By REDintern Jasmine Goh. Photos by REDintern Rebekah Abbott

NUS_NTU_IVP_NETBALL_FINALS_01

NUS (blue bibs) outlasted NTU to win the IVP netball title. (Photo 1 © REDintern Rebekah Abbott)

aquarius ad redsports


Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Friday, January 17, 2013 – The National University of Singapore (NUS) defeated Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 49–48 to defend their Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Netball Championship title.

This was the third title for NUS in the last 13 IVP seasons, while NTU have been champions nine times in the same period.

Both teams had met previously in the gold medal match in the Singapore University Games (SuniG) Netball Championship, where NUS took home the title after defeating NTU 56–36.

“It was very close, the match was very tight from the start,” said NTU Captain Xin Yi.

Despite the swift attacking manoeuvres by NUS, Ng Si Ying (GK) and Koh Hih Ann (GD) of NTU executed excellent zone defence, thwarting their attempts.

With only one point separating the teams at the end of each quarter, tensions were high.

The final quarter was the most intense as both sides felt the pressue, and the supporters went ballistic with thunderous cheers when their team’s shooter potted in their shots.

With less than a minute left on the clock, NUS led 49–47.

A successful high lob to capitalise on the height of Rajani (GS) of NTU saw her score to narrow the deficit to one point (48–49) but it was too late.

At the final whistle, the NUS bench erupted as the players celebrated their second consecutive final win.

Cheryl Lee, captain of NUS said, “We lost to NTU in the beginning but we settled down towards the end and played a more composed game. Our attack was much smoother after that.”

Commenting on her opponents play, she said, “NTU put on a very good fight and it was very tight until the final whistle. Their shooters were very stable and each time I saw the ball went in, I’m just like ‘Oh my god!’”

Score by Quarter
NUS vs NTU
1st Q: 10–14
2nd Q: 15–10 (25–24)
3rd Q: 12–12 (37–36)
4th Q: 12–12 (49–48)
Final Score: 49–48

NUS Team Roster
Lye May Yee Jaime, Lee Xin Yi Cheryl, Carmen Goh Jia Man, Ang Qing Ying, Grace Seow Hui En, Seah Yun Zhen, Chin Yu Xuan, Koh Hui Ti Christina, Pua Shu Min Sara, Lee Si Ni, Hong Li Xin Jaime, Lim Di Xun, Seow Limin Averilyn, Tan Ming Zhen

NTU Team Roster
Yeo Jie Min, Cherie Choo Xiu Min, Tan Ci Hui, Xie Hui Qi Brenda, Chin Le Estee, Tan Yen Hui, Tan Jia Ning Jane, Koh Hin Ann, Aow Ci Hui, Rima Yanti Binte Fauzi, Ranjani Rajenthiran, Ng Si Ying, Chia Jing Yi Shannon, Low Yi Lun

2014 IVP Netball Championship – fixtures and results

More photos next page