By Caryn Chiah (19A01A) and Shivani (20S06R)
Photos courtesy of Vivien He (20S03N)

It is 7:39am on a Thursday. Some have been in school for a while, and now sit in the parade square, bobbing along to whatever music democracy chose on Instagram the night before. Others join the panicked dash up the stairs, courting time and luck to arrive at their classes before the bell rings. In the mass of over 2000 students, you would hardly notice the absence of 11 girls. Yet, inconspicuously or not, there are 11 empty spaces where 11 tanned girls, 11 large duffle bags, and 22 tennis racquets are decidedly missing.

10 MRT stops away, the girls’ tennis team practise their shots. For many in the team, this will be their final shot at victory on the inter-school level; it will also be their last match together as a team. Be that as it may, if any of them are nervous about their big match, they don’t show it; instead, there is a light smattering of chatter, inside jokes and gentle ribbing, an easy familiarity that comes from spending so much time together. We ask Olivia, the team captain, on how she’s dealing with the pressure of the upcoming games. She shrugs nonchalantly, but is serious in her answers: “We already met HCI in the Quarters and won, but we faced more resistance than anticipated… our team has worked really hard since the start of the year and I think we’re in a good position to face whatever comes our way.”

This determination is mirrored in her teammates. At 7:45am, they gather in their pre-game team huddle one last time before the matches start, where their coach urges them to focus on the process and not the results, while Olivia rallies her team with words of encouragement. Then, at 8:00am, they make their way into the competition courts. It is quiet: supporters from both schools have yet to arrive. Each girl or doubles pair is alone in the court—the five matches take place simultaneously, so there is no moment where the entire tennis team gathers as one to cheer another teammate on. This scene is unexpected at a sports match, where teams would normally spur on their fellow players together, but this is perhaps symbolic of this sport itself.

Team member Tammy effectively counters this with her belief, stating that it is “good to incorporate this individuality into a team so [the players] get to experience team spirit.” How will this team spirit affect the way the girls play? We settle in to find out.

Steeling their nerves, the girls get into their game stance, ready to confront their opponents. The supporters have started to trickle in, and scatter themselves across the different courts, watching eagerly from behind the barrier. Five games are taking place simultaneously: three singles matches and two doubles. For Team Raffles to win, our girls have to win at least 3 out of the 5 matches. When asked for her opinion on how the matches play out side-by-side, Olivia notes, “I think it made every player put a lot of pressure on themselves because you don’t really see how your teammates are doing: you’re just focusing on your own game and you don’t know whether your match ends up being the deciding match that breaks the tie.” However, this adds a team-effort aspect to the very individual-based sport that is tennis. Olivia also acknowledges that there “must be a united effort across the entire team”, for  “one star player definitely will not be able to ‘carry’ the whole team.”

Nicole is the first player to finish her match. She had gotten off to a rocky start, losing the first few points to her opponent. In between serves during her first game, she tosses her racquet into the air, catching it easily as it flips. “Her lucky flip,” Olivia tells us, is something Nicole does when she’s feeling nervous. It seems the lucky flip, or perhaps just Nicole’s perseverance and hard work, must have worked; when we return to her court towards the end of her match, the tide has turned, and Nicole scores the first win for Team Raffles. Afterwards, we catch up with her, and she tells us that she is “feeling good”, and “excited to play with this team next year.”

For the other girls, the matches continue. Into their second or third sets now, the girls have been playing fiercely for almost half an hour. They don’t know how the other matches are going. But despite the inherent insulation of each court, vice-captain Jeovanne carries an awareness of her team into the court. This is not just a mere awareness, but an understanding that the team has her back. Her match isn’t an easy one, not just because she faces off against Hwa Chong’s top player, but because she nurses an injured shoulder—sustained right at the start of the game. Yet,  Jeovanne cites her team as a motivating force, explaining: “Playing for my team pushes me to work harder because I don’t want to let them down”. And she did not let them down, for her beautiful services and rapid shots clinch another win for Team Raffles.

One of the most notable moments of the morning takes place in Tessa and Sarah’s doubles court. It happens right after Tessa smacks the ball right into the net, a move she would later deride as “stupid”.  As she sinks to the floor in half-mocking despair, cries of confusion and shock ring out from the spectators. Despite this, doubles partner Sarah tells her to stand up, and extends a hand to pull her up. Back on her feet, the partners push on. Despite losing their first game, they pick each other up (figuratively and literally) and quickly regain their momentum, eventually culminating in a victory.

Meanwhile, in the other courts the two other matches are heating up: the singles match played by Tammy, and the doubles match played by Su Wen and Manali. Tammy manages to score yet another win for Team Raffles, sending the crowd of Rafflesian supporters up in cheers. After a fierce, long battle against their opponents from HCI on the other court, Su Wen and Manali are eventually defeated. They were both visibly distraught, grimacing as their opponents won the deciding set of the final match of the day. However, having fought valiantly for their team, they still emerged victorious at the end of the day and were met with cheers from all of Team Raffles: their teammates, their coaches and their friends.

The girls may have had different experiences, and played separate games with different outcomes, but they will all win or lose as a team, and this year’s tennis inter-school finals has ended with the RI girls’ team emerging as the champions against HCI. They hail from different secondary schools, different secondary school CCAs, different classes, different subject streams. Their journeys as tennis players are all different. For some, this competition is just a blip in their tennis careers, while others have played almost exclusively for the school. Yet, in this moment, all of them share the same drive to do their team and the school proud. Surrounded by a crowd of rallying Rafflesians, the tennis team goes up as one to receive their medals and the championship trophy.

“It has been tough to balance the conflicts between giving my players the time and space to prepare themselves and the teachers’ or coach’s desires to have good team attendance and foster a stronger team spirit. Personal and team development is something you always have to balance when it comes to sports like tennis.”

Olivia Lee (19S06O)

In her parting words to her juniors, the team captain Olivia delivers one last message. “Treasure the friendships you’ve made and the memories you shared, because when you’re here next year playing your last interschool, holding your medals and smiling for the camera for the last time, I hope you take away more than trophies. I hope you take away amazing memories and laughs, and the comfort in knowing you have a group of solid friends that you can always fall back on and will support you through anything. It has been a pleasure to lead you guys and walk this journey with you.”

Raffles Press would like to applaud the Tennis Girls for their excellent performance, and congratulate them for a well-deserved victory.

Team Members

Year 6s

Jeovanne Canace Poernomo, 19S03F
Tammy Tan Kay Shan, 19S06L
Tessa Wong Jia Yee, 19A01C
Olivia Lee Yu-Yen, 19S06O
Sin Su-Wen, 19A01D

Year 5s

Nicole Ng Yi-Lynn, 20S03P
Sarah Abdul Rahman, 20S06E
Manali Patil, 20S06D
Syarah Zafira, 20S06C
Helen Trenner, 20S02A
Vivien He, 20S03N

By Claire Tan (20S07A) and Val Yeo (20S03O)

The 10th of May started hot. And sticky.

Early morning showers had rendered the tennis courts unusable: not only were matches postponed an hour, we were also hot and sticky. Us reporters, who only ever come into contact with the light from our computers, were absolutely melting under the sun’s unwavering glare.

And so, unable to bear the heat, we T-posed to take up space, argued over cookies, and watched councillors shout into the loudspeaker. Yet, all that time spent fooling around was quickly forgotten when our tennis players appeared, swiftly grabbing everyone’s attention. They strode onto the court with racquet in hand, hard eyes set on their opponent.

Even the warmups were devoid of mercy, the air fraught with tension right from the get go. Hit the ball against the net, and you could hear the crowd sigh; hit an out, and you could see deflated shoulders.

This year Raffles was up against ACS(I), a daunting opponent who had won the last 4 Tennis Championships. The results of today’s finals boiled down to the 5 matches to be played: 2 doubles and 3 singles.

The doubles started off with the blow of the referee’s whistle. The green, fuzzy ball was thrown into the air before making contact with the perfectly timed swing of the racquet, sending it into their opponent’s court.

In the court closer to us, Timothy Lee (20S03R) and Xavier Lien (20S03H) worked in tandem, eyes trained on the ball while still communicating silently with each other. With tension thick in the air, both spectators and competitors were visibly nervous. Spectators looked on with bated breath, intently watching the scores go up. Under the intense pressure of hundreds of eyes, the stress took an obvious toll on some of the competitors, who began to make mistakes in their play.

