarter, RGS were trailing by only two at 18-20.

Things got a lot more tense in the fourth when RGS tied up it at 22-22 with 5:40 left on the clock. A minute later, RGS shot themselves into the lead at 24-23, giving the RGS supporters much to cheer about.

But the CHIJ girls came back to tie it up at 24-24 and jumped into a 25-24 lead as they showed better composure under the basket and won their own rebounds.

RGS missed a chance with 3 minutes left on the clock to tie it up and a subsequent attack fell apart. Leading 25-24, CHIJ made them pay for these two missed chances and their GA pulled them further ahead to 26-24 with 1:35 left. RGS finally scored another goal to make it 25-27 but CHIJ sealed it up 28-25 to ensure victory.

“It was nerve-wracking but the hard work paid off,” said Ms Grace Champion, teacher-in-charge of netball at CHIJ (Toa Payoh). “Last year, our C Division team was third at national level. This year, it’s a bonus that both our C and B teams are in the finals. The girls have put in a lot of effort.”

When asked about how they were feeling before the game despite having lost to RGS before, CHIJ player Janice Lee said: “We felt we could trash them before the game! Even though we were tired and trailing at one point, we told ourselves we had to get it back.” Of their opponents, Singapore Sports School, who beat them by three points (28-25) in an earlier round, the girls agreed, “They are beatable!”

RGS’ Centre Charmian Goh waits for a pass from her teammate. (Photo 2 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

RGS’ WA Beatrice Loo pulls down a pass while CHIJ’s WD Lindsay Chow moves in. (Photo 3 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

RGS’ GA Wan Ting passes to a teammate. (Photo 4 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

“If you want it, come and get it.” RGS’ Centre Charmian contemplates her next move while her opposite number Jaime Seah defends against her. (Photo 5 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

RGS’ GS Ng Jia Ming and CHIJ’s GK Shona Rajamohan go up for the ball. (Photo 6 © Leslie Tan/Red Sports)

N.B. If you recognise the players, please leave their names in the comments section with reference to the photo number and we’ll update the captions. Thanks.