Story and pictures contributed by reader Marvin Lowe
Kallang Squash Centre, Monday, April 28, 2008 – In a clash of the titans, Hwa Chong toppled five-time defending champions Raffles Junior College 5-0 in the girls’ A Division Squash Championship Finals. RJC has held the top spot since 2003 and entered the finals as the hot favourite to retain its title.
In the first match, Pamela Chua from RJC faced off against Nicole Chua from HCI. Nicole took firm control of the game to win it with ease in straight sets (9-1, 9-5, 9-5). This set the tone for HCI as they gained an early advantage with this victory. RJC looked set to respond with their top seed Rebecca expected to beat her HCI opponent, Rui Ling. Rebecca started the match brightly, taking the first set easily 9-1 but Rui Ling fought back to level the game by taking the second set 9-4. Rebecca then regained the advantage by winning the third set 9-4 to set herself up for an expected victory.
However, things did not go to plan.
Rui Ling clawed her way back again by stunning Rebecca with a 9-3 win in the fourth set to level at 2-2. This clearly shook Rebecca up and she became even more nervous as they entered the rubber set. It was down to the one who could hold their nerves best to win the game. What made the match all the more fascinating was the fact that Rui Ling was Rebecca’s junior from SCGS. Rebecca failed to keep her composure which led to errors and allowed Rui Ling to claim a comeback victory to shock RJC. HCI with an unexpected 2-0 lead were now in an excellent position to wrap up the title if they could win the next match.
The third match saw Michelle Lee take on Zeslene Mao from RJC with Zeslene needing to win to keep RJC’s title hopes alive. However, Michelle surprised everyone by running off with the first two sets, 9-6, 9-3. The title hope for RJC seemed really dim now and perhaps the knowledge that HCI still had two better players on their team list was in the back of her mind. Zeslene fought back to take a set back but she eventually lost out to Michelle to hand the title over to HCI. HCI then continued to wrap up their victory in style by winning the last 2 matches courtesy of Jillian Lye and Kimbery Chew for a 5-0 whitewash of RJC. The depth of the team was evident as they won all five matches, making them deserving champions.
Hwa Chong is currently coached by former national squash champion Zainal Abidin and he has instilled a renewed sense of belief and purpose amongst his players this year. The victory was undoubtedly sweet and he duly credited all his players for their hard work and determination. “I told them, ‘Nothing is impossible and no one is unbeatable’,” said Coach Zainal Abidin. “It was important that we seized the early lead and keep our composure. The girls managed to do so and I am very proud of them.”
MICHELLE’S TOTALLY HOT!
Alright! Hwachong! Great job with winning the title again! Train hard under Coach Zainal and inspire our juniors to do so too!
– HCI squash – 2005-2006
this article is so flawed.
rebecca ng is not RJ’s top seed.
their top seed is pamela chua, the first player.
and hwachong was certainly not the underdogs in this finals. nicole chua, the captain and first player, is currently singapore women’s number 2. so other than one another lady, she is virtually untouchable in singapore.
Becky’s really hot
Hey Marvin,
Thanks. I would have given anything to have been able to watch that match. Its a pity I am half the world away from her at this point in time.
Chuan Wei
Hey Chuan Wai,
Indeed you should be proud of your sister. She’s a real gutsy fighter!! It was a fascinating match between Ruiling and Becky. Really awesome to watch her come back from behind to win the game. Fairytale finish.=)
I am so proud of my sister. Her name is Ruiling. She is my hero.
But kudos to Rebecca too.
well done HC!
becky and kimby are the best!