Even as their confidence wavered, their friends outside the court cheered them on more loudly: they never failed to affirm them whenever a point was scored, or console them with words of encouragement when a point was lost.

Timothy and Xavier put up a good fight, but eventually left the court crestfallen with a game score of 3-6 and 0-6, losing to their ACS(I) opponents. Upon seeing their grim and somber faces, their coaches approached them and clasped each of their hands firmly, saying, “Still proud of you.”

In the other doubles court, Jonathan Teo (19S06E) and Joshua Lee (20S03N) were up. Though they lost the first set 3-6, the pair made a swift comeback in the second set, winning 6-2. Beside us, one of the spectators shouted, “Let’s go Raffles!” as they score a point in their opponent’s court, before saying, “Ah, I think I cracked my jaw just now from cheering.”

The third match, being the tiebreaker, was especially stressful.

Neither of the teams could afford to make a mistake and each ball served was returned readily, the match soon turning into a volley of the green, fuzzy ball bouncing from court to court with both teams unwilling to give up the point.

The two teams are neck and neck before ACS(I) took the set, winning 6-3.

Two hours in, the doubles matches eventually concluded, and it was up to the singles players to lead their way back to victory. But ACS(I) had two singles players win the first set. (You need to win 2 sets out of 3 to win.) The third singles match saw tennis captain Sean Yun (19S03E)  with the ball entirely in his court. With utter ease, he took set one. The second set proved to be a challenge, however, with his opponent, Mark Theng from ACS(I), changing up his play. Still, Sean remained calm and composed, emerging victorious with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6 (7-2).

Paul Michel (19S06L) fought hard against his competitor, with the supporters at the stands cheering him on every time he won a point with shouts of “Don’t give up!”. However, he ultimately lost to his opponent, 6-1, 6-1.

With ACS(I) ahead, it was now down to Timothy to prevail. At the start of the game, his strokes were hasty, and his opponent often gained points due to Timothy’s mistakes instead of outplaying him. “He’s just nervous,” someone beside me commented. “He’ll come back.” However, he lost his first set 6-0, a debilitating defeat. To lose six points in a row takes a heavy toll on one’s psyche, and now he needed to win the next two sets for RI to clinch first place.

The second set commenced, and most of the supporters came by to cheer him on. Even when the circumstances looked bleak, they never gave up on him, and at no point did we hear anyone whisper “He’s not going to win.”; instead, all we heard was “He just needs to focus,” or “He can do it”. Throughout the games, the deafening cheers from the crowd was proof that they never lost faith in him.

With the spirit of the team behind him, Timothy yelled. He grunted. He sprinted. He took four hard-fought sets off his opponent before eventually losing 6-0, 6-4.

Under the sweltering heat that day, it was this tenacity of the players that shone through and  characterized what it really meant to be a tennis player. Beyond the sport itself, we saw how Raffles Tennis was also about yelling words of encouragement and erupting into cheers whenever a teammate scored, and fighting alongside the players every step of the way no matter the circumstance.

Although the Boys’ Tennis team landed an impressive second place overall, they were visibly disappointed. Still, it does not discredit all the hard work they have put into the sport, including all they had sacrificed to come this far. After all, what we saw that day was merely a small fraction of all the hard work they put in. As team captain Sean put it, “The most trying moments of this past season happened off court rather than on court, with there being numerous instances of conflict, be it involving figures of authority or between teammates. But I am proud that my team managed to put all these behind them to train and fight as hard as they could.”

As the event came to a close, the team took a bow, concluding their competition season and the J2s’ journey with the team. When asked if he had anything to say to his juniors, Sean had these words of advice: “For the remaining months of this year, focus on spending and enjoying time with your batchmates! After all the heavy academic commitments are over with, slowly get back into the tennis grind and work towards next year.”

Though tennis appears to be an individual (or pair at best) sport, the players gathered strength from the rest of the team to face-off their opponents, and it was this camaraderie that saw the players through the season. Raffles Press would like to congratulate the Tennis Boys on their remarkable achievements and is looking forward to seeing them back on court next year!

Scores:

1st Singles
Sean Yun (RI) d. Mark Theng (ACSI) 6-3 7-6(7-2)

2nd Singles
Robin Cheng (ACSI) d. Timothy Lim (RI) 6-0 6-4

3rd Singles
Takeshi Koey (ACSI) d. Paul Michel (RI) 6-1 6-1

1st Doubles
Caleb Tay/Chris Theng (ACSI) d. Xavier Lien/Timothy Lee (RI) 6-3 6-0

2nd Doubles
Jonathan Teo/Joshua Lee (RI) d. Tiah Jeng Ern/Tetsushi Ito (ACSI) 3-6 6-2 6-3

By Kuang Shane Qi (19A13A) and Loh Lin (19A01D)
Photos courtesy of Brendon Loo (19S03H) from Raffles Photographic Society

It takes 19 minutes for the whistle to blow its most important signal. At the sound, our players drop back and steel themselves for the next round against the backdrop of cheers from the Hwa Chong supporters. The first goal has landed, and it is not ours.

If this rattles our girls, they do not show it. The kick-off is about to start again, so they shrug off their despair from the force of the first goal and surrender their full attention to the ball. It is their turn to pass, and their bodies betray their fervour; they shift their weight and lean forward, prepared to follow the ball no matter where it leads. They need the next goal to be theirs. But they cannot voice this sentiment, so the supporters bellow it for them, loud and hard. The whistle blows once more, and the game resumes.

Our girls are relentless, and it shows in the way they run. What they might lack in speed, they make up for in sheer intensity, never letting up as they race their opponents down and press them into making quick passes. Still, HCI manages to plough past their defence several times, coming heart-stoppingly close to the box to make another goal. So the girls run, harder than before, intercepting passes and doing their utmost to make it as difficult as possible for their opponents to strike. The two sides engage in a persistent back-and-forth, both carrying the burden of what losing means to their team, neither willing to see it become a reality. By half-time, HCI retains their lead of 1-0, and our girls make their way back to the shade, visibly fatigued.

Here in the stands, our supporters are a fever of frustration from the number of close calls from both sides. For a while, they fidget in silence as substitutions are made, searching for their friends on the pitch to relay an affirming gaze or smile. Then the tension breaks with an unorthodox cry of encouragement: “Show your aggression! Just T-pose!”

The attempt at levity from the back row draws exasperated chuckles from the throng of supporters, but fails to reach our girls off pitch, who are still solemn and reflective. Their coach notices when Nooriyah Moochhala (19S03Q) slumps onto the bench, and is quick to approach her. After a pat on the shoulder, he turns his attention to the rest of the team. But the whistle halts whatever he is about to say, as the girls rise to make their last stand.

Barely four minutes into the final half, vice-captain Christie Soo (19A01B) makes a sharp turn past her opponents, sending the ball hurtling towards the goal. The crowd roars, willing it to spear HCI’s defences and level the scoreline. For a moment, it looks like it will. Our supporters are on the edge of their seats, ready to leap up in triumph. Then HCI seize the ball, and surge towards our girls in a renewed clash of blue and green.

Perhaps no other people are more adept at shrugging things off than athletes. In the heat of a match, you pause for a moment to catch your breath, and the next thing you know is the ball being borne away from you on a tide of unfamiliar jerseys. Athletes, then, have nothing left to do but press on. Christie bears testament to this: she is elbowed in the stomach, doubles over for a moment, but forces herself to push through the nausea and remain on the field.

And it is this enduring grit and tenacity that shines through as the clock ticks its way towards the end of the second half. The girls push persistently towards the goal, and at the 54th minute, a ball sent soaring by Milanpreet Kaur Bajwa (19S03K) grazes the goal, missing it narrowly again.

The rest of the match is an exercise in suspense. Even as two writers who knew nothing about soccer prior to this match (and thus cannot be said to know what exactly is going on), we find our eyes anxiously flicking from ball to timer, and our hands drumming nervous rhythms on the bright plastic seats. With every pass that connects, there is a pass that doesn’t, and second by second, the timer counts down. Raffles is anxious, but not disheartened. From the stands, someone screams a reminder: “there’s still time!” And the girls push on, fighting against the inevitable, willing for a miracle.

1 minute 30 seconds left. Raffles is awarded a free kick and they do not hesitate. The ball misses by the barest margin, and they take off after it again.

