By Austin Zheng (14A01B)

A light drizzle fell over the stadium, but it did little to dampen the spirit of the players. Time and again, St. Andrews had bested them, and the Raffles ‘A’ Division Boys’ rugby team was out for vengeance, roaring their battle cries with grim faces and blazing eyes. This was, at its heart, a clash between the Saints and the Rafflesians, a grudge match between old rivals.

RI started the match and lost no time in launching a powerful offensive against the Saints, cutting off their attempts to struggle past the advancing line by sending them crashing to the ground. Unfortunately, while the team managed to clinch a penalty, their shot missed the goal, and the lightning alert siren granted the Saints a temporary reprieve.

After the short break, the Saints started the kick-off, but our line of defense held firm as we quickly regained possession of the ball. Even as our opponents tackled our players, we pushed them back, with the captain Matthew leading the charge. The team soon got another penalty kick, and this time, their aim was true, spurring wild cheers from the Raffles supporters as RI gained an early advantage, leading 3-0.

Our goal, however, had galvanised the Saints, who reorganised and consolidated their ranks. They put our team on the defensive, edging dangerously close to our goal line. After a grueling effort, the team managed to slowly reverse the Saints’ gains, bringing the match back to the midfield. The match grinded to a deadlock, with the ball changing possession with every passing moment, but with neither party able to capitalise on the opportunity.

Eventually, the Saints, being the more desperate side at this point, broke free from the deadlock, bulldozing their way through the pitch. Our team’s hasty, spirited defense fell short, however, as the Saints’ attack proved too incisive, winning –but thankfully missing– a penalty kick. Keeping up the pressure, they continued to blitz through the field, forcing a dramatic scrum right in front of our goal, bringing supporters from both sides to their feet. With a combination of grit, dexterity and sheer power, we managed to hold off the Saints, booting the ball back up the field and denying them a chance at our goal.

Throwing, battering, grappling, bashing, locking, shoving, tripping and head butting. Bruises, cuts, falls and sprains. This was war. It was possibly only the referee’s whistle for the half-time break that reminded us that this was also a game. The teams trudged back for a well-deserved rest, gearing up for the second half of the match.

Second Half

The Saints led an early charge this time, scrambling to level the score. Their efforts finally paid off, with the Saints equalising after a penalty kick. Our team was evidently exhausted, but there was a resolute glint in their eyes. There was no way we would throw away our early lead and allow the Saints to win. Yet our adversaries were on fire that day, quickly reversing our counteroffensives to threaten our goal in a matter of minutes. The impasse of the game’s first half had faded away, with the match entering a whole new level of speed and ferocity.

The Saints launched wave after wave of attacks, crashing against our defense. Finally, they found a gap in our line, prompting a solitary Saint to sprint over a full third of the field to score a precious try. A successful conversion brought the score to 10-3. The goal was not without its controversies, however, as the referee had allegedly allowed the Saints to maintain possession of the ball despite them apparently dropping it.

Nevertheless, the pressure was on Raffles now. The Saints seemed indefatigable, surging against our determined defenders to make another attempt at our goal. Undaunted, we fended them off and spearheaded some deadly charges of our own, turning the tide to put the Saints on the defensive. There was wild energy in their onslaught as they fought through scrum after scrum, wrestling right before the enemy goal in a reversal of the first half. The Saints blunted our offensive and brought the fight back to our half of the pitch. This was an epic tug-of-war, just that we were pushing instead of pulling.

Then –through the tussling and tumbling, through the reckless rampaging– the sharp shrill of the referee’s whistle. The game was over. The Saints had won by the agonizingly close score of 10-3, beating us by a single try. The Saints supporters streamed to the field as one to celebrate their victory. It was an exhausting, exhilarating battle, with both sides giving it their all.

Our team was slumped in disappointment after the match. Some players were crying. Such was the strength of their feeling; such was the meaning of the game. Never should we underestimate the emotion and intensity of sport. But they were not forgotten, they were not abandoned, with our valiant, valiant heroes receiving a standing ovation from supporters of both sides for their herculean efforts. They did not let us down; they did the school proud. What we remembered was not the loss, but the fight.

Rugby has been called a ruffian’s game played by gentlemen. Perhaps that is because the teams, at the end of the day, are able to shake hands and acknowledge each other’s tenacity, ability and hard work with silent respect. Next time, we will avenge ourselves. Next time, we will defeat the Saints. For now, though, let us remember –and celebrate– what is truly important: the courageous persistence, resoluteness and sportsmanship of our ruggers.

