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.