30 seconds remain. The girls are tired, sluggish. At this point, it seems the match is set, but they will not allow themselves to stop running.

10 seconds. They advance towards the goal. Just as Milan prepares to make the shot, she collides with two HCI players and goes down, to a torrent of yells from the crowd. The girls know it is over.

The whistle blows one last time, and our girls are straggled across the pitch, trying to find each other amidst the burst of blue. Despite the team’s best efforts, Raffles has lost by a margin of 1-0.

A few rows up from where we sit, we see the batch of 2018 stand to applaud as the team comes forward to take a bow. The seniors look somber, but proud. No doubt they know how much this match means to them, and how fiercely the team yearned to win it.

The smell of loss is fresh, even as the girls are immediately enveloped by the warmth of their friends. Christie acknowledges that it will take a while to recover. She pauses, struggling to find the words through the residue of her anguish. “It’s a heartbreak because it’s important to so many of us on the team, and it definitely didn’t end how we wanted it to.”

Loss always seems to elicit a lecture on character, but there is something about pain that gives it a shade of splendour. Christie knows this. “I think the cruel beauty of sports lies in its unpredictability,” she admits, “but I’m proud to be part of a batch that everyone had high expectations for. Even when things on the pitch get rough and we’re not always happy with one another, I know we all try our best and love the game for what it is, and that’s what makes playing with [my team] so enjoyable. I take pride in the fact that we played a good game even for the ones we lost, and that we managed to showcase the beauty of the sport.”

I think the cruel beauty of sports lies in its unpredictability.

Vice-Captain Christie Soo (19A01B)

Captain Catherine Kausikan (19A01B) echoes this sentiment, expressing her pride in her team for “fighting with dignity and playing the kind of game [they’ve] been training to play”. She does not forget the people who have supported them every step of the way, sharing that the team wanted to do well “not just for our own goals, but because of our teachers […] who have invested so much in us”.

High hopes easily become a burden, but the team accepts it, and wears it as a reminder that they have something to fight for in each and every game they play. So they will run against the merciless hands of time, unflinching even in the face of imminent defeat, regal even in the aftermath.  

RI Roster

Michelle Glazov (#2), Jolene Tay (#4), Abigail Tan (#5), Megan Lim (#6), Nooriyah Moochhala (#7), Quek Lin Yuan (#8), Lim Qi Hui (#9), Chen Siyu (#10), Sofea Harris Wong (#11), Milanpreet Kaur Bajwa (#13), Rebecca Ng (#14), Nur Amira (#15), Christie Soo (#16), Nur Syahindah (#17), Seow Si Min (#18), Alyssa Chia (#19), Chua Bing Ya (#20), Catherine Kausikan (#21), Rebecca Tan (#22), Zitin Bali (#25)

By Benjamin Lim (19S03I), Kwee Qiao Ying (19S03K), and Yoon Shwe Yee (19S03B)
Photos by Louise Tan (20S06D) and Miki Tan (20S03P) of Raffles Photographic Society

On 16th May, our Boys’ and Girls’ badminton teams headed towards Pasir Ris Sports Centre to fight for the Bronze and Gold medals respectively. With both teams playing against a long-time rival, Hwa Chong Institution (HCI), there was much anticipation for the final matches. To win, both teams would have to secure victory in three out of five consecutive games, each out of 21 points. The high score required to win made each game particularly long and intense, tiring out the players with each drawn-out battle.

Boys’ Team
The high stakes competition started off with a singles match, with Timothy Phang (19S03T) representing the institution. Raffles started off strong with a solid 7-17 lead, both players putting up a good fight with long intervals between scoring. Timothy was adept and quick on his feet, hitting the shuttlecock back with practiced ease, eventually winning the first match with 21 points against Hwa Chong.

Next, the first doubles match was kicked off by Gee Qi Hao (20S07B) and Edward Png Guo Jun (19S06I). They were adept at responding to their opponents’ every move, matching them point to point for the first few minutes of the match, resulting in a tie for the first five minutes of the game. Despite falling behind Hwa Chong in the later part of the game, they never faltered in their efforts. When the score reached 11-5 in favour of Hwa Chong with both teams in a deadlock, a break was announced and both teams huddled close together engaged in tense discussions. It was clear that much was at stake; yet, even in the stressful atmosphere, they still displayed camaraderie for their fellow teammates by giving each other encouraging pats. There was a light-hearted moment when one of the Hwa Chong players fell down in excitement, providing a bit of relief amongst the intensely competitive atmosphere. After the break, the Raffles duo soon caught up to Hwa Chong, eventually winning 21-17.

The subsequent second singles match pitted Nigel Yap Zhe Ming (20S06I) against Hwa Chong once again. He moved quickly and gracefully on the often slippery court, returning the opponent’s shots with light movements that contrasted against the heavier style adopted by Hwa Chong.  Throughout the match, he smiled or pumped his fist in the air when he scored a point, clearly enjoying himself. He scored consistently, never letting the opponent get too far ahead, and his effort won him the match with a score of 21-14, clinching a win for Raffles.

The second doubles match featured Andy Hu Shuang (20A13A) and Keenan Tan Chuan Hean (19S07C), who showed great teamwork and dedication while playing. It was a fast-paced match with points racking up on both sides till both teams tied at 21-21, meaning that the match would go on until one team scored two consecutive points. Everyone watched the shuttlecock with bated breath to see which side it would land in. Emotions ran high, with one of the players on the sidelines throwing down his racket in frustration at one point. The riveting match ended with a conclusive score of 26-24 to Hwa Chong.

The next match certainly did not disappoint, with the strong performance by the entire Boys’ Team kept up till the third singles match, played by Bai Yun Xuan (20S06R). Winning this match would mean victory for the entire team—the stakes were high, and he most certainly knew it. Both sides showed great support for the players, taking turns to chant school cheers and waving their flags high in the air to show school pride. The match was well-fought out—whenever Yun Xuan’s opponent scored, he would be quick to retaliate and score another to match. Both schools were locked in a tie for much of the first half of the game, until Yun Xuan quickly gained a lead, starting with 15-9 to Raffles. His perseverance and consistency eventually won Raffles the second singles round, conclusively winning the whole singles competition for the institution.

The Boys’ Team had achieved commendable successes in both the Singles and Doubles Divisions. It was now up to the girls to bring complete victory to the institution.

Girls’ Team

Over at the next court, Ashley Lee (20S03N) kicked off the girls’ first match in a singles game against her Hwa Chong opponent. The two players were seemingly evenly matched, with each player taking turns to score, such that the point difference hardly strayed far from just one point. Indeed, it seemed that it could have been anyone’s game—until the 16-16 tie, when Ashley surged forward and won four consecutive rallies with a few agile returns at the corners of the court, leading to an eventual victory of 21-17. In the second set, Ashley once again pulled through after she received advice and words of encouragement from her coach during the mid-game interval break, triumphing 21-14.

Next, Beatrice Cheng (19S03T) and Ashley Lim (20S03L) were up in the first doubles game of the day. Quick and light on their feet, the two complemented each other’s playing style well and took the first game 21-14. Their second set was arguably the most intense one of the day, reaching a tie of 20-20 and bringing the entire Raffles Team to their feet to cheer their teammates on. Alas, the pair made an unfortunate mistake at a critical moment, and narrowly lost to Hwa Chong 21-23. Nonetheless, Beatrice and Ashley did not let the minor setback discourage them, and bounced back in the third set, securing a second win for the team with their spectacular victory of 21-9.

Representing the Girls’ Team in the next singles match was Arielle Koh (19S03D), who maintained a calm demeanour throughout her games; even when she won a point, she vocalised her joy with only a short and soft cry. Whenever she was a few points behind, she dauntlessly and steadily caught up. However, despite valiant efforts against her formidable opponent, Arielle lost the two sets 18-21 and 16-21 respectively.

The fourth game saw Melissa Chua (19S06K) and Sophia Loo (20S03M) in a doubles game against another pair from Hwa Chong. Although the latter pair fought their hardest, Raffles dominated the playing field and maintained the lead throughout the game, emerging victorious with a score of 21-12. In the second set, Melissa and Sophia displayed their flawless teamwork once more, consistently guarding and covering all sides of the court. After the last smash turned the score 21-8, the Girls’ Team rushed onto the court and enveloped the two players in a big group hug, celebrating and sharing their joy—Melissa and Sophia’s win had secured Raffles the Gold medal.

