Match Report: Netball Girls HCI vs ACJC
May 23rd, 2010 by CCA PRO21 May 2010
The Hwa Chong Netball girls went to the finals as underdogs, tipped to lose to ACJC in humiliating fashion. But boy, could they have been more wrong than that. Our Netball girls showed the ACJCians what it truly meant to be a Hwachongian. With their spirit overflowing throughout the whole match, they made ACJC fight for every single inch on the court, every single touch of the ball, every single jump for possession. So high was the intensity of the match that a total of 3 players from both sides got cramps. Yet our girls got back up stronger and better. Nothing can describe the feeling that everyone in Yishun Sports Hall felt, simply because these kinds of moments do not happen often in one’s life.
1st quarter
The first half of the quarter saw our netball girls equal their opponents, with Hwa Chong constantly right behind ACJC in scoring points. AC may have scored the first 4 points, but our girls definitely made their mark when they settled into the game. 9 minutes into the 1st quarter, Goal Attack Sharon fully analyses the field of play with a quick glance, before initiating a lethal team play that left all the ACJC players running helplessly for the ball. 20 seconds later, Sharon intercepts a pass and wastes no time to shoot and close the gap to 7-9. Sensing a defeat was becoming a possible result, the AC netballers upped their tempo. Their game plan of feeding high balls to their very tall and strong Goal Shooter Natalie was a tough force to negate, let alone weaken. Standing at about 177cm, she was by far taller than her markers. Her physical presence was unrivalled. Realising that it was near futile to try and stop the ACJC GS, our girls decided to concentrate on their offence. Despite their best efforts, it simply was not our girls’ day as their shots simply refused to get in. By the end of the 1st quarter, Hwa Chong was down 8-16.
2nd and 3rd quarter
Look at the scoreboard, and you would think that the 2nd quarter was slightly worse than the 1st quarter. Look at the way our girls fought, and you realise that after every fall, our girls got back up stronger and hardier than ever. It truly is a case of learning from everyone. 1.40 minutes into the game, Goal Attack Sharon executes a beautiful fake shot before passing to our Goal Shooter who just can’t miss after that hiatus. The world is unfair;having spirit does not necessarily mean you will win, not having spirit does not necessarily mean you will lose. The former was experienced by our netballers. Yet they persevered all the way, knowing that it is better to fall down fighting than to just kneel with the surrender flag raised.
4rd quarter
With ACJC up 46-20, chances of our girls winning were near zero. Nevertheless they continued to fight for every single ball. The dynamic duo of Goal Keeper Yun Zhen and Yu Xuan locked down the previously very active ACJC Goal Shooter Natalie. Center Cheryl closed down and harrassed every single opponent to lose control of the ball. Her dogged determination emitted an aura(I’m serious) that sent shivers down everybody’s spine. Wing Defence Cherynn kept burning and ripping the ACJC flanks with her unpredictable twists and turns and accurate cross court passes.Goal Shooter Jaime was in predator mode, scoring nearly every single time she got the ball. All these moments give very little room for another equally amazing moment to have occurred. Yet there is one that really summed up our girls’ game today. During the final seconds of the game, Goal Attack Sharon fought for possession twice and jumped out of boundaries twice to save the ball and pass it to her teammate. The ball did not go in. But the fact that she was fighting so hard till the very very end even though she knew they had lost is reveals to everyone the champions in them all.
ACJC may have beaten us this year. They are deserving of being champions. But there is one thing that no one can beat our netball girls in, an undying spirit, and for that, you will always be CHAMPIONS IN OUR HEARTS.
Interview with J3 Netball Senior Charlene
Q: Do you have any comments about the game?
A: Simply, it was a really really tough fight.
Q: Any comments about the performances of your juniors?
A: You all should be more consistent in shooting points and have a clearer line of attack. On an individual note, Sharon’s fighting spirit is highly (x10000000) admirable. She managed to survive through 2 brutal collisions with the ACJC Goal Defence. Wing Attack Jiemin was very stable and a reliable feeder.
Q: Anything you would like to say to your juniors?
A: To be able to make it into the finals again after 2 years….a good fight 
No matter what do know that we seniors love you and are proud of you. Tough times dont last forever, tough people do. Thats Hwa Chong.
This team only happens once, treasure the time we have together.
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