KE Basketball (Male) vs. Sheares Hall: lost 27-39

Written by Guo Zihe

Edited by Mao Yinan

9^th January 2012 marked the day when the King Edward (KE) VII male basketball team faced Sheares Hall (SH) in the Inter-Hall Games (IHG). When the match started at 7.00pm, the spectator stands of the Sports and Recreation Centre’s (SRC) basketball courts were already filled with many supporters from the various halls.

According to the investigation before the game, Sheares Hall is considered as the most powerful team among the 6 halls. They also got quite a few IVPs (Inter-varsity players). Compared with SH, we are more amateur and weaker. However, our hard-working players also provide a fantastic game for us.

In the first session, our player Hung Yi got the first goal in the whole game, which made our team the lead by 2 points in the first few minutes. Although our morale in the beginning was highly encouraged, because the offense of the other team is too fierce, making the score of the end of the first quarter is very inferior to our opponent, 5 (KE) to 13 (SH).

The second session is the climax of the entire competition. At the beginning, we gained the leading edge. Because our team’s defensive measures take a really great effect, we not only let the opponent not get any scores in the session, but almost equalized the scores. At the end of the second quarter, the score became 12 (KE) to 13 (SH).

After the climax, we went into a downturn. Unlike SH, we only have very limited extra players to swap. With the increasingly fierce competition, the players are also gradually physically weaker and weaker. Although our players insisted on hard until the last minutes, there is no possibility to reverse the situation. Finally, the game ended with 27 (KE) to 39 (SH).

The KEVII male basketball team had without a doubt put up a brilliant display of resilience. Players like Miao Huayue (got 11 points), Lee Hungyi (got 10 points) and so on, are really promising players in the team. This match had definitely been a good experience for all the players and hopefully, they will be able to come out even stronger next year.

KE Basketball (Female) V.S Temasek Hall: lost 13-35

Written by Guo Zihe

Edited by Mao Yinan

9^th January 2012 marked the day when the King Edward (KE) VII female basketball team faced Temasek Hall (TH) in the Inter-Hall Games (IHG). When the match started at 8.40pm, the spectator stands of the Sports and Recreation Centre’s (SRC) basketball courts were already filled with many supporters from the various halls.

Temasek Hall is a very strong opponent for us, because they have quite a few IVPs (Inter varsity players) while our players are more or less join the game based on their interests. However, we always hold the words “Friendship is always the first place in the game”!

During the game, facing the powerful team, our warriors did not show off any fear but tried their best to compete for our hall. Our female Captain Yilin got the first 2 scores, which inspired our players a lot. Points were lost drastically in the second session because of the lack of communication among players. However, our players still did not give up but kept up fighting on the court.

The last 2 sessions seemed to be a very long time for our players. Because our female team did not have more extra people to swap, all the players were very exhausted. Long Jinghan, a player in the team said, “I felt I was going to faint. But I knew, I must hold to the last minute to fight for the glory!” Holding this kind of attitude, our warriors complete the game with great persistence and perseverance. Yilin even got a 3-point goal in the last session, which is very impressive.

Although the final match score was a 13-35 loss to TH, the KEVII female basketball team had without a doubt put up a brilliant display of resilience. This match had definitely been a good experience for all the players and hopefully, they will be able to come out even stronger next year.

Go basketball warriors!

IHG Netball KE vs EH, lost 63-6

Written by Dean Liaw Yih Hang

Edited by Ong Hui Shan

Netball is a game less known to many, probably because it is overshadowed by its more popular counterpart basketball. Some even feel that netball is less exciting as it is a female-dominated sport – they could not be more wrong. Netball is every bit as fun and challenging as basketball, whether it is from the perspective of the player or spectator. Before we dive into the juicy details of the netball match between KE and EH, a few fast facts about netball: Each team consists of 7 players who each play different positions. These positions are Goal Shooter (GS), Goal Attack (GA), Wing Attack (WA), Centre (C), Wing Defense (WD), Goal Defense (GD) and Goal Keeper (GK). Each position is restricted to certain areas of play on the court, thus making coordination among players extremely important. Important rules include these: the ball cannot be dribbled, and the person handling the ball must not move more than 1 step and must pass it or try to score within 3 seconds.

The IHG netball preliminary between KE and EH was scheduled for 7pm on 17 January at the SRC netball courts. It had been an unbelievably hot day and the grounds were scorched by the raging Singapore sun. When evening came, dark clouds threatened to rain down on the match. Surprisingly, not only did the ominous clouds not pour, they blocked out the sun and provided much relief to our players who were busy warming up for the competition. The referee came in before 7pm to announce a few ground rules. The playing time for the match was to be split into four quarters of ten minutes each, with short breaks in between.

With the blow of a whistle, the game officially started. Before our team had time to react, team Eusoff quickly took control of the ball and scored the first point of the match. There was no stopping EH as they charged through the court scoring goal after goal, gaining a lead early in the game. KE only managed to score their first point halfway through the first quarter. Despite many desperate attempts by KE to stop the onslaught, the EH players still managed to get past the KE defences, even managing to make up to 6 passes without hindrance on several occasions. KE’s GK Yu Wei, being the last line of defence, found herself constantly pitted against EH’s GS and GA, both sharp shooters. Unfortunately, they managed to score almost 9 out of 10 times. At this point, it was already clear where the game was heading: the team from EH was clearly more experienced and skilled. The first quarter ended with EH 15 and KE 1.