It was finally time for the last match of the day, where Nicole Ng (20A01D) faced off against her contender in an exciting game, consisting of just two sets. The shuttlecock was seen grazing the net a few times in nail-biting moments, and smashes were executed powerfully by both players. Yet Nicole was markedly more skilful than her opponent, taking the lead from the start and eventually defeating her by an impressive margin of 21-11. In the following set, her opponent slowly narrowed the score difference in resilient attempts to catch up, but was still no match for Nicole, who won 21-16.

After all the matches were concluded, the players shook hands with their Hwa Chong opponents. Some supporters were also seen congratulating their friends and batchmates on their resounding victories by hugging and taking pictures with them. Our Girls’ Team had successfully reclaimed the championship trophy and along with the Boys’ Team, brought honour to the institution.

Our Badminton Boys’ and Girls’ teams most certainly did the school proud by achieving commendable results. The Boys’ Team Captain, Timothy Phang said how “leading this team has been the most incredible journey for (him) here at Raffles and (he was) so glad to have achieved so much with (his teammates) over the last six years.” He also mentioned to his juniors to “keep working hard! Learn from our losses and bounce back stronger next year!”

The Girls’ Team Captain Melissa Chua also wanted to express her gratitude to her team: “Well done team! This season has not been smooth sailing for us but (she was) really thankful that (everyone) all pulled through the tough times together.” Melissa was also “truly proud of (everyone). It is (her) honour to be part of this team whom (she) knows will always be there for one another, no matter what happens.”

And with that, Raffles Press would like to congratulate both badminton teams on their remarkable achievements, and wishes them the very best in their competitions to come!

Boys’ Team Members
Captain: Timothy Phang Li Wern (19S03T)
Vice-Captain: Li Zheng Yu (19S06Q)

Edward Png Guo Jun (19S06I)
Keenan Tan Chun Hean (19S07C)
Andy Hu Shuang (20A13A)
Bai Yun Xuan (20S06R)
Gee Qi Hao (20S07B)
Nigel Yap Zhe Ming (20S06I)

Girls’ Team Members
Captain: Chua Pei En, Melissa (19S06K)
Vice Captain: Cheng Ming Shuen Beatrice (19S03T)

Koh Jin Ann, Arielle (19S03D)
Ashley Lee Shi Hui (20S03N)
Ashley Lim Zhi Yan (20S03L)
Loo Yi Xuan Sophia (20S03M)
Nicole Ng Gin Yi (20A01D)

Edit (5/6/19): An earlier version of the article inaccurately named the players in one of the photos, and was also missing two photos.

By Rachel Leong (20A01A), Megan Soh (20A01B), Mah Xiao Yu (20A01B)
Photos courtesy of Jensen Huang (20S06T) of Raffles Photographic Society and the Raffles Rugby Parents Association

On 16 May 2019, busloads of supporters filled Queenstown Stadium. The atmosphere was brimming with excitement and anticipation, yet there was also tension in the air. It was clear that it would be a tough battle ahead. This year would be Raffles’ fourth going against Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (ACS(I)), an opponent with a daunting five year winning streak. As both teams did their warm-ups on the field, councillors in Team Raffles polo tees handed out inflatable clappers, face paint and stickers, in efforts to hype up the crowd and drum up as much support as possible for the Raffles ruggers.

The players then knelt down on the ground and wrapped their arms around one another’s backs, a show of unity against all odds. It was this motivating force of comradeship that would keep their spirits up and keep them going throughout the game. In intense concentration and focus, the captain gave them a final pep talk and the team psyched themselves up for one of the most important matches of their JC sports career.

Now set to give their all, the Raffles ruggers made their way to the front of the stadium to the warm reception and applause of the audience. With chins held high, exuding auras of utmost confidence, the team captains, along with the teachers-in-charge and competition committee, went around shaking hands with their teams. A councillor raised the Raffles flag high and cheers resounded once more as both teams prepared to start the game. With a final rallying cry, fists pumped up in the air and hearts beating as one, the Raffles ruggers were ready to face their longtime rival once more.

The game started off strong, both teams eager to be the first to score. All the players grappled persistently for the ball, which was constantly kicked and thrown from one side of the field to the other. But with strong defences and forceful tackles, it was clear to see that ACS(I) and Raffles were quite evenly matched and neither was able to break through and score. Both schools amped up their cheering in response to this tug-of-war and ardent roars of encouragement reverberated throughout both sides of the bleachers. Finally, 13 minutes into the game, ACS(I) scored the first try of the game after breaking through a solid line of Raffles defenders, winning them five points. With that try, they went on to score a conversion, earning them another two points. Seeing this, the Raffles supporters’ spirits were slightly dampened, but it did not take long before their feelings of disappointment were also converted into determination and encouragement towards the team.

After a short timeout for the teams to regroup, the game resumed with renewed intensity. Muhammad Wafiq Aqil B W S (19A01C), wielding the ball with tremendous bravery, charged against the incoming horde of ACSI ruggers fearlessly. Later, Gideon Kee (19S03P) tore across almost half the field before being tackled. These bold acts of courage, however, did not come without consequences. Joshua Choy (19S06G) felt the brunt of an especially violent scrimmage, clutching his face while lying on the ground. Eventually, with a great deal of pain, he rose to his feet and left the field with loud applause echoing behind him, remaining all the while proud and undeterred. Dillion Chong (19S06R) had also been unfortunately injured, having to limp off the field as another player took his place on the field. Regardless, both the injured players retained their sense of composure and took the misfortunes in their stride. They listened to the impassioned cheers of the audience members who were commending them for a job well done, and thanking them for the painful sacrifices they had to make.

With the conclusion of the first half, the team was down 7-0 and tensions were soaring; Raffles supporters were on the edge of their seats, anxious for the tables to be turned. They rose to their feet with renewed purpose, cheering their lungs out as the steady beat of the drum continued, like a Rafflesian heart that never falters in faith. “We, the supporters, are part of this match too,” Chew Jay Hong (19A13A), the Student Council President, bellowed during halftime, with a deep sense of conviction. “We need every one of us to step up.” And it was this passion that drove many councillors and supporters to cheer themselves hoarse, to give their all along with the rugby team.

The beginning of the second half matched the first in vigour. All eyes were trained on the ball and the players hurled themselves at it constantly. Their passion and resilience allowed them to push their way into ACS(I)’s defence area within the first ten minutes. And it definitely paid off when Raffles was given a penalty kick and scored three points for the team—the first points for Raffles since the game started.

Almost halfway into the second half, the ball was kicked high into the air, arcing over the players’ heads and towards the opposite end of the field. It seemed like nobody would be there to catch it, but in a flash of green that tore across the field, Muhammad Wafiq Aqil B W S was there in an instant and caught the ball swiftly. Once again, the Raffles ruggers broke into ACS(I)’s defence perimeter, and in a frozen moment of bated breath, Gideon Kee scored a touchdown, winning them yet another five points and a round of exhilarated roars. Finally, Raffles’ score was pulling ahead, leading 8-0 in the second half. The crowd of Rafflesians went into a wild frenzy, leaping off their seats to scream with renewed vigour, cheering energetically for the team. Spurred on, the Raffles ruggers continued their game with reinvigorated hope surging through their veins.

However, it was not long before ACS(I) scored another try, followed by a conversion. This brought them up to eight points, escalating the tensions as both teams were now on equal footing. The councillors, sensing how heated the match was becoming, led the school in the Rafblood cheer, where Rafflesians channelled all their energy and spirit into the hope of a Rafflesian victory. Morale boosted and charged with determination, the Raffles ruggers continued their tough battle for the championship.

Both teams gave their utmost effort, with powerful scrimmages happening often. A particularly memorable one started off with Raffles kicking the ball high and far, only for ACS(I) to get ahold of it and return it to the other side of the court with a strong kick of their own. Audience members watched in anticipation, heads swerving side to side and eyes wide, only to be broken by cries of relief when Raffles regained control of the ball thanks to Bervyn Wong’s (19S02A) quick reflexes and solid catch.

Despite all efforts, however, the game came to an end without any new goals. Even though Raffles put up a tough fight and battled till the end, ACS(I) emerged as champions of the A Division Police Cup. The evident sense of disappointment among all Rafflesians notwithstanding, a new desire arose among the spectators to cheer the team up and thank them for all their effort. And so, the Raffles supporters in the bleachers broke out in applause to convey to the team that regardless of the result, they had done the school proud.

