Back With A Vengeance

JANUARY 18 2009
TAN THIAM PENG 

A year ago, five men turned up on a Sunday morning. That is barely half of an Inter-Hall rugby team.

Then, Hall 4 could not field a team and had to concede its participation.

The ruggers of Hall 4, led by captain Praga, stood steadfast in their passion and a year on, we have a full team.

Last Sunday, the team took on the equally brave men from other halls as all sixteen vied for quarterfinal places in Inter-Hall rugby 2009. After a long day, the hall unfortunately finished third and could not advance. It was an outstanding effort from players mostly without past experience in the game.

Hall 4 was grouped together with seed Hall 11, Hall 15 and Hall 5. Praga recognized that we could not complain about our grouping, especially since we avoided Halls 1 and 6, the two powerhouses that were not seeded this season.

It was apt and ironic that two young neighbours began their tournament against each other. Hall 4 took on derby rival Hall 5, but it turned out lopsided.

Our opponents looked uneasy in the game and lacking in training, and our rejuvenated captain bulldozed through four players to score the first try.

Our find of the season, former Saint Andrew’s player Weiqiang, took advantage of Hall 5’s misunderstanding of the sport and sneaked in for an easy try, converting as well.

Another star player, Chunrong, then displayed his change of pace and cut through Hall 5’s defence. With his size and speed, he is the darkhorse to watch. Weiqiang converted this try too.

In the second half, Weiqiang once again exposed the opponents’ weaknesses with his intelligence, reaching the tryline in no time. Chunrong wrapped up the 31-0 mauling with another blistering run, which Weiqiang converted as well.

With that, Hall 4 matched up with group seed Hall 11 in the Winners’ Pool tie. Chunrong had left by now. The plan was to play steadily and conservatively, against a known formidable opponent. Unfortunately Praga, in his attempts to drag the team out of the deep end, got injured and left the pitch. Things went downhill from there.

A strong kicking game by Hall 11, and displaying better spirit over our intimidated lads, we lost by a good 38-0.

Hall 15 narrowly made it past Hall 5 after an initial scare, reducing our hopes considerably. In this playoff for the group runners-up position, it could be said that a lot was put on the shoulders of Weiqiang and Desmond to lead the team.

Alas, it was not enough. Hall 4 evidently panicked, conceded a try almost right from kick-off, and had no defence. Hall 15 ran away clear 26-0 winners

Sepak Takraw Hall4 vs Hall11 (Winner Pool Match)

DECEMBER 22, 2008
- Jevon

Hall 4 overcame hot favourites Hall 11 to advance from Group A Inter-Hall Sepak Takraw competition as the top team.

Hall 4 took the match with a score of 2 games to 1.

In the first game, Zhongliang, Yonghwa and David secured the win with a nailbiting finish to the set. It was a close victory of 2 points.

The second game looked tight at first with Praga, Chunxiang and Jevon holding the front. As the game continued, the opponents’ skills and experience wore the trio out as Hall 11 pulled away with a convincing win.

The final and crucial game was an entertaining one, with Weisheng, James and Daniel surprising everyone with their skills and touch of finesse. The supporters also broke out in laughter as Daniel’s reactions were unexpected.

Good Luck to Hall 4 in the quarter finals!!

Plenty of IH Action Today!

DECEMBER 22, 2008
- Tiong Hwee 

Volleyball (F) QF v Hall 7

Held early this morning at the National Institute of Education (NIE) indoor volleyball court, Hall IV unfortunately lost to Hall 7 in the IHG Volleyball Female Quarter-Finals in a one and a half-hr match, with the scorelines of 7-25, 11-25 respectively in 2 sets.

In the first set, despite an equal showing, a lapse in concentration by our volleyball team earned points for the opponents, allowing them to garner a huge lead. As a result, our team had difficulty mounting a comeback as the score margin was quite huge to overcome. While our team countered the opponent’s strong attacks with rigid defence and long rallies, the first set was brought to an end with a score of 7-25.

Both teams changed sides for the second set. This was a crucial game for our team as it will determine whether our female volleyball team will have a chance to progress into the semi-finals. Knowing that winning this set will progress, the Hall 7 girls played with more aggression, increasing their counter-attacks. It was regrettable that our team was unable to deal with the long shots by our opponent. Despite forcing the tally back a few times, Hall 4 succumbed and lost the second set 11-25.

Having lost to Hall 7 with an overall score of 0-2, Hall 4 is now out of the female volleyball competition this IHG season. Yet, our girls have done us proud by displaying strength of steel to overcome numerous strong opponents to reach this juncture of the competition, and will certainly come back stronger next season. Well done, Ohmers! 

Hockey (F) v Hall 11

In the first IHG Hockey Female Group A match this IHG season, held at the NIE Hockey Field, our girls hockey team managed to clinch a win over their opponents, Hall 11, relatively with ease. The final scoreline read 3-0.

Hall 4’s female players played well as a team, mounting constant pressure on their opponents. In the first half of the game, the more agile team of Hall 4 managed to force Hall 11 into committing errors in their game, resulting in numerous shots at goal. Yet, we were unable to capitalise on the situation and convert the chances into goals, and entered the break with a slender lead of 1-0.

At the start of the second half, Hall 4’s game plan was to defend and extend their lead on the break.  Eyeing an opportunity, we managed to break through the opponent’s defence line and scored a goal a few minutes after the commencement of the second half.

Despite doubling the scoreline, our players continued hitting shots on goal, and only some skillful defending by the Hall 11 goalkeeper prevented the defeat from being a larger one. The game ended with the final score 3-0, with Hall IV progressing into the Winner Pool match of the competition.

IHG Updates – Snooker & Volleyball (M/F)

DECEMBER 15 2008
- Jamie 

It was a day of mixed results for Team Hall 4.

First thing in the day was a David versus Goliath snooker encounter with an exceedingly strong Hall 11 team. Sadly, it was not meant to be and despite throwing all that we had at them, Hall 11 always had enough in their tank to see off any spirited challenge from Hall 4. Final score for IHRG Snooker (Male) 2008: Hall 11 5, Hall 4 nil.

Next on the menu was the Females’ Volleyball match – represented by the Team Hall 4 (also known as Yu Zhao and Team Pageant). Despite the initial jitters, Yu Zhao and Team Pageant roared to a convincing victory, sweeping a lacklustre Hall 5 team away. 2006 Pageant Girl Hui Xin and our current Pageant Hall Queen Lu Bin rained serve after serve at the opponents’ half. Great supporting play by Yu Zhao and the rest of Team Pageant eventually wore the team from Hall 5 down and clinched a sweet victory for Hall 4.

Not to be outdone, the guys of Hall 4 were determined to match the girls’ record. With the pride of the Hall at stake, there was absolutely no chance and mercy for Hall 14. Hall 14 was brought to the cleaners with a breathtaking display of skill, endurance and teamwork. Both sets were won convincingly by a large margin. With the team from Hall 4 so on form, the team from Hall 2 had better watch out.