IHRG Update – Chinese Chess

JANUARY 7 2009

The Hall 4 Chinese Chess Team, finalists at last year’s Inter-Hall Recreation Games Tournament, will not be seeded in next year’s tournament. This follows a dismal showing in the hall’s best shot to win a medal in the recreational games tournament, as Chinese Chess is indeed its strongest segment.

While the team managed to win 3 halls, it drew 2 games and lost against 2 other halls, thereby only managing to win a quarter-finals placing but not the semi-finals.

However, all is not lost as this year’s team is predominantly made up of junior players, who will definitely display marked improvement following more intense training over the next year. We will certainly be back much stronger next year!

Marked Improvement Despite Dismal Showing

JANUARY 2 2008
- WALTER

It was another electrifying day of IHRG action at the Hall 8 Multi-Purpose Court. This time, it was the word game BOGGLE being the order of the day.

It came as no surprise that HALL IV was unseeded for the BOGGLE competition, given that the hall has traditionally not been strong in word games. In fact, as team player Vanessa (who featured last year as well) mentioned, HALL IV only managed to win one out of 35 sets in the previous year’s competition.

In the end, the HALL IV team of Charlene (team manager), myself (team captain), Huishan, Vanessa, Ming Shi, Alex and Ye Wee failed to buck the trend this year, having lost all seven of its games. However, there is a silver lining for consolation.

We managed to display marked improvement indeed – taking eight out of 35 sets this time round (I won 3 sets, Alex won 2, while Huishan, Vanessa and Ye Wee won 1 set each). It was a really close fight for us against Hall 8 too, where we took the game to the mire, going down two sets to three. The spread was even positive in our favour despite the loss!

All sixteen halls were separated into two groups of eight halls each. Each hall has to play against seven other halls over the course of the day’s competition, to determine the halls which would advance into the semi-finals. Each game consists of five sets each.

*****
Personal Note: Charlene and I, the team manager and captain of the HALL IV Boggle team, would like to thank all our players for sacrificing their time during these holidays for the training sessions and the game itself. For spending much last-minute effort trying to cram as many three-letter words as possible. For displaying undying spirit and vigour throughout despite the odds being stacked against us. Thank you! Also, thanks to Jian Li and Xi Wen for all the help and support you’ve provided throughout the months!

We will (try to) be back a stronger team next year.

Fierce Scrabble Action @ Hall 8 MPH

DECEMBER 30 2008
- Walter

A sea of blue jerseys swamped Hall 8’s multi-purpose court both yesterday and today as Hall IV was the convening hall for the Inter-Hall Recreational Game of Scrabble, providing quintessential help as table umpires, word checkers, and score tabulators.

In the meantime, however, despite the raucous support present, the odds were stacked against the Hall IV Scrabble team. The Hall IV team managed to win 3 out of 7 games during IHRG 07/08, and were looking to build on the momentum by improving on its streak. Yet, Hall IV is precisely not known for its vocabulary prowess, nor was it renowned for being strong in recreational games in general. Hence, it was with a light-hearted gait and demeanour that our players took the arena with, without any expectations to live up to. Every game won against our opponents was perhaps a bonus.

The Scrabble team comprised of both experienced players in the form of team captain Vanessa, team manager Hui Shan, Daniel, Andrew, James, Yew Chong as well as Prof Brian, as well as freshmen like myself, Hau Kim and Mark Teo.

In the end, we managed to win only 1 out of the 7 preliminary games this season. While the team started strong, winning Hall 2 four sets to one in its opening match, Hall IV failed to capitalise on its winning momentum as it met stronger (and perhaps luckier) opponents in its corresponding matches. It lost all its other six matches one set to four, with the exception of its final game against Hall 9, where it lost nil to five.

Yet it is with pride that our players took the game down to the wire with most of its opponents, with the spread merely marginal during defeat.

We believe that the Hall IV scrabble team will bounce back strongly during the next IHRG season!

[Ed: As a sidenote, congratulations to Hall 6 for eventually winning the Scrabble competition against Hall 12. It was really a closely-fought battle. And as the umpire for the crucial final set with the score tied at 2-2 between Hall 6 and Hall 12, I was really on the edge of my seat as the game was so close and could swing either way. Kudos to Hall 12 for the close fight too!]

IHRG Update – Darts

DECEMBER 22, 2008
- Kelvin 

The Hall IV Darts team played a total of four matches today, namely against the Darts team from Hall 5, Hall 6, Hall 7 and Hall 16.