Out on the field, the Raffles ruggers exemplified their strongest virtue that had sustained them from start to end—togetherness in the face of all adversity. United in solace, the team comforted one another with reassuring pats on the back and brotherly hugs, even between the coach and players. Much more heartbreakingly, they helped one another get back on their feet, providing support and holding tightly onto those who were injured and limping. The team had already begun the game with a small squad as they had already lost players to injuries even before the match. One such player was Zhu Hongpeng (19S06I), who “sacrificed his shoulder to save a try […] in March.” Joshua and Dillion had, too, put themselves on the line for the team and a shot at victory, and now the team had become even smaller. “It was emotional to see [one of our teammates subbed out early on during the match and] have his season end early, but it was motivation for fighting the rest of the match,” vice-captain Sek Ray (19S06G) told us.

As the team approached the bleachers with regret and frustration etched on their faces, the school broke out in a final Rafblood cheer in appreciation of their dedication. The team responded by singing the Institution Anthem and were soon joined by the spectators. The familiar melody of the anthem evoked a deep sense of pathos among the spectators, and it was at that moment that the pain of loss was truly felt. After all, the team had trained rigorously for months and shed blood, sweat and tears in hopes of emerging victorious, only to fall short.

And yet, they remained bravely stoic through it all.

The event ended with the Raffles ruggers gathering for a final team huddle, with team captain Gideon Kee standing in the centre giving his teammates one more consolation. He clutched tightly onto the pole of the Raffles flag, letting it soar high and proud, undeterred by the circumstances. “I felt extremely heartbroken after the match,” Gideon admitted. “Most players gave their all in that match. Some weren’t even suppose[d] to play in their condition but they held in their pain for the sake of the team. As captain, I felt that I didn’t bring the result my team deserved.” Despite feelings of regret, however, the strength of their brotherhood shone through as they encouraged one another to hold their heads high through the tears and helped those who were injured off the field.

I’m grateful for my team. It’s not easy to find people who are willing to die for you. My team is my family.

Gideon Kee (19S03P)

And although the J2s would be leaving their found family soon, they were determined that their juniors will carry on their legacy and continue to bring glory for Raffles. “Don’t forget why you are training so hard and always remember: the pain is temporary, but glory is forever,” asserted Ray. In the meantime, Gideon declared resolutely, “Bow to no one.”

Raffles Rugby has displayed comradeship and fervent hope in the midst of all struggle, and ultimately, they have made their mark in courageous pursuit of their passion till the very end. Though it was a hard match, the players’ dedication, passion and immense fighting spirit were evident in the way they went all out from start to finish, never losing hope and never giving up halfway. We sincerely thank the Raffles rugby team for giving it their all in the finals. Raffles Press would like to wish Raffles Rugby all the very best in their upcoming endeavours, and may they continue to keep our colours flying!

Team members

#15 – Gideon Kee An (19S03P) — Captain
#5 – Sek Ray (19S06G) — Vice-captain
#2 – Goh Kai Jen Nicholas (20S03F)
#3 – Aiman Jianhao B Ikram (19S05B)
#4 – Kee Yun Shao (19S06M)
#6 – Chamapun Kongpote (19S03S)
#7 – Izaac Tay Yi Ren (19S05B)
#8 – Chong Dillion (19S06R)
#9 – Jonathan Christopher Lim Shao Hwei (20S06K)
#10 – Wong Wei Feng Bervyn (19S02A)
#11 – Spencer Wee Ye Kai (20S07A)
#12 – Muhammad Wafiq Aqil B W S (19A01C)
#13 – Goh Zheng Hui, Javille (19S07C)
#14 – Murugaiah Jayaprakash (20S06T)
#16 – Ho Kai En (19S03C)
#17 – Joshua Choy Weng Yew (19S06G)
#18 – Jordan Poon (19S05B)
#20 – Joshua Poon (19A01C)
#21 – Ang Ben Yao, Aldrick (20S06T)
#23 – Jordan Teo (19S06K)
#24 – Ho Jun Wei, Matthew (20S06U)
#25 – Lai Jiang Yao, Joshua (19S06T)
#26 – Kollaart Leon Samuel (20S06S)
Zhu Hongpeng (19S06I)

By Val Yeo (20S03O) and Rachael Koh (20S07C)

Photographs courtesy of Chun Jun Ran (20S06H) from Raffles Photographic Society

Taking our seats on the spectator stand, we see them coming onto the court, bathed in a glow. To people who can barely play basketball, the basketball team seems awe-inspiring. Yet, the road to the finals was not easy. Behind this glamorous appearance is hours of practice and countless injuries—even now, more than half the team are wearing knee guards and ankle guards. Despite losing 3 out of 4 of the quarterfinal matches, the team managed to narrowly squeeze into the top four, beating Nanyang Junior College to get into the finals. Pitted against Hwa Chong once again, they are determined to win the championship back after having lost it to Dunman High School last year.

The match begins with supporters cheering enthusiastically in a show of school spirit. Raffles passes the ball, and the team is off. They immediately settle into their positions, running into open space to support each other with the ease of a well oiled machine. Both teams are trying to score, as this first quarter may set the pace for the rest of the match. Raffles attempts their first layup, only to fail and have the rebound go to Hwa Chong—but they don’t let it faze them for long. The players, determined to score the first goal of the game, run faster and harder to regain possession of the ball. And they do, only a minute and a half into the game. Raffles’ first goal only motivates them to push themselves harder, and they intercept the ball from Hwa Chong several times to attempt to score. The hall is filled with cheers from both sides—on ours, encouragement can be heard as councillors lead the classes in ‘let’s go Raffles, let’s go’, and on theirs, shouts of ‘defend, defend’ ring out. As Raffles scores their third goal, Hwa Chong’s coach calls for a timeout for a quick change in strategy to counter Raffles’ attack.

When the game starts again, both teams go all out. Resolve can be seen in the players’ eyes, determined to widen the score gap. Hwa Chong seems to be rejuvenated, scoring their first goal. But Team Raffles is not to be outdone. They manage to steal the ball, scoring the very first 3-pointer of the game. The game continues, both teams spurred on by the cheers of supporters, and the hopes of their fellow teammates riding on them. Nine seconds before the buzzer sounds, team captain Tan Kang Yi (19S03F) manages to score, putting the scoreboard at 15-9 with Raffles in the lead.

The team is almost haggard in appearance as they walk off the court. Sweat drips from their faces, red with exhaustion. Even from a distance, we can see the heaving of their chests. It is in this moment that we really realise that Basketball isn’t as simple as it is seen to be —the support teammates have to give each other, the split second decisions they have to make, the fast pace of the game are all aspects that players have to be accustomed to. Yet, the players make it seem so effortless, almost as if it is second nature to them.

Hwa Chong begins in the second quarter, set on closing the score gap, but the team’s accurate reading of the game enables a turnover of the ball, and Freda Wee (20S06Q) manages to score. With frustration evident in the faces of some Hwa Chong players, they begin to attack more aggressively to try and take the lead in the game; yet, Raffles is unwilling to give the lead away without a fight. Even after missing a goal, Freda clings onto the rebound with a Hwa Chong player for the chance of possession for our team. With high morale among the spectators, we shout out cheers for her display of passion as the score gap continues to widen, ending the quarter with a final score of 25-14.

Once the ball is thrown, signalling the start of the third quarter, the atmosphere of the court immediately changes, now charged with the players’ intense focus. Raffles’ players’ bodies twist to keep the ball as far away as possible from outstretched hands before going for a fake. Within the first 22 seconds, Raffles gets past the defence of Hwa Chong and scores the first goal of the quarter, putting them at an even bigger lead of 13 points with a score of 27-14.

Not even two minutes into the game, a break is called. Players from both schools trickle off the court and gather in a circle with their respective coaches, who give them tips and suggestions for improving their gameplay. When the players head back on court after talking to their coaches, their faces show their determination to do better than before.

