TKP JUNIOR VS ST. MARGARETS'

Nationals 1st Round Game 2 (Juniors)

TKP vs St Margarets'

23-17

A last huddle before the big game

It was the Juniors' big day. They were playing against St. Margarets', their greatest rival in TKP netball history to be top in the group. History does not favour TKP whenever they play with St Margs. TKP have lost most of their matches with St Margs in the last four years. The only exception was in 2007, when the juniors defeated them at the Cross Straits Tournament Final and the seniors defeating them in the Cedar Girls' Netball Carnival final. Other than that, TKP has never defeated them in the nationals ever!

The Juniors' game started at 0930 hrs. During the first quarter, the juniors were nervous because they were in awe of St. Margarets', thus did not play a good game. So, TKP was down by 4-8. Mr Njoo berated them for their sloppy display in the 1st quarter and told them in order to win the match, they will have to play the best game of their lives. And they did! From the moment the whistle was blown, TKP quickly racked up points after points. Even though they were down by 4 points which at that point seemed imposible to catch-up, the Juniors just went for it. In the end of the second quarter, TKP was leading by 1 point, with the score of 12-11. St. Margarets' was a good team but the Juniors had made a huge come-back and was actually leading! As the third quarter went by, the Juniors became stronger and stronger. They played aggressively, which (according to Mr Njoo) would be the key to winning the match. The score of the third quarter, (this time) made it difficult for St.Margs' to catch up, which was 19-15. It was finally the last quarter. The Juniors kept up with their good work, tried to grab all the opportunities to attack. So, the final score was 23 -17. The Juniors actually did it! They have finally defeated St. Margs'in the nationals!

TKP Juniors were given the hair-dryer treatment by Mr Njoo after the 1st quarter

Jeraldine (GK) trying to block the shot

Rukmini attacking the ball

Corrine getting the better of the St Margs GK

That's me! (TKP Netball reporter)

Seak Im (GA) was our player of the match

Our best player in action again! Look at her leaping ability

Our 'chili padi' WA

Fatin (WD) trying for an interception

From the coach's table:

The first quarter was a disaster for TKP. We knew our girls were slow starters and our worse fears came true in the match. Sloppy passes and poor tactical acumen made us fall behind by 4 points in the 1st quarter. Furthermore, St Margs main shooter was playing as a GA and Jamie our GD could not match her physical presence. In a bold move, I told Jeraldine , our GK to play GD so as to guard their most dangerous player. In matches like this, we cannot afford to lose by that many points per quarter as it would be mpossible to play catch up. So during the break, I berated them and told them to play the game of their lives in the second quarter and stick to our game plan.

It paid off! Point by point, we managed to claw our way back. We were also helped by St Margs poor passing as they were soon losing confidence and managed to intercept many of their plays. By then, the girls had settled down and managed to find their rythm. Seak Im (GA), one of the main culprit in the bad first quarter soon make amends and made several important shots that gave TKP the advantage. She was definitely our best player today. Corrine, who had a commanding game as a GS in the first game played well too. Both shooters were hard to contain and the St Margs defenders were having a torrid time. By the third quarter, we were up by 4 points. It was then that I realised that TKP could actually beat St Margs for the first time.

Though we were victors this morning, there were certain aspects of our game we have to improve. Our defenders, especially jamie must be more confident in rebounding and going for the high balls. We will definitely work on it! Jamie, our fastest player on court is more of a midfielder. My next target is to groom Josephine to be GK. She has the height, good footwork and the determination to succeed. That's all for today...I will cherish this win in my sleep tonight.