Photo Courtesy of www.turbosquid.com

Sun, Feb 3, 9am – 2pm

Squash Prelims, 31st January

Photo Courtesy of KE Photographers

Males KE vs TH : 5 - 0

Females KE vs TH : 4 - 1

Article coming soon…..See you guys at the Semis on 3rd February!

Pubz Comm Reporter: Matilda Lee

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Love is a game for the heart.

Love for the game; love for the ball which determines the game; love for the racquet that your wrist controls; love for your team mates that support you through each win and failure.

The squash court is simple - walls with sharp red lines drawn across; lines that guide yet warn. Strong glass panels cordoning out those not in the game are in fact windows to the players’ souls as they express their passions and determination.

Our female squash team started the game with an impressive start. Yee Lin and Janice both trashed their Eusoff counterparts in less than twenty minutes combined. It was an exhibition of spectacular smashes and unbelievable saves that left the supporters in awe. The scores were not announced to the supporters.

I watched, soaking in the scent of stale sweat, damp armpits and doggy bagged food, in anticipation as the hard black ball flew across the court and ricocheted off walls in sheer rapidity. As a person who has never played the game, it was all a little confusing watching the ball pass hands so quickly. Still the quick footing and strong strokes of the players was oddly aesthetically appealing against the white washed background of the courts. They were very much like dancers, but with much more force and purpose.

Sadly, we lost the next three games, in which Lu Wei, Irene and Sakshi put up a good fight. Both teams were pitched at rather equal levels, but unfortunately fate had made up its mind and the fighting chance we were handed did not end very well.

Nevertheless, the girls possessed good sportsmanship and courage. The squash team is obviously a close knitted one, with no arguments despite the tense atmosphere that precedes and lasts throughout all sporting competitions. I was impressed by the way they pulled aside their players before each game to psyche them up and offer kind words of advice.

Amidst the tossing of water bottles to players and the episodic cheers and claps, I watched a truly heart capturing round of squash. Through the looking glass, very much like Alice did, those who were there with the team, for the team, would have seen a myriad of emotions – joy, frustration, disappointment, glee, and just a tad of Schadenfreude.

And just like Alice had, we all learnt something. Still, what each individual takes away from playing or watching a match is different…a complex interwoven mix of revelations that will only sort itself out into more complicated but stark truths when time erodes all the tangles.

KE7 applauds the girls for their valor and hopes to see more of their radiant smiles.

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We look forward to the Men’s semifinals and wish them all the best.

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KE 3-2 EH

29^th January 2008: The newly renovated squash courts at the SRC were abuzz with excitement earlier this evening as this year’s squash IHG kicked off to a start. Amongst the crowd were defending champions KE 7, with spanking new red-and-white jerseys and a slew of supporters to boot. Our squad included championship-winning veterans from last year interspersed with some fresh new blood. Most notably, last year’s team coach Sean donned KE colours and made his debut for the hall today- as team captain no less. The KE 7 boys have been training intensively over the past weeks and feel the weight of responsibility to the hall and themselves to keep KE’s flag flying high.

This reporter managed to catch team member and JCRC President Raymond Lim just before the opening match in which he would be up against Eusoff’s Seng Tuck. Raymond appeared to be just a little anxious yet exuded a quiet confidence as he told me that Eusoff was indeed a formidable team, so our boys would have to give their 100% to win today. Within minutes, Raymond was on court, warming up for the first match.

KE or EH, who would draw first blood?

The answer was quite simply, KE. In a match that lasted a grand total of 10 or maybe 12 minutes, Raymond annihilated his opponent 9-0, 9-0. Clean powerful strokes, utter focus and determination are key features of Raymond’s gameplay which shone through as he put KE on the scoreboard: 1-0.

Up next was Christopher Tham, coincidentally playing against another Christopher from EH. The KEVIIan Christopher’s squash finesse and impeccable ball placement overwhelmed his opponent. He won every point of the first set making it 9-0. In the second set, Chris’s concentration wavered and after a series of unforced errors he found himself down 2-3. There was a struggle as the two Chris’es fought for control of the game and soon enough the score was level at 5-5. From here, Chris Tham (affectionately known as “Tham” or “Thammy” to his friends and fans alike) took the reigns and finished off the set and match convincingly; 9-0, 9-5.

In the battle of the ‘Chris’es, it was definitely “Tham’s up”!

The 3^rd match saw KE’s newcomer Wali against Chung Hung from Eusoff. The Eusoffian player was clearly experienced and played well in the first set, winning it 9-0. After a brief talk with his teammates Wali came back in the second set and began to stage a dramatic comeback. After wrestling to-and-fro for service, Wali managed to win enough points to level off with his opponent at 7-7. This was the turning point of the match and from here it was make-or-break. Unfortunately for us, it was break. After an unforced error from the KEVIIan and a winner from the Eusoffian, the match came to an end with Eusoff winning; 9-0, 9-7.

Team skipper Sean played 4^th and it was now up to him to seal the deal for Team KE 7. He faced Ying Shuo from Eusoff Hall. Sean’s vast squash experience and years of training ensured that he won this match without the slightest hint of a struggle. Sean is known for chasing every last ball, which he did throughout his debut match, preventing his adversary from stealing even a single point from him. He cruised through and won the match easily; 9-0, 9-0.

KE 7 had won the match-up against Eusoff 3-1!

There was one (inconsequential) match left and this was played by KE’s Kwan Rong. Knowing full well that the outcome of the match was irrelevant, both Kwan Rong and his opponent played like they were having a recreational game between old friends. Nursing a back injury, Kwan Rong played a very laidback kind of squash that won him few points. His opponent played well and won the first set 9-0. Subsequently the Eusoffian went on to win the 2^nd set with little trouble. He took the match 9-0, 9-2.

Final score: KE 3 – 2 EH

The squash guys are happy with the results of their first match, but still see much room for improvement. We wish them all the best in their other upcoming preliminary round on Thursday against Temasek Hall. Supporters are more than welcome.

Stay tuned for more updates on this year’s IHG squash Goldrush.

Go for Gold KE!

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