By Nguyen Trung Huan (14S05A)

Photos by Nicholas Koh (Photographic Society)

The domination of RI’s Girls’ A Division Water Polo Team in the inter-school circuit was once again reaffirmed after the final today at MOE Co-Curricular Activities Branch. The total score of 11 – 5 against Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) this morning marked the 6^th consecutive year of our water polo girls’ victory.

Yet, the complacency was not to be found on the familiar faces of the RI team. The team received their last instructions from Coach Lim Yao Xiang during the team talk with an intensity of demeanour that revealed the pressure on them.

The match started with little hesitation from both teams. Numerous fouls were made by both sides from the first minutes of the game, bringing the action to a boil under the water. However, the early advantage was quickly claimed by RI when Ida Mariah De Veirno sent the ball into HCI’s cage after an organised attack. Struck by the first-minute goal, coupled with non-stop cheering from RI’s supporters, HCI lost their calm and conceded 3 more goals, and lost a man-up with 6 v 4, after two players from RI made major fouls. However, the HCI team began to regain their cool towards the end of the quarter. The first quarter ended with a long-range cannon by the HCI’s ‘point’, leaving the spectators with an expectation of a more exciting 2^nd quarter.

After the first break, RI adopted a more pressing and aggressive style of play, forcing their opponents to use long passes and giving themselves more opportunities at the goal. However, RI supporters’ Oohs became Ahs as opportunity after opportunity failed to turn into a point for the team – until Teo Jing Wen broke the streak with a magnificent shot into the top corner of HCI’s cage. The 2^nd quarter also saw a star player emerging from RI team, Neo Ser Han. She cruised through HCI’s defence, terrifying the defenders with decisive turns and powerful cannon shots into the corners. The skills of HCI’s goalkeeper, however, helped HCI survive RI’s rapid strikes; RI scored only once more in the quarter which went to an end when the score reached 6 – 3 for RI.

The 3^rd quarter began with a powerful shot from the HCI centre-man. As the ball hit the bar, RI team seemed to become more focused, and they had a monopoly on the ball towards the end of the quarter. They scored 3 goals in succession, making 9 – 3.

Despite having little time left, HCI team got the ball rolling in the last quarter with immense determination, while the RI team kept calm, making more short passes and maintaining possession. A superb long shot by Neo Ser Han marked the end of the final for both teams, affirming the scoreboard with an 11-5.

Ser Han said, ‘I am tired but really happy right now! We have lived up to our team’s expectations!’

When asked whether the victory today was an easy win, team Captain Rachel Tay responded, “Both teams put up a really good fight. Hwa Chong played really well, but the better team emerged victorious.” She added, “When Hwa Chong scored two goals consecutively in the 2^nd quarter, we were slightly demoralised but we didn’t let it affect us, and just carried on with the game. And it ended well!”

The victory of Girls’ Water Polo Team ended the water polo season in a bright light: bronze for boys and gold for girls. Read our report of the boys match here!

Thank you to Lim Tse Jean for providing information.

By Lee Chin Wee and Jeremy Khoo (14A01B)

“Hold the ball! Slow the play down!” The throaty instructions of both RI’s and SAJC’s water polo coaches could be heard throughout the ASC(I) swimming complex, as the A Division boys’ water polo 3rd-4th placing match got underway. The RI A Division boys’ team had lost narrowly to both HCI and ACJC in the previous rounds, two closely fought matches which denied them a chance of defending their title in the final. However, the team was fully prepared to end the season with a medal, and secure a top 3 finish for the school.

Both teams wasted no time in trying to assert an early advantage, with numerous attempts on goal and energetic bursts of swimming which drew appreciative applause from the handful of spectators present. Unfortunately for the Rafflesian supporters, SAJC managed to edge out the first two tightly-contested quarters of play, heading into the second break holding a slim 6-4 lead over RI.

In the third quarter, RI played a slower passing game, moving the ball around the attacking half of the pool. They were rewarded for their work, with Kelvin Zhou beating the SAJC keeper with an effort from range to score the last goal of the quarter, narrowing the deficit to 8-7.

With the game poised at 9-9, it was up to extra time to decide the match. Team captain Bryan Ong led by example, netting an accurate shot in the first half of extra time. With RI leading the match by a single point heading into the second half of extra time, it set up a nail-biting finish to the match, which saw SAJC pelting multiple shots toward goal every time they had the chance. However, RI held on to their narrow lead till the end of the match, claiming a very well-deserved win.

Bryan, who led the RI team to their comeback victory, said, “I’m very proud of the team for playing their hearts out and winning when the odds were stacked against us. We didn’t lose our cool, didn’t panic and played like champions. Even though we did not get to emulate the form of our seniors in previous years, we finished today with no regrets. Couldn’t have done it without each and every one’s efforts today.”

Raffles Press would like to congratulate the A Division Boys’ water polo team on their hard fought victory, clinching third place by a single point in what was an exhilarating match. We would also like to wish all other students the best of luck during this inter-schools season, and hope to be reporting on even more success in the months to come.