After a short break, our players were back on the court ready to strike back. The start of the second quarter saw KE push deep into the EH side of the court. Dolly, KE’s GA, managed to score 2 consecutive goals, and this invited euphoric cheers and applauses from KE supporters. It seemed that the tide was finally turning in favour of KE, but alas, the high was short-lived. That was the last time KE scored in the entire second quarter. KE managed to breach EH defences on a few occasions but never succeeded in scoring. The game was now halfway through and the referee announced a 5 minute break. As the third quarter was being played, more and more KEVIIans made their way down to the netball courts to lend their support. The KE supporter crowd greatly outnumbered that of EH. Shouts of “Go KE!” and “Good try KE!” rang loud and proud throughout the rest of the match. Nevertheless, our players conceded the third quarter with 5 goals against EH’s 45.

By the fourth quarter, team morale was low and it was then when team EH breezed through the court scoring another 10 consecutive goals. As EH let their guard down, the ball was suddenly in the hands of team KE. The crowd watched anxiously as the ball was passed from one KE player to the other – it finally landed in the hands of GA Jen who scored a goal for KE. The crowd who had been waiting on a goal was in uproar. This goal, despite coming in a little late, still lifted the spirits of KEVIIans as the match neared its end.

The game ended around 8pm with the final score of KE losing 63-6 to EH. Both KE and EH exchanged gracious “3 cheers”, and parted amicably. After the taking of team photos, the KE netball team showed their appreciation towards their supporters by giving a deep bow. Despite losing the match, there wasn’t a single frown that night as the KE netball girls gave one another a pat on the back for a game well played.

Who said that touch rugby is a girls sport?

Reported by : Azrin Nazir

Edited by: Victor Lee

When I received my assignment to cover this year’s IHG Touch Rugby, I had initially mourned the loss of a precious Sunday. At the same I remembered the exciting and inspiring performances by KE’s Touch Rugby during last year’s IHG and almost immediately, I was looking forward to covering the event! The event was conducted in a league style with each hall playing against the other five halls once, each 20 minute match comprising 2 halves of 10 minutes. When I arrived at the SRC field, the team were already doing their warm up drills in preparation for the gruelling day ahead. Prior to the first game team captain Melvin Soo and team coach Raihan gathered the team for a final run down of tactics.

“You’ve trained so damn hard and today is your day. Whatever you’ve trained, do it on the field,” said the team’s coach, Raihan, with the team huddled around him. The touch rugby players trained very hard during the holidays and so I was confident that they will be a formidable opponent.

Touch Rugby guys all PoweredUp!

The first match commenced at 11:10am with KE facing off against Sheares. Both sides appeared to evenly matched. With Sheares mounting the pressure, KE’s defense remained resolute. Right before the end of the first half, Sheares exploited a gap in KE’s defensive line to score a try. After a stirring half time pep talk, KE marched out to meet Sheares for the second half. Sheares opened the second half with some aggressive plays but KE manage to contain them. After a few minutes of evenly matched plays, Sheares made a breakthrough run after a succession of quick passes to score the second try of the game right before the final whistle. The score was 2-0 to Sheares.

Despite the initial loss, the guys in red from KE marched out triumphantly to meet Temasek. The match kicked off at 12pm with TH making aggressive plays and strong drives down the field. KE’s defensive line remained stable, closing down on TH players fast. However, with TH setting the tempo for the game, our players were not able to gain much ground during their possession. With a quick counter TH surges forwards and scores!  Almost immediately KE responded with blistering speed, looking for scoring opportunities. Unfortunately TH managed to counter and they broke away from KE’s defenders to score right before the whistle for halftime. The second half began with KE attempting to push forward. TH countered hard and pressured KE’s defence.  There were a many good saves and the score remained at 2-0.

Our very own JCRC President Eddie performing a flying touch!

The boys had about an hour to break for lunch and take a short breather. With three matches to go and the afternoon sun turning up the heat, the team still had a long way to go and they were not ready to throw in the towel.

The third match against Raffles Hall kicked off under the blazing afternoon sun. Both sides probed each other’s defences. It seemed to be an even game until RH scored in the first half. A lapse in the defensive line allowed RH to score the second try before half time. The second half started off relatively cautiously. Our players tried to advance but could find no openings to take advantage of.

The fourth game against Kent Ridge Hall kicked off at 2:50pm. By then fatigue was setting in and many of the players were injured in some way or another in addition to the sweltering heat but the touch ruggers from KE soldiered on. The score remained level at the end of the first half with KE defending well despite the high tempo game. In the opening moments of the second half KR caught KE off guard and exploited gaps in the defence to score the first try of the game. Looking to cement their victory, KR began to play even more aggressively. KR scored two more tries leaving the score at 3-0 to KR.

Unparalleled sidestep with a determined face

The final matched against Eusoff began at 3:40pm. EH players opened the game with quick speed and succession, scoring three tries in the first half. Moments after the opening whistle for the second half EH managed to score the fourth try of the game. EH scored three more tries until the final whistle ended the match at 7-0 to Eusoff.

Despite the result, all the KEVIIans present were proud of the KE Touch Rugby Team. I had spoken to team captain Melvin about his aims for IHG: “The team’s expectation was to put up a strong fight and play to our team’s fullest potential in every match.” Watching the team throughout the day, they have certainly surpassed their expectations. Here’s wishing our Touch Rugby all the best for next year’s IHG!