Story by Chan Hui Mui/Red Sports

In an unpredictable second round of the West Zone B Division Netball Championship, defending champions Bukit Panjang Government High have found themselves knocked out of the competition. River Valley High, Nanyang Girls’ High, Clementi Town Secondary and Nan Hua High successfully advanced to the semi-finals.

Placed in Group X, Bukit Panjang Government High narrowly lost 30-31 to Clementi Town in their first game. In their second, Bukit Panjang played Nan Hua to an exciting 26-all draw, with both teams trading leads at regular intervals before a nail-biting finish to the game.

Bukit Panjang needed Clementi Town to beat Nan Hua in order to qualify for the semi-finals. However, Clementi Town could not overcome Nan Hua and lost the match 24-29, leaving Bukit Panjang out of the competition.

In Group Y, River Valley High and Nanyang Girls’ High had no difficulty qualifying for the semi-finals. A stroke of bizarre coincidence saw Nanyang and River Valley playing to a 26-all draw as well.

Nanyang held a six-point lead at the end of the third quarter, but River Valley High made a valiant comeback in the final quarter to level the game 26-26 in the last minute.

Nanyang’s Goal Shooter, Ulander, had a final chance to win the game just before time expired. However, she missed the crucial shot and the game finished in a draw. Nanyang finished second to River Valley in the group on goal difference.

Nanyang will now face Nan Hua High while River Valley will take on Clementi Town in the semi-finals.