The game continues with Hwa Chong starting the ball. Players constantly maneuver the ball  skillfully and smartly to escape their opponent’s block, never failing to elicit amazed wows from the spectators. However, just as the game grows increasingly intense, two players on the court fall after going after the ball, the loud thud silencing the audience. Barely one minute later, Hwa Chong fouls and Raffles is given a free throw. Kang Yi stands at the free throw line, bouncing the ball a few times before aiming at the hoop. While the first ball doesn’t make it in, the second falls in with a satisfying thwap and the players rush beneath the hoop in a bid to catch the ball and gain possession.

But things take a turn for the worse. In a matter of three minutes, Raffles fouls an additional four times, causing them to have a total of five fouls in the game and giving Hwa Chong a free throw. Both balls make it into the hoop, closing the gap between the scores slightly at 32-18. Raffles can only try harder not to foul by preventing collisions with the Hwa Chong players, not wanting to give Hwa Chong any more free throws. The game progresses cleanly from here, both teams scoring a few points each. When the timer reaches zero, the third quarter ends with the score at 34-21 to Raffles.

As the game enters its fourth and final quarter, expectations run high for the Raffles players to win while Hwa Chong grows tense at the 13-point gap. Raffles starts the ball this time and the two teams attempt to outplay each other on the court, scoring a few more points with well-strategised and well-coordinated shots. With 3 minutes 22 seconds left on the clock, a break is called. As the team discusses their strategy, the Raffles spectators erupt into Raffles Dynamite to show their support for the team.

The game continues after the break and players, no matter how drained, still strive to do their best on the court. Zhu Yezi (19S03R) and player #11 from Hwa Chong grab the rebound simultaneously, unwilling to give up possession of the ball. They fall to the floor together, a mess of tangled limbs and sweat, yet arms still trapping the ball in a vice-like grip. The audience lets out a loud woah at the show of ferocity from both players as the referee approaches them before announcing it to be Raffles’ ball for the game to continue.

Nearing the end of the game, we are all on the edge of our seats, unconsciously finding ourselves chanting along with the countdown,

“Three!

Two!

One!”

As the timer blinks to show 0:00, the spectators burst into cheers and teammates rush onto the court to embrace one another. With a scoreline of 52-33, Raffles has won. The team laughs and cheers in elation, gathering in a circle to celebrate while the coach smiles from the sidelines. The grins on the players’ face stretch widely and as to whether there are some tears of joy mixed with the sweat on their faces, we can only guess.

In a show of sportsmanship, all players from both teams line up and shake hands with their opponents, smiles on their faces. We then get up and do the Unite cheer, as the team heads towards the stand, hand-in-hand, to take a bow. This moment, despite all its chaos, is one where everyone is united in their elation.

Having defied all odds after coming in last among the top four teams in the quarterfinals, Raffles’ win did not come easy. As team captain Kang Yi put it, “Losing to these teams made it harder for us to believe that we could win the next time.” They were not only challenged physically, some suffering from ankle injuries and even a broken nose, but also had to face doubt and take on falling morale. The players pushed themselves to the limit on the court, evident from their drenched backs, taut muscles and determined eyes. From coming in last in the quarterfinals to first in the finals, they had gone against everyone’s expectations to become the overall champions.

And after today’s match, we wholeheartedly agree—they are more than individuals, more than a team. They are a family.

Players:

#3 Aw Han Xi (19S03L)

#4 Bridget Lum Hui Xin (19S03C)

#7 Zhu Ye Zi (19S03R)

#9 Aisling Lum (19S03N)

#10 Ong Xuan Yi Mabel (20S03G)

#11 Aw Zi Yann (20S07A)

#12 Tan Kang Yi (19S03F)

#13 Wee Yi-Ning Freda (20S06Q)

#15 Katrina Lee Liying (19S06J)

#16 Wang Tingyu Kelly (20S06N)

#17 Angela Wang (19S03Q)

#19 Teo Shu’En (20A01A)

By Emily Ni (20S03C) and Kelly Leong (20S07C)
Photos courtesy of Jenson Huang (20S06T) of Raffles Photographic Society

The atmosphere crackles with an electrifying energy as spectators stream into Jurong East Sports Hall. On the court are long-time rivals Raffles Institution (RI) and Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC), gearing up for the final game of the season. Much is riding on the shoulders of these athletes—the RI netball team had lost their four-year winning streak to ACJC in 2017. They are now huddled in a circle before the match, clearly determined to make their comeback. Friends, seniors and family alike have gathered in the stands to ardently cheer them on.

After a short introduction of the players from both teams, the referee blows the whistle for the first quarter, and the spectator stand comes alive with school cheers. On court, the RI players move with practised agility, intercepting passes and preventing goals from being scored by the opposing team. With players darting about within their zones and leaping gracefully to catch the ball, it is no wonder that by the five minute mark, goals have been scored by both teams. At one point, in a show of great speed and practised manoeuvres, Yu Jiawei (20S03F), the Goal Shooter of RI, narrowly avoids two defenders and scores a point. As players continue the quarter, there is a brief scuffle for the ball after an unsuccessful pass, with RI gaining possession to the triumphant shouts of their supporters.

The quarter ends with a scoreline of 15-10 in favour of ACJC and the court is vacated for a break. Quiet murmurs ripple through the spectator stands while players can be seen huddling in a circle as the coach gives out important words of advice for the remainder of the game.

The supporters of both teams return with fervour as the second quarter takes off, the RI supporters chanting “Let’s go Raffles, Let’s go!”. In the midst of the strikingly fast-paced match, there are plenty of fouls, where the piercing sound of the whistle blown by the referee causes a pause in the game and a quick readjustment of the players on the court. This quarter is also fraught with many heart-stopping instances of changing possession, with the RI netball team determined to catch up and even the score. As the game continues, the spectators remain transfixed as an RI players sends the ball sailing through the air in an arch, heading for the edge of the court. Hushed gasps are heard and everyone sits a little straighter in their seats, for a ball that goes out means a change in possession. Fortunately, Alexandra Mei Tan (19S06C), RI’s Centre for the quarter, snatches the ball before it touches the ground, effectively saving RI’s shot at the goal.

Unfortunately, not everything goes smoothly, and not every attempt at a goal succeeds. RI misses a goal twice, ultimately losing the ball to ACJC. Nevertheless, the quarter ends with RI narrowing the score gap by a point, making the scoreline 25-21 in ACJC’s favour.

The third quarter is by far the most intense one. Captain Keziah Vickraman (19S05A) tells us later that many players on the team—herself included—were “playing through injuries”, and that it really comes down to “mind over matter”, where the will to win overcomes the pain of one’s injuries and allows the athletes to focus on the match at hand. This is definitely demonstrated in this quarter—there is no lack of crashing, stumbling and falling from both schools, but all players get up almost immediately. Keziah herself trips and lands on her injured knee, but gets up to play on for the rest of the match.

The players give their very best, narrowing the score gap to a mere three points no more than five minutes into the quarter. Things are beginning to look up. When ACJC tries to pass the ball to their shooter in one round, Emma Isabel Morgan (20A01C), RI’s Goal Keeper for the match, jumps up to successfully intercept the ball and passes it swiftly to her teammates. Throughout the match, she makes other valiant attempts to block her opponent and constantly put pressure on the ACJC shooter. “I foresaw myself defending the tall shooter,” Emma tells us, “and I had to make full use of my game sense and speed to intercept the earlier balls.”

In one nerve-wracking instance, Rebecca Leong (19S06C), the Goal Attacker, takes a shot and the ball teeters at the edge of the goal. As everyone holds their breath, the ball eventually falls in, leading to loud cheering from the spectators.

However, things take a sour turn for the RI team as ACJC fights back, with long passes to their Goal Shooter who scores with almost every shot. Tensions are also running high among the audience. Heated protests against the umpire’s ruling of the game arise when the umpire calls out an RI player for a foul, effectively changing the possession of the ball and allowing ACJC to score. Emma also reveals that the ACJC team had read into the RI team’s strategy by this time, deciding to pass directly to their shooter rather than make short passes. Unfortunately, the gap between the scores grows ever wider and the scoreline remains in ACJC’s favour at 38-29.

The audience is unusually subdued during the break before the final quarter, knowing that it is vital that the players can concentrate. However, once the quarter starts, the spectators give their all in cheering the team on. A number of players have been rotated out, a decision made by the coach to help the flow of the play. RI scores the first goal—eliciting thunderous applause—while  Emma saves a ball from right under the basket in another attempt to score, narrowly avoiding the widening of the score gap.