Despite an afternoon of intense competition, lady luck was certainly not smiling on Hall 4 as the Darts team failed to overcome all four of their opponents. Hall 4 was close to winning a couple of matches, though our opponents were certainly much luckier than us today.

In spite of the defeat, the spirit of the Hall IV darts team was high, with all our players enjoying themselves in the first day of the Darts competition. Even though Hall 4 failed to perform well today, we believe that the team will strive for better results during the second day of the tournament, despite qualification for the semi-finals looking like a long shot.

The second day of the Darts competition will feature three more preliminary rounds, and will commence at 1200hrs at the Hall 8 Multi-Purpose Court.

IHRG Update – Weiqi

DECEMBER 20, 2008
- Tiong Hwee

The remaining two preliminary matches for Weiqi were played out at the Hall 8 Multi-Purpose Court from 9am today.

As Hall 4 had already lost four of its first five preliminary matches during the first day of games yesterday, it was indeed a long shot for Hall 4 to progress into the semi-finals, considering the odds at stake. Nonetheless, our team was determined to give it their all. After all, the team comprised of relatively inexperienced players, some of whom only picked up the game less than three months ago, and any games against stronger opponents will prove to be invaluable experience gained for them in future IHRG seasons.

Alas, Hall 4 lost its two matches today, against Hall 14 and Hall 9. The final tally read 1-4  for both games.

While being prematurely knocked out of the competition, we are sure our Hall 4 players had utmost fun through the course of training and the matches against opponents from other Halls. It was truly a commendable job by our Hall IV Weiqi team.

IHRG Update – Weiqi

DECEMBER 19 2008
- TIONG HWEE

In the IHRG preliminary matches for Weiqi held at MPH today, Hall IV had to compete with seven other halls in total, of which five matches were to be played today.

Our first round was against Hall 1. Unfortunately, our weiqi team lost 1-4 to them.  After an hour break after the first game, our next opponent was Hall 8. This time round, our weiqi players managed to turn the tables around by scoring a 4-1 victory over the opponents. 

Unfortunately, we were unable to capitalise on our winning momentum for our next round against Hall 5. Even though both teams were closely matched, we eventually failed to secure a win in the last set, and lost to them with a tight margin of 2-3.

Even then, our Weiqi team continued to fight on with much gusto, despite the tough matches ahead for our relatively inexperienced team. We were unlucky not to capitalise on our opponents’ mistakes in our fourth round against Hall 7, and as a result, lost with a tight margin of 2-3 yet again.

Finally, our last opponent was Hall 15 but we only managed to win 1 out of 5 games in the fifth round.

A second day of Weiqi competition awaits the Hall IV Weiqi team tomorrow. Here’s wishing the Weiqi team all the best!

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.

IHRG Update: Snooker – WE’RE THRU TO THE QUARTERS TO BE HELD ON MONDAY!!!

December 12, 2008

The day dawned bright and early in the fourth day of competition with an intense match of snooker between Hall 4 and Hall 7 at Nanyang House.

The first game is between Yong Hsin of Hall IV and Francis of Hall 7. A relatively easy game for us, as Yong Hsin did not trail behind the entire game. Despite playing with an injured left foot, Yong Hsin played in a dominating fashion combining skills, power and accuracy. The final score line is 36:15.

 

Second game is between Wei Sheng from Hall4 and Song Wei from Hall7. Just like the first game, the Hall4 player dominated the game throughout. Song Wei tried to force a comeback in the late stage of the game, however, the cool strikes from Wei Sheng denied any challenges and the final score is 66:49

Third game is Yew Han from Hall4 versus Jonathan from Hall7. Despite trailing largely in the early game, Yew Han surged in mid game trying to catch up. However, Jonathan finished a couple of key strikes. Final score is 43:64

 

In the Fourth game, both players, Alvin from Hall4 and Jeremy from Hall7 didn’t have the best game. Errors and mistakes led to the low scoring and final score is 5:21, the Hall4 player lost out.

 

In the decisive fifth game, Mark from Hall4 was trailed far at behind at the beginning. However, 3 consequent fouls made by the Hall7 player Benjamin gifted Mark the chance to force a comeback. Since then Mark hit another couple of key strikes and was never trailed. The thrilling game ended 40:30.

Winning the match against Hall Seven 3 sets to 2 was a real morale-boost for our players, as the victorious Hall IV Snooker team then proceeded to play against Hall 12.

AND Hall IV won the later match against Hall 12 3:1 to move on to the quarter finals!

 Great job to our snooker players!

 

- Kai Wen

[ED: Congratulations to our Hall IV Snooker Players for a job well done!]