POL-ITE Netball: Temasek Poly outclass Republic Poly 69-56 for sixth consecutive title

Story by Grace Sim/Red Sports. Photos by Low Hui Yu/Red Sports

Republic Polytechnic, Wednesday, October 19, 2011 — In a highly anticipated showdown, Temasek Polytechnic (TP) triumphed 69-56 over Republic Polytechnic (RP) to clinch their sixth consecutive Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) netball title.

Both teams had beaten the other four teams — Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), Singapore Polytechnic (SP), and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) — by a substantial margin. With the round-robin format and no semi-final and final matches, the game between the two would decide the championship winner.

Standing at 179cm tall, TP Goal Shooter Yu Meiling made it easy for her midfielders to connect with her from as far as the center third. A disappointing shooting performance left RP scrambling and TP led 21-8 at the first quarter break.

After failing to convert many of her shots, RP’s Nur Athirah Bte Zulkiffle moved to the defensive end in the second quarter and had better success at containing Yu with her lanky frame. RP finally found their momentum, matching their opponent goal for goal, narrowing the gap to nine at one point. RP trailed by less lopsided 23-38 at half-time.

RP continued to battle to close in, at times doubling up on Yu to pressure the circle and bring about turnovers. However, TP held their ground with Goal Attack and Captain Pamela Liew obliging with her shots when given opportunity.

With TP leading 54-40 going into the final quarter, RP were desperate to catch up. Zippy RP Wing Attack Kimberly Lim tried risky options to bring the ball to her shooters in the shortest time possible and RP Goal Shooter Jocelyn Ng attempted many long shots from the circle edge. Despite their efforts, it was too little too late as TP proved to be a cool customer under pressure. TP finished comfortable 69-56 winners.

It was icing on the cake for the TP Captain, Pamela Liew, as she celebrated her 20th birthday on the day of the competition.

Pamela exclaimed: “(I’m) very happy that we won. The team worked hard together (even though) we started training late.”

Surprised by the comfortable scoreline, TP’s coach Mary Lee added: “(Usually) the winner would only be determined at the last minute of the game. (The difference was that) we started the game very well and the girls pulled away from the start. They kept maintaining their focus and treasured their centre passes.”

In the other matches, NYP narrowly beat SP 30-23 in a low scoring match to land third place and NP beat ITE 76-31 to avenge themselves for last year’s loss.

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