By Trung Huan Nguyen (14S05A)

Photographs by Faith Lim and Amanda Chin from Photographic Society

When Denise Lim fired the shot to draw RI level with HCI in the very last match of the Girls’ Squash A Division final, the noise emanating from the crowd of Hwa Chong supporters suddenly died down. Despite losing the first two sets 2-11 and 7-11, she was on the cusp of an unbelievable fight back. At the moment when Denise equalised 10-10 in the 4^th set, every single Rafflesian supporter was willing her on to close out the match.

Unfortunately, the RI girls’ squash’s fairy tale was ultimately left unfinished. The winning point of the match fell to Ruiting, an affirmation of the more consistent and confident playing style which the HCI team had adopted throughout the game. It was a well-deserved win for the HCI Girls’ Squash Team, who did incredibly well in their finals.

First Match

Our team did not get off to a good start, with Janie Siow facing Samantha from HCI in the first game. Throughout the game, Janie was kept on the defensive by Samantha’s powerful drives, dropping the first set 5-11 to her opponent.

Janie did better in the second set, attempting tricky drop shots which were difficult for her HCI counterpart to return. However, an inconsistent performance let Janie down, with HCI taking the next two sets 9-11 and 10-12, thus winning the match.

Second Match

RI fielded Kimberly Chan in the second match of the day, her calm and measured playing style a stark contrast to her opponent’s energetic runs. Unused to the aggressive strategy adopted by her opponent, Kimberly lost the first set 6-11.

The second set saw Kimberly stage a comeback. Despite trailing 4-8, she racked up multiple points in quick succession, ending the set 11-9 in our team’s favour.

However, as her opponent took control of the next set by a score of 4-11, Kimberly was under massive pressure to take the next set. It was a terse and intense set, with both players neck-to-neck. Kimberly eventually edged it out 12-10.

HCI managed to close out the match by winning the last set 7-11, with Kimberly’s opponent unsettling her with venomous strikes to the corner of the court. The overall score line: HCI 2, RI 0.

Third Match

Just as our supporters were about to throw in the towel, Cheryl Wong stepped up to in an attempt to turn the tide against HCI. In the first set, Cheryl raced to an early 4 point advantage, pressing home her early lead to take the first set 11-7.

Buoyed by her performance in the first set, Cheryl closed out the second set 11-2, giving her opponent no room to respond. However, a 5-point lead for HCI right from the start of the third worried many of our supporters. With the set point was called for HCI at 10-4, it took immense fortitude for Cheryl to fight back, winning 6 consecutive set points to even out the set at 10-10. In the subsequent tie-breaker, Cheryl buckled down to beat her opponent 13-10. Her joy was so overwhelming that she hugged her HCI counterpart as the match ended. It was a great show of persistence from Cheryl!

Fourth Match

As our Captain Melissa Foo strode onto the court, her presence seemed to worry her opponent. After several rallies, the difference between the two players became more and more stark. With a rapid-fire offensive strategy, Melissa quickly controlled the game, ending the first set after a mere 3 minutes with a score of 11-2.

The second set was more of the same, with Melissa pressing home her early 8 point lead by winning the set 11-2. Soon after, Melissa dominated the third set 11-1, recording an easy win for RI. The final between RI and HCI was now tied 2-2.

Fifth Match

Facing her rival Ruiting, whom she had lost to twice before, RI’s Denise Lim seemed to be confident before the decisive match started.

However, the first set went in HCI’s favour. Ruiting continuously drove the ball towards the dead corners, leaving Denise hardly any chance to return. The score of 2-11 for HCI deeply troubled the whole RI bench.

The second set was more balanced, as Denise directed the ball to different sides of the court, forcing her opponent to make desperate retrievals. The strategy managed to disrupt Ruiting’s playing style and limit the score line to 7-11, but was not enough for Denise to take the set. Employing this strategy in the third set, Denise stunned Ruiting 11-3, boosting her confidence as she moved to the fourth set of the game.

Unfortunately for our team, although Denise led Ruiting by 2 points early on in the fourth set, she was eventually beaten 10-12 by a dogged display from Ruiting. This marked the end of the girls’ squash final, with the championship title going to HCI by a razor-thin overall margin.

 Team captain, Melissa, was gracious in the defeat. When approached by Raffles Press, she said, “I really enjoyed the competition seasons because it was through the more intensive training sessions that my team got to spend more time together and bond with each other. I’ll never forget these good memories!” We would like to congratulate the girls’ squash team for their fighting spirit, and wish them the best of luck next year in wresting the title back from HCI.