By this time in the game, most players have been playing for more than 45 minutes and are visibly heaving. And yet, as they approach the final moments of the match, they are relentless, not giving in despite the odds not being in their favour. Instead, they perform breathtaking saves and throws in order to hopefully turn the tides. The spectators, too, are relentless in their support, cheering on the athletes with shouts of “All the way, All the way!”.

As the finals come to an end with three sharp whistles, the ACJC supporters let out cheers as ACJC takes the win with a scoreline of 53-38. While the ACJC team celebrates, the RI players, visibly crestfallen, huddle on the court, no doubt consoling each other with pats on the back. As the event comes to a close, the team stands in a line with their arms on each others’ backs, and takes a bow in the direction of the RI spectators. This elicits loud cheers to affirm their efforts, and congratulate them on a match well-fought.  

It was a hard-fought match indeed. Ms Shafarina, one of the teachers-in-charge of Netball, expresses praise for the team. “It was truly inspiring to see the Rafflesian spirit,” she said. “The girls’ never-say-die attitude and grit definitely saw them through to the end.” In a show of support, she addresses the parents of the team: “Your daughters are already champions”.

Loh Jia Yi (20S06Q) remarks that she is “very proud that [her team] managed to pull through”, and that they “did a good job”. Indeed, the season was not a smooth-sailing journey for the team, but their determination and grit saw them through. Watching them play with such fluidity and grace, it’s hard to tell that some of them, if not most, have struggled with some degree of performance anxiety; even Emma, who fearlessly defended the tall shooter, was not immune to this. “I was filled with a lot of self-doubt throughout the season—in fact, all the way up until the semi-finals match,” she admits. “However, my coach and teammates gave me a wake-up call. They gave me the push I needed, and I will forever be grateful.”

“I’m proud of my team for not giving up until the final whistle was blown.

Emma Morgan (20A01C)

Above all, it was the unity and spirit of the team—even through batches—that allowed them to press on even when the going got rough. Keziah, while visibly disappointed with the results, tells us that she was “glad to [have been] part of the process, because [the process] [would] stay with [them] for years to come.”

Raffles Press would like to congratulate the A Division Netball team for their outstanding achievements this sporting season and wish them all the best for their future matches!

Players

Goal Shooter: Yu Jiawei (20S03F)
Goal Attack: Rebecca Leong (19S06C)
Wing Attack: Grace Poong (19S06L), Nicole Hia (20S06C)
Centre: Alexandra Tan (19S06C), Grace Poong (19S06L)
Wing Defence: Ashlyn Poon (20S06Q)
Goal Defence: Keziah Vickraman (19S05A)Goal Keeper: Emma Isabel Morgan (20A01C)

By Emily Ni (20S03C) and Huang Beihua (20A03A)
Photos by Kevin Lee (20S06T) and Geng Heqin (20S06S) of Raffles Photographic Society, and the writers

Raffles Ultimate seems plagued by cruel weather—just last year, they were knee deep in mud, and now, Mother Nature has so kindly bestowed upon them much lauded rays of sun. Still, there is nothing to be done: they fought in the rain, and will now fight in the sun. Do not cringe, just yet, at this reference to the school cheer: their final match will live up to every bit of the unwavering, resolved spirit behind the mantra.

It has been a nerve-wracking weekend for the competitors: both the J1 and J2 teams faced tough opponents in the previous day of competitions. Never mind that the match is not to start for another half an hour: be it warm-ups, some last practice, or final instructions, there are always more efforts that can be made, and Team Raffles will not spare any. After all, an intense two-day affair of non-stop head-to-head is to culminate in this final match, which will determine if the team is able to defend their championship title from 2018.

The match’s location in the far-flung NTU does not deter supporters as they line the perimeter of the playing field to cheer their CCA mates and friends on. The players themselves, meanwhile, bounce in anticipation, throwing around frisbees to relieve some of their nerves as they gear up for their final match of the day.

Frisbee is primarily a self-refereed game, with the players acting as umpires. In a unique practice in sports termed “the spirit of the game”, the game’s integrity is reliant on the players’ own. Whenever the possession of the frisbee is contested, the game will give way to players’ passionate—but always civil—arguments, until a consensus is reached. 

The finals begin at 4.30 p.m., with Raffles Institution (RI) facing River Valley High School (RV). RI starts off strong, impressively scoring the first goal of the game—and then the second—barely ten minutes into the hour-long duel. Cheers break out as both teams try their best to prevent the other from scoring. One impressive instance sees RI intercept the frisbee in midair barely a hair’s length away from RV’s scoring zone—the crowd bellows, echoing the player’s celebratory cry.

RV tries their hardest, but RI’s rousing performance stands its ground. A whistle blows at thirty minutes to signify half-time, by which time RI has pulled ahead with the score at 5-1. As if on cue, the spectators rush canteens and bottles of water to the team amid torrents of encouragement. The team’s camaraderie shines through with pats and hugs, as the players ready themselves for the second half of what, judging by the score, seems like a certain victory. 

Except it is far from one—no sooner has the starting whistle faded than RV scores its second goal of the day.

And then its third. And then its fourth. And then its fifth. 

As RI’s once-impermeable lead crumbles, we find ourselves fist-clenched as the two teams begin to fight neck-to-neck. We are hardly the only ones caught in the nerve-wrecking tension that permeates the arena: a watchful suspense now descends on the field in a way not seen in the first half, punctuated only by coaches’ frantic gestures and boisterous cheering—that once was the reserve for successful goals—every time an interception is made. 

And then, RV scores their sixth goal. 

We pay little attention to how the RV side of the field appears, overwhelmed in the dead silence here in the Rafflesian half. With barely ten minutes left on the clock, we message our editors, forlorn, asking for advice on sensitivity if Raffles loses. 

It is strange how, at this moment, those most impervious to nervousness are the ones whom we would expect to be the most afraid: the athletes themselves. Speaking to us after the event, team captain Leo Qi En (19S06S) revealed that even as “[they] fumbled” and as “RV managed to take the lead near the end”, “[they] kept their composure and managed to push through.” Disappointment can wait, shock can wait, but victory cannot.

With the countdown ticking toward zero, both teams fight hard as the stakes grow ever higher. RV sends the frisbee dashing towards the scoring zone and RI responds with a desperate leap right in front of the scoring line—the player’s fingers barely graze the frisbee, but it is enough to send the crucial goal out of RV hands. Without hesitation, the frisbee glides back towards RI, but a sliding save by our players is just one second too late after the precious plate has touched the ground. 

There is a brief time-out as the coaches of both teams enter the field for some encouragement and tips to the players, springing back to battle as soon as a team huddle is done. 

Athletes from both teams dive—one intercepting and another scoring—but the frisbee drifts past all four hands. Picking up the frisbee, RI’s series of passes immediately pierces the length of the field with practised precision. RV makes repeated dashes towards the player in possession, but RI evades them in the nick of time—

RI scores! 

The Rafflesian supporters erupt in a sea of “GO RAFFLES!”, rejoiced and rejuvenated by a renewed hope for victory. With both teams tied once again as the remaining time dashes past zero, we enter a game of sudden death: whoever scores the next goal wins the championship. 

The game continues with ever-increasing vigour, with both RI and RV making increasingly bold moves trying to outdo the other for that crucial, final goal. Under the backdrop of near-constant cheers, breathtaking manoeuvres like dives and leaps are commonplace on the field, and so are hard falls trying to stop the frisbee in its path. It is clear that the players are fighting tooth and nail. In the midst of the action, we cannot help but notice the bandages on the hand of player #2, or the knee guard on player #20, but they, as do the rest of the team, fight on doggedly. 

We watch with bated breath as RI dives into the scoring zone, the player’s knees grazing the grass as his hands miss the frisbee by centimetres. We watch with a palpitating heart as RV makes a scoring attempt, only to be intercepted far into the field. We watch in fervent anticipation as the frisbee soars across the field, precariously past RV’s outstretched arms—

And we cheer with wild celebration as player #12 leaps into the air, landing with the frisbee—and the championship title—safe in Rafflesian hands once more. 

Supporters roar their joyous approval, rushing onto the field to congratulate our champions. With a final scoreline of 7-6 in our favour, the entire team embrace in ecstasy. After a brief celebratory cheer, the two teams line up and high five each other in a show of admirable sportsmanship. A few tears of happiness are seen, a testament to the overwhelming emotions felt by the team. Finally, in a show of gratitude, they link arms and walk  as a whole to the supporters, before taking a deep bow and saying a heartfelt “Thank You”.

