By Marvin Lowe
Zheng Zhen, the Captain and stand-in GK for RGS, jumping to block a shot. (Photo 1 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Yishun Sports Hall, Tuesday, March 10, 2009 – CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) dethroned defending champions Raffles Girls’ School 35-18 to capture the South Zone Netball Championship title. Having lost the final last year to RGS, CHIJ proved too strong this year with a convincing margin of victory.
CHIJ took control of the game right from the start, pressurising RGS into turnovers. Passes that were sent swiftly to CHIJ Goal Shooter Vanessa were dispatched with clinical finishing to ensure that CHIJ ended the first quarter with a commanding 8-3 lead.
RGS were sorely missing the services of their regular GK Amalina who was out injured. Standing in her place was RGS captain Zheng Zhen who plays WD usually. Together with her vice-captain Grace Seow at GD, they tried their best to prevent the CHIJ onslaught but CHIJ still entered the break with a comfortable 10-point lead at 19-9.
Despite the lead, CHIJ were relentless in their attacks. They further extended their lead in the third quarter to leave RGS with an uphill task and it was therefore no surprise that CHIJ finished the game in style with a 17-point victory.
RGS GA Jia Ming hangs on to the ball. (Photo 2 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
CHIJ GS Vanessa leaps for the ball. (Photo 3 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Zheng Zhen dishing out a pass after an interception. (Photo 4 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
CHIJ WA Petrina Chia calls for the ball and gets it. (Photo 5 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
RGS GD Grace Seow jumps to block a pass. (Photo 6 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
RGS WD Foo Yi Hui leaps from behind to tap the ball. (Photo 7 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Vanessa prepares to shoot despite a defensive distraction. (Photo 8 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
CHIJ GK Jaime Seah knocks the ball away from RGS GS Wan Ting with a powerful challenge. (Photo 9 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Petrina Chia is surprised at a mishandled pass. (Photo 10 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
RGS GD Grace jumps to block a shot from CHIJ. (Photo 11 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
RGS C Jing Han receiving a pass. (Photo 12 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Players from both teams jumping for a rebound. (Photo 13 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
RGS GK Zheng Zhen tries to knock the ball away from CHIJ GS Vanessa. (Photo 14 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
CHIJ GK Jaime Seah attempting to knock the ball out of Jia Ming’s hands. (Photo 15 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
RGS GA Wan Ting jumps and catches the ball. (Photo 16 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
RGS GA Wan Ting leaping to block a pass. (Photo 17 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
RGS GD Grace trying to cut out the passing routes for CHIJ. (Photo 18 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
CHIJ GA Petrina fails to hang on to a difficult pass. (Photo 19 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
CHIJ GK Jaime takes a powerful swipe at the ball. (Photo 20 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
CHIJ C Diandra holds on to a pass. (Photo 21 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
A CHIJ player hugs her teacher in joy and relief. (Photo 22 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
WHOOOO! IJ!!
the black things around their ankles are the ankle guards, to support their ankles from their old injuries
the black things are ankle guards or ankle braces.
not all netballers wear it! but most usually do, to prevent ankle injuries (;
i wanted to ask this question for a long long time. why is it that all netball girls wear two black things around their ankles? what is it exactly?
Th teacher th chij player hugged is Ms Champion. Name so kewl right ! (;
YAY~!
go girls~!
oops…hahaha. updated.=)
Hi Marvin, Thanks for story.
Are there supposed to be two extra pics? Picture 13, 14 are missing.