Story contributed by reader Winston Yao of ACS(Ind). Photos by reader Joshua Chan.

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Chay Sai Kin of ACS (in red) loses to Yoshiko Sianipar 8-21, 20-22 in the first singles match. (Photo 1 © Joshua Chan)

Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Monday, April 21, 2008 – In a tense final, Montfort Secondary edged out their opponents ACS(Independent) 4-1 to regain their C Division title which they had relinquished in 2007 to Raffles Institution. Contrary to what the score suggests, it was a tense and edgy match with an intense atmosphere generated by both sets of supporters.

In the first game, Chay Sai Kin, of ACS(Ind) entered the fray to face Yoshiko Alexander Sianipar of Montfort Secondary. Playing through illness, Sai Kin was easily dismantled in the first set through Yoshiko's deft flicks. Confessing to his teammates that he wanted to forfeit, he still played on in spite of his illness to embody the ACSian spirit of never giving up to force his opponents into silly mistakes. However, it was not to be as he eventually succumbed to Yoshiko 22-20 despite having a slender 3-point lead.

Next to battle was Takahiro Tan and Choo Wern Han of ACS versus Jamie Wong and Chay Jun Yang of Montfort. Spurred on by the 100 or so ACS supporters, Takahiro and Wern Han raced to a 5-point lead at the interval. However, Jamie and Jun Yang eventually regained their composure to take the first set 21-15. The second set was much like the same and after a long and tiring match, Jamie and Jun Yang eventually won 21-16, much to the delight of the many Sec 1 and 2 Montfort students present for the match.

With the knowledge that their captain and strongest doubles had already been defeated, it was time for Alton Chew of ACS(Ind) to step up. Losing only to Gerald Ong of the Singapore Sports School in the whole tournament, Alto was adamant that he would not lose. With the weight of expectation bearing down on him, he stepped up to easily beat Mohd Asraf in straight sets to give a glimmer of hope to ACS supporters. Buoyed by Alton's victory, ACS supporters were now in deafening mood.

Next up was the doubles pairing of Joshua Chan and Nicholas Seah of ACS against Reynaldi Setianto and Ricky Sidharta of Montfort. Reynaldi and Ricky easily swept Joshua and Nicholas Seah aside in the first set 21-9. However, in the second set, it was a different story as Joshua and Nicholas pushed themselves and fought for every point to take the lead. All hopes of a gallant ACS fight back was duly extinguished as they eventually went down 21-18.

With only pride left to play for, Kalesh S/O Kalaimani faced off against Wasin Wachiradilok. Making sure that he would not go down without a fight, Kalesh battled hard for every point but still eventually succumbed to his Thai opponent 2-1 to ensure that Montfort would maintain their record of 4-1 and 5-0 victories against their numerous opponents.

In other results, Montfort claimed a double when they defeated Singapore Sports School in the B Boys final and it was more heartbreak for the Singapore Sports School as they went down 1-3 in the B Girls final to Xinmin Secondary. Raffles Girls' School claimed the C Girls title after outplaying Nanyang Girls' School 4-1.

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Jamie Wong and Chay Jun Yang of Montfort beat Takahiro Tan and Choo Wern Han of ACS 21-15, 21-16 in the first doubles match. (Photo 2 © Joshua Chan)
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Alton Chew of ACS won his singles match to score a point for his team. (Photo 3 © Joshua Chan)
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Joshua Chan and Nicholas Seah of ACS (in red) went down to Reynaldi Yahya Setianto and Ricky Alverino Sidharta 21-9, 21-18 in the second doubles. (Photo 4 © Joshua Chan)
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Kalesh of ACS stretching for a point against Wasin Wachiradilok. He eventually succumbed 1-2. (Photo 5 © Joshua Chan)