Considering the rocky match whose result remained in suspense till the very end, this year’s Inter-JC match has no doubt been a veritable emotional rollercoaster for the team. They fought to the end with their determination and do not disappoint—it is truly the spirit of the team that allowed them to press on and win a hard-earned victory.

This is definitely an emotional match for the J2s, as it will be their last match before their graduation. Indeed, the inevitability of the team going separate ways only brings on longing for the time gone by; as Qi En puts it, “It’s bittersweet, knowing that I won’t be able to play on the same field as [my] teammates again”. 

However, the unity and teamwork will never be forgotten. “I’ve found people I can call family,” she says with a bright smile. The added dose of satisfaction from defending their title was not lost on the players—Qi En jokingly says, “Thank goodness!” But there is more to the victory than simply remaining defending champions: the real reward was working their way up through every stage and fighting as a team together. 

By Rachel Leong (20A01A) and Jermaine Wong (20S03R)
Photos courtesy of Raffles Photographic Society

It was the bright, sunny afternoon of 17 January 2020, and the stands in the Saint Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC) stadium were filled with rows of supporters. Rafflesians, from Year 1 RI boys in their orientation shirts to Year 6 councillors with their faces painted green, black, and white, had come to watch what was sure to be an exhilarating match. The stadium was abuzz with anticipation for Kiwi Cup, an annual tradition between the rugby teams of Raffles and SAJC. 

On one half of the bleachers, curious SA supporters, clad in red and blue, had gathered by their school field to watch their team play after a long, tiring day of lessons. On the other side of the stands, black, white and green dominated; the Raffles supporters had come a long way to cheer on their team. The electrifying atmosphere was filled with chatter as everyone watched the first game of the tournament, where the teams from the secondary division of both schools battled it out, setting up an exciting background for the second match. Finally, at 3.15 p.m. sharp, the highlight of the day began: the match between the JC teams was about to kick off.

Before the match began, our players huddled together in a tight circle for a final discussion as the crowd cheered them on with their rousing cries of “Raffles! Raffles!”. Their faces lined with steely expressions, the ruggers then lined up and faced the sea of supporters with their arms wound tightly around each others’ backs. The coaches from both teams were invited to walk down the long line of players, graciously encouraging everyone regardless of school, and even stopping occasionally to chat with a few boys.

Once all the players had been greeted, both teams stood still at attention, faces serious and posture ramrod straight. Over the speakers, the Institution Anthem began to blare out, prompting all Rafflesians, ruggers and supporters, to sing along. The team stood tall and firm, their determination to claim victory clearly evident.

The ending of the school songs brought about a rowdy, energetic round of hoots and cheers, with supporters on both sides screaming encouragement with utmost gusto. Against the background of overwhelming support, the teams moved to the lush green expanse of the field, getting into position. In what appeared to be a declaration of war, the SA ruggers re-positioned themselves into a new formation and performed a haka dance, accompanied by loud shouts and body slapping. The cheers of their supporters rang out loud as they moved back into a straight line, and the Raffles ruggers, who had been watching with stony expressions, had their turn to do a cheer in response. Their supporters soon joined in with their enthusiastic cheers of “Unite” and “R-A-F-F-L-E-S”.

The game was off to an intense start; within minutes, players on both teams tackled their opponents unapologetically in their attempts to regain possession of the ball. Soon, the referee’s whistle signalled that a free kick would be awarded to SA, although the Saints ultimately did not manage to score their penalty goal. Reinvigorated, our Rafflesians cheered with renewed fervour every time the ball came near the try line. However, the unforgiving nature of the sport also resulted in several injuries, including one sustained by #5 (Leon Kollart) upon receiving a brutal kick in the head. Despite these setbacks, Team Raffles persevered; after many rough tackles and mauls, #13 (Murugaiah Jayaprakash) snatched the ball and fought through our SA opponents to land a successful try for RI. 

Alas, the Rafflesian players’ headstart was short-lived. The Saints quickly caught up by scoring two consecutive tries. Following that, Raffles jostled for the ball before #15 (Jonathan Lim) received it and prepared to kick it into space. That spurred on further hoots from the Rafflesian supporters, who had started cheering with renewed vigour. Extra shouts ensued when, in a show of incredible strength, #10 (Ray Peh) kicked the ball till it flew off-field, narrowing landing right before the stands and the eyes of stunned supporters. 

In the blink of an eye, an announcement blared out to signal the start of halftime, giving everyone a much-needed rest. Both teams huddled at the far ends of the fields in a tight circle, intensely discussing strategies. The spectators, meanwhile, grabbed a chance to visit the washrooms or to purchase cold drinks from SA’s drink stall as a respite for the blazing hot weather. Finally, the game restarted, everyone returning to the action with clearer minds.

The players once again resumed the game ferociously, both sides giving it their all. Though the Saints held onto their lead persistently, the Raffles ruggers continued to stubbornly chase the ball. #11 (Spencer Wee) managed to get the ball, but lost his chance to score after being tackled by an opposing player. This prompted the Raffles supporters to start another round of screaming, and the councillors enthusiastically led the school in ear-splittingly loud cheers: “when I say Raffles, you say oh!”. Perhaps motivated by the shouts of his supporters, #15 (Jonathan Lim) successfully stole the ball from the rival team to fervent cheers from the stands. The ball flew around in the air as it was passed from member to member swiftly, first from #11 (Spencer Wee) then to #23 (Joshuan Han). The latter ran into a difficult struggle for the ball with a SA rugger, which unfortunately led to SA’s #12 scoring. 

As the rest of the game played on, SA managed to score a few more points. Undeterred, the Rafflesian supporters engaged in round after round of cheers, hoping to encourage their players to not give up. Unfortunately, the last whistle ended the game all too soon. With the final score of 20-5, SA brought home the title of Kiwi Cup victor, snatching away RI’s 2-year winning streak.

Jubilant, the SA team rushed into fierce embraces with one another, while the clearly disheartened Raffles ruggers consoled one another quietly. Both teams gathered at the edge of the field in front of the bleachers, receiving medals from the Kiwi Cup committee. The audience clapped, two sides of the bleachers watching on with conflicting emotions. The Saints were euphoric, cheering on loudly as their team was presented with a large, shiny trophy. Disappointed but nevertheless still proud of the Raffles ruggers, the Rafflesians encouraged them by giving them a final cheer to thank them for their hard efforts. The councillors urged the Raffles supporters to participate in a congratulatory cheer for SA, and shouts for SA rang through the air. 

As the sun set on the end of a long game with the sky coloured beautiful shades of gold and orange, the crowd dispersed, the game no doubt the highlight of their Friday. Both sides left with their hearts filled in different ways. Though RI had lost this year’s Kiwi Cup, there was no mistaking the determination in the Raffles ruggers’ eyes. Undoubtedly thinking ahead to next year’s match, they were ready to fight for the champion title of Kiwi Cup 2021. Though it was a difficult game, the Raffles ruggers had certainly displayed strong fighting spirit, never giving up even when the odds were against them. Raffles Press would like to thank and commend the rugby team for their valiant efforts, and to wish them the best of luck in their future matches!

Team members

#15 – Jonathan Christopher Lim Shao Hwei — Captain
#11 – Spencer Wee — Vice-captain
#12 – Matthew Ho — Secretary
#1 – Aaron Michael Khoo Jing En
#2 – Nicholas Goh
#3 – Lim Rui Lin Jedidiah
#4 – Ilyas Kurniady Bin Kamsul
#5 – Leon Kollart
#6 – Lee Jhinng Hwee
#7 – Aldrick Ang
#8 – Dennis Xu Zicong
#9 – Seow Wen Jun Patrick
#10 – Peh Chang Fong Ray
#13 – Jayaprakesh
#14 – Jerome Wee Jing Kai
#16 – Heng Wei Ze Nigel 
#17 – Jared Ee Chee Wei
#18 – Kyler Teh Kai-En
#20 – Edric Bennett Tan Teng Yau
#21 – Dhanasekaran Janaardhanaprabu
#22 – Shen Mu Kuan
#23 – Joshuan Han Zhu Yi
#24 – Tay Quan Yan
#25 – Kumar Sivaharun
#26 – Muhammad Syuaib Bin Mohd Shafik