Match Report: Table Tennis Finals

May 2nd, 2010 by CCA PRO

Remember what happened on a recent Friday, not too long ago?

The highly-anticipated clash of the titans between Singapore’s powerhouse colleges Hwa Chong Institution and Raffles Institution finally commenced on the 23^rd April, 2010, at Jurong East Sports Hall. Packed with supporters not only from both schools, we also had companions from our younger juniors hailing from Cedar Secondary, Anglican High, Maris Stella High and St Gabriel’s Secondary. All four blue tables set up in the middle of the huge indoor sports hall saw players from the different schools clamouring for every point to bring back the championships glory to their school. Spectators alike, were excited and apprehensive at the same time, desperately praying for the little orange ball to show a little more favouritism towards their schools.

Over at our side, Team Hwa Chong, donned in their red jerseys, were geared up for the first match against Team Raffles, who were in their white jerseys and luminous green and black shoelaces.

Guys Finals

First Singles: Jie Yan

Kick starting the first match and leading his team to the battlefield was Jieyan, as he carried the expectations of his teammates and instilled the first lethal dose of fear in his opponents. The first set started off with momentum as Jieyan swept the points easily with an 11-4 win and his opponent faced difficulties returning his killer shots. In the second set, Raffles picked up and closed the gaping chasm between their abilities by chasing the score to 6-7. But Jieyan sealed the win with a score of 11-6. The beginning of the third set saw Raffles delivering a vicious smash and clinching the first point. An intense match ensued between the two as Raffles claimed the third set with an 11-7 win. The fourth set then went to Jieyan as he performed magnificent saves against the vicious smashes delivered by Raffles, which Raffles failed to return thereafter. The set then went to Jieyan 11-6, bringing home the first point to Hwa Chong.

First set: 11-4

Second set: 11-6

Third set: 7-11

Fourth set: 11-6

Overall: HCI win 3-1

First Doubles: Mark, Chun Kai

The duo comprising of Mark and Chun Kai took off with a lead of 8-3, before clinching 11-5 for the first set. As the second set went underway, both teams were plagued with a curse of a frustrating game of point-by-point with ties starting from 10-10, 11-11, all the way to 15-15. Hwa Chong eventually broke off from the shackles of the curse and claimed the win with a score of 17-15, amidst the cheers from the supporters and the team. Raffles then upped their tempo in the third set, leading 6-2. The set eventually went to Raffles, 11-7. Fourth set began with the curse befalling both teams again as they were tied at 3-3, and Mark and Chun Kai stumbled in holding off their opponents, losing the set 6-11. With the last deciding set, Mark and Chun Kai displayed great tenacity in the face of adversities and satisfied the team’s expectations by clinching 11-6.

First set: 11-5

Second set: 17-15

Third set: 7-11

Fourth set: 6-11

Fifth set: 11-6

Overall: HCI win 3-2

P.S. Look at Mark's hair

Second Singles: Jia Yang

Pitting himself a lanky, bespectacled opponent, Jia Yang remained undaunted and executed his attacks swiftly and mercilessly, winning the first set 11-9. Displaying his accurate chops and spin balls which proved difficult for his opponent to return, Raffles however, managed to turn the tables around and clinched the second set 11-6. Jia Yang showed tremendous efforts in saving the balls in the third set, as he leapt to save the ball from side to side, a great distance away from the small blue table. Despite his attempts to clinch the fourth set with some fantastic shots, the point eventually went to Raffles as the game concluded in the fourth set.

First set: 11-9

Second set: 6-11

Third set: 6-11

Fourth set: 4-11

Overall: RI win 3-1

Second Doubles: Kenneth, Zi Wai

The first set was a close one which saw ties standing at 3-3, 5-5. However, Hwa Chong committed some mistakes as the ball was hit into the net, and Raffles won the first set 11-6. The pair from Raffles maintained their standards in the second set too, executing some fantastic swift saves as they were constantly in the lead, from 7-4 to 9-6. Besides their accurate saves, Raffles also delivered some killer smashes which were difficult to return, and the second set also went to Raffles 11-7. In the third set, Kenneth and Zi Wai picked up their speed and saved some shots which were meant to kill, leaving the spectators flabbergasted with their impressive shots. The game, however, went to Raffles 11-7, as they clinched the second point. This meant that the score was at a nerve-wrecking 2-2, where the third singles from both colleges were locked in a life-and-death struggle that would ultimately determine the fate of their schools.

First set: 6-11

Second set: 7-11

Third set: 7-11

Overall: RI win 3-0

Third Singles: Yun Hao

As the only table left standing in the hall with the outcome undecided, all attention was diverted to the Hwa Chong versus Raffles deciding match for victory, and the prevailing silence was laced with fear as everyone pined for the sweet glory for their schools. With the beginning of the first service, every point fought was held in the hall of complete silence, and the sound of the little orange ball tapping from side to side of the table was reverberating throughout the hall, juxtaposed to the furious pounding of hearts in the players and supporters. As both players vie for that valient last point, Raffles proved to be stronger in the first set, easily clinching the set 11-3. The second set was definitely an eye-opener for most who were present, as both players were constantly smashing the ball, hoping to gain the points. Yunhao was more apt, leading the second set 3-0. However, as his Raffles opponent chased up, the game tempo was upped as there were ties standing at 5-5, 9-9 and eventually 10-10. Raffles then broke off and won the second set 12-10.