By Trung Huan Nguyen (14S05A)

Photos by Sharlene Lee, Ding Lin of Photographic Society

Unfortunately for our Boys’ A Division squash team, the dream of clinching the championship title in national inter-schools competition had already slipped away when RI went up against perennial rivals Hwa Chong Institution in the 3^rd-4^th squash play-offs on Monday afternoon. Thankfully, our A Div Boys’ Squash team reaffirmed their strength and fighting spirit, securing solid a 4-1 victory over HCI to clinch third place, setting the stage for a title challenge next season.

First game

In the first match, we sent out Timothy Leong, arguably our best player on the day. Starting off with multiple hard-hitting shots, Timothy quickly gained an early 5 point advantage over his opponent from HCI. With his greater experience and skills, Timothy gradually took control of the game, overwhelming his HCI counterpart. The first set ended 11-1 for RI.

The game continued without much of a turning point. Timothy’s dominance, both in terms of technique and tactics left his opponent losing the second set 11-2, and 11-4 for the third. An overall score of 3-0 boosted our confidence as we moved into the toughest match of the game.

Second Game

Confronting the best player from HCI, Jun Yuan, Gabriel Ang faced the greatest challenge in the second game of the day.

The game got off pretty well with Gabriel taking an early lead. With his signature ‘nick’ shots, Gabriel occasionally wowed the crowd well-placed shots to the corners of the court, pushing his strong opponent into the defensive position. The first set ended with a score of 11-7 for RI.

However, as the second set began, the HCI player started to push up the game’s pace, using powerful shots to counter our player’s style. With better positioning, Jun Yuan managed to take the set 7-11.

In the final sets, our opponent showed more of his flair, manoeuvring his shots towards the dead corners of the court. With a more confident performance, Jun Yuan continued to win another 2 sets, ending the second game with the score line of RI 1-3 HCI, pulling back the overall score to a 1-1 tie.

Third Game

It was RI Captain Yang Zhe Shen’s turn to lead the way. By adopting an aggressive strategy, our opponent worried the RI supporters outside the court by striking the ball venemously towards the back corners, making it extremely difficult for Zhe Shen to return. However, with firm mental strength, Zhe Shen made a comeback and won the first set 11-8.

Zhe Shen went on to dominate the second set with a score of 11-2, finally ending the game with a score line of 11-8.

Fourth Game

This game pitted ex-national player and RI team member Warren Seow against current national player Jie Le from HCI. From the start, the game became a real feast for all the supporters as both players showcased their exceptional skills, fighting for every point. The first set went down to the wire, with the score reaching 10-10. The silence which engulfed both teams’ supporters was completely shattered when Warren won the 11^th point. Finally, a final shot to the far corner of the front wall, pulling off a ‘nick,’ put an end to the first set 12-10 in RI’s favour.

The game continued with both players going head-to-head in a remarkably tense atmosphere. Warren finally edged out Jie Le with score lines of 11-8 and 11-9. This marked the victory of RI’s team over HCI’s team in the 3^rd – 4^th play-off match.

Fifth Game

Our fifth, and also the final game with HCI, was taken by Joel Tang. Throughout the game, he maintained a consistent composure, keeping the ball low to the dead corners. However, his opponent tended to play a more aggressive game, creating multiple game-willing chances for Joel. Eventually, the game turned out to be a rather intense and exciting battle between the two players.

Multiple unforced errors by the HCI player, coupled with great accuracy and precision by Joel earned RI yet another win in the last game. The total score 3-0 (11-9, 11-5 and 11-8 respectively) ended the Boys’ squash 3^rd – 4^th placing match with victory given to RI’s team.

Final Words

When asked about our chances of winning next year, Team Captain Zhe Shen shared, “Squash is a unique sport in that while one person plays at a time, it is the whole team’s effort that makes a win.” Hence, our chances next year “depend on each person’s best effort which ultimately culminates to the team’s success.”

On behalf of the Boys’ Squash Team, Zhe Shen would like to, “firstly, thank God, secondly coach Mr. Allan Chang for dedicating time and effort to train us, teachers in-charge Mr. Venantius Chng and Ms. Praba Naidu for their fervent hard work in running the CCA, and all the squash CCA members for putting their best supporting the team.”

Raffles Press would like to once again congratulate Boys’ Squash Team for bringing home the 3^rd place trophy! We wish the team all the best for next year’s sports season.

 Raffles Press would like to thank William Leung from the RI Squash Team for helping with our match report, and the Photography Club for kindly contributing photographs of the match.