CHIJ (Toa Payoh) and Nanyang Girls’ through to B Division netball semi-finals

Story by REDintern Alethia Tiang. Photos by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports.

Republic Polytechnic, Monday, April 13, 2009 – CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) beat Nanyang Girls’ High 41-20 in a National B Division Netball quarter-final match.

However, both teams were already through to the semi-final stage even before the game. CHIJ Secondary, having beaten Raffles Girls’ and Cedar Girls’, was the first team from Group X to qualify for the semi-finals. Nanyang Girls’ qualified for the semi-finals in second spot in Group X, edging out Raffles Girls’ School on goal difference.

Nanyang did a good job of keeping up with CHIJ who were last year’s first runners-up in the national championship. It looked like it could be any team’s game, with CHIJ narrowly ahead of Nanyang Girls’ High 10-7 after the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Nanyang trying their best to pressure the CHIJ girls who were undaunted and put up a strong defence to counter Nanyang. CHIJ then turned the pressure on Nanyang to end the quarter leading 18-11.

By the third quarter, the game was in the bag for CHIJ who still maintained their concentration. As much as Nanyang did their best to pressure them, CHIJ put on a strong and swift attacking and defensive display.

Nanyang tried to match CHIJ but were called out many times for stepping fouls. The third quarter saw CHIJ take a 31-13 lead into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Nanyang managed to fight back by scoring the first three goals which gave their supporters something to cheer about. CHIJ generosity did not extend further and they replied with three goals without reply.

With aggression building up, more contact fouls were called. A play got so aggressive at one point that the net was moved out of position.

However, CHIJ proved the stronger team and they ended the game 41-20 victors.

Both CHIJ Secondary and Nanyang Girls’ won their respective zonal championships this year. CHIJ Secondary have remained unbeaten throughout the zonal and national championships have qualified easily for the semi-finals.

Nanyang had to defeat CHIJ Secondary today in order to confirm a position in the semi-finals. With their loss, they had to watch and wait while their closest opponents from Raffles Girls’ School battled against Cedar Girls’ in the later game. With RGS only managing a close win, Nanyang made it through to the semi-finals on goal difference.

The semi-finals will be held this Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 at Bedok Sports Hall with Nanyang facing the Singapore Sports School and CHIJ with Dunman Secondary.

Editor's note: If you recognise yourself or your teammates in any of the photos, please feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update accordingly. Thanks.