It was a stiffening and petrifying atmosphere for the third set, as the championship title would have gone to Raffles if he had won the third set. Intensive gameplay ensued as every ball was played with determination and conviction. Yunhao was seen more ferocious and vicious with his shots, with the score 9-6 favouring HCI. Raffles caught up to 9-10, but Yunhao was merciless this time, sealing the set with an 11-9 win. As the fourth set commenced, Yunhao was in the lead 5-3, his face displaying courage and determination, the desire to win burning brightly in his eyes. He definitely displayed this bleeding desire to win, and eventually clinched an easy 11-6 win over Raffles.

In the last concluding set, which set the stage for the grand championship titles, Raffles began by leading 3-1. However, at the halfway mark and change of sides, Yunhao was leading 5-4, and lead up to 8-7. Yet Raffles was tenacious enough to chase the score 8-8, then 9-9, and a similar situation was encountered again as he finally won 11-9. Raffles broke through the barricades surrouding the table, embracing their Raffles hero and exuberant over their win. Hwa Chong on the other hand, was disappointed, yet the guy paddlers showed great team spirit by supporting each other and congratulating themselves for all the hard work, blood and sweat they’ve put in after so many months, and to have come thus far. Supporters alike, were proud of our Hwa Chong paddlers, and we all gave a standing ovation for our brave warriors.

First set: 3-11

Second set: 10-12

Third set: 11-9

Fourth set: 11-6

Fifth set: 11-9

Overall: RI win 3-2

Girls Team

First Singles: Huiqi

Over at the girls’ table, female paddler Huiqi was the first to take on Raffles. Throughout the four sets played, Huiqi was constantly maintained great composure and used her skilled tactics to take on her opponent. As compared to the guys who were swift in their kills, the girls took another approach and went with long rallies to tire their opponent out and eventually delivering the killer shot to earn the points. In the first set, Huiqi got off to a headstart and Raffles succumbed to her 6-11. It was then a case of deja vu as Huiqi also won the second set 11-6. In the third set, Huiqi’s opponent started attacking Huiqi’s backhand, gaining many points through this tactic and obtained victory, 11-9, in the third set. However, Huiqi once again dominated the third set, winning 11-6 over her opponent once again.

First set: 11-6

Second set: 11-6

Third set: 9-11

Fourth set: 11-6

Overall: HCI win 3-1

First Doubles: Althea, Yingxin

Althea and Yingxin began with a two-point lead of 7-5, but failed to maintain the record and allowed the win to swing over to Raffles, as Raffles caught up 8-8 and gained the upper hand 11-8. In the second set, Althea and Yingxin gave potentially vicious smashes, paving the way 5-3. However, at timeout the score stood at 5-5, and Hwa Chong had to endure a stagnant period, allowing Raffles many chances and winning 11-5. The commencement of the third set saw Raffles viciously dominating the set, and Hwa Chong only managed to earn 1 point before the eventual point went to Raffles 11-1.

First set: 8-11

Second set: 5-11

Third set: 1-11

Overall: RI win 3-0

Second Singles: Kaiying

Smashing her way through the first set, Raffles was obviously intimidated by Kaiying’s merciless stance and failed to hold up her defences, losing 6-11. Kaiying displayed no hints of fatigue at all as the second set went underway, but Raffles upped the tempo and led 6-2. Despite catching up with 6 points, Kaiying lost the second set 8-11. As the sets were played point-by-point, Kaiying was definitely commended for her strong determination, and her quick thinking on her feet. Raffles won the third set 11-9, but the score in the fourth set drew even closer, as Kaiying played with wits and patience. As the score stood at 10-8 favouring Raffles, Kaiying refused to give up, chasing up to 10-10, and then to a crucial score 11-11. Yet, the match was won by Raffles 13-11.

First set: 11-6

Second set: 8-11

Third set: 9-11

Fourth set: 11-13

Overall: RIwin 3-1

Second Doubles: Samantha, Mavis

Raffles reigned supreme in the first set, leading 5-1 and clinching the set 11-9. Quick exchanges occurred between the two pairs and Samantha and Mavis had excellent partnership and played in tandem with each other. The second set went to Raffles with an 11-6 win. In the third set, Samantha and Mavis brought the scores closer, and made efforts to lunge for the balls with fantastic display of footwork. The score was tied at 9-9, and both players tried to bridge the gap, bringing the score 10-10 and held the win 13-11. Both teams refused to budge in the fourth set, and at 7-7, Raffles actually gained 4 points in a row, winning 11-7. The girls from Raffles were indeed jubilant with the win over the last set, as the match concluded, the championship title going to Raffles.

First set: 9-11

Second set: 6-11

Third set: 13-11

Fourth set: 7-11

Overall: RIwin 3-1