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

A Close Fight

JANUARY 4 2009
- Wenjin

Hall 4 squared off against Hall 5 in the third round of Group C soccer this morning at the SRC field.

A lot was at stake for the two teams given that this is the last game to be played in the preliminary stages. Win, and progress into the Quarter-Finals of the competition where a match against Hall 12 awaits. Lose, and be knocked out of the tournament.

In the first match of the season, Hall 4 managed to edge out Hall 5 with a 1-0 victory. So it comes as no surprise that Hall 5 was both seeking a restoration to their pride as well as a chance to progress further into the competition.

About 20 minutes into the first half, Hall IV scored its first goal, of which Hall IV held on to the tender lead into the break. Unfortunately, Hall 5 managed to equalise in the 60th minute due to some frenzy defending by our player.

The tide of the game then lobbed back and forth, and there did not seem to be a clear winner. Indeed, after 90 minutes, the game ended 2-2, and entered the penalty competition.

With this sudden death round, it was make or break for Hall IV players, who scored 5 goals. On the contrary, due to a good save, Hall 5 only managed 4 goals.

The triumph certainly did not come easily, and we will enter the quarter finals, facing off with Hall 12.

Great job, Ohmers!

IHG Update – Soccer (v Hall 5)

DECEMBER 27 2008
- Qinwei 

Team Hall 4 soccer team scored an early victory in the competition, beating local rivals Hall 5 1-0.

With the game scheduled in the afternoon, the team had to battle the blistering sun in the opening game.

Hall 5 had the first chance of the game with its left winger skipping past two players, carrying the ball into the penalty box. However, the finishing touch was poor and the ball was easily collected by the goalkeeper. Gradually, Team Hall 4 were in control of the game, and attacking midfielder Jayden, saw the ball crashed off the woodwork with a cracking effort from outside the box. Then, Hall 4’s striker, Zhong Leong, gave the team a well deserved lead. Collecting a through pass from midfield, he shrugged off a defender and sent the ball into the bottom corner with a left foot finish, leaving the goalkeeper no chance. Hall 5 fought back in search of an equalizer, but lacked the finishing touches in the penalty area. Team Hall 4 held on to go 1-nil up into the second half.

With the opponent looking for an equalizer, Team Hall 4 was held back for prolonged period. Despite being under pressure, Team Hall 4 still managed to get the ball up front and Jayden sent in another shot from 25 yards out that flew past the wrong side of the upright. The game soon changed into a tussle for ball in the midfield and clear chances were far and few between. Eventually, Team Hall 4 grind out the victory it wanted, finishing 1-0.

A Good Field Day for Hall IV!

DECEMBER 20, 2008
- Qinwei 

Saturday was a good field day for Team Hall 4, as the female volleyball and male softball team won against their respective opponents. The ladies beat local rivals Hall 5 two sets to one, while the men edged out Hall 14 with a score line of 12-7.

 

With quarterfinals berth at stake, the teams battled long and hard. After losing to Team Hall 4 in the opening round, Hall 5 ladies were seeking revenge. Facing a determined opponent, Team Hall 4 displayed great composure to win the first set 25-10. Not to be outdone and to get back into the game, Hall 5 fought back in the second set. Hall 5 dealt out some powerful serves, leaving Team Hall 4 with little chances and eventually prevailed, winning the set 25-15. The third was a close fight between the two and the teams rarely separated by more than two points. At 24-23, Team Hall 4 seeks to finish the game off, but Hall 5 managed to tie the game 24-24. Team Hall 4 constantly pulled in front, but fails to finish the game on multiple occasions. Ultimately, the ladies showed nerves of steel to end it 32-30, after Hall 5’s return ball went wide. It was a great all round performance by the team to secure a place in the next round.

 

Similarly for the men, much is also at stake. A loss would have meant the end of the road in the competition for the team. It will turns out to be an epic battle that stretched over four innings and two tie breakers, and lasted more than two hours. After losing the toss, the team batted first in the opening inning. They didn’t have the best of starts, scoring zero runs, and the opposition scored two. Following a poor start, Team Hall 4 found their batting form and score three runs in the second inning to take the lead. But Hall 14 answered back to take back the lead. The score would continue to be see-sawed between the two sides before it came down to the second tie breaker with the score leveled at 6 all. Team Hall 4 started the tie break by scoring a run, before two superb bats by the players allowed the team to score runs in quick succession. At the changeover, Hall 4 led by 11-6. The pressure is now on the opponent to match the number of runs. Fantastic pitching by Team Hall 4 pitcher, David, struck out the opposing player, to leave them with two outs. More good pitching, forced them to bat the ball. Eventually a fly-ball catch by third baseman James, ended any hopes of a fight back and sent the Hall 4 supporters on the sidelines wild. Following the win, the team now look forward to the game against Hall 8 with quarterfinal place in sight.

 

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.