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Report and photo contributed by H R Dipendra
Singapore 2, Malaysia 3.
The scene at the Yio Chu Kang Sports Hall was one of jubilation.
The match was played with the best of five games. The Malaysians started with Derek Chong, convener, taking on Woon Kwong, a player with vast experience and ability. Despite playing remarkably well, it was not meant to be; Derek went down and the score of the first match was 3-0 in Singapore’s favour.
Next up was the game's only female player, Lesley Lim. Brave spirited, she set the score right by trouncing her Singaporean opponent, Hazel, by 3-0. Therefore, the score was tied at 1-1, thanks to Lesley's commanding performance.
Rajendra Navaratnam came on for the third game. Playing against Mirza, the Singaporean team captain, Rajendra could not defeat his much-abled opponent – the game went down with a score of 3-0. The score was 2-1 in Singapore's favour. It did not bode well for Malaysia.
Next on was the Malaysian team’s captain, Peh Keh Khiew. A true captain, he stood up and delivered when it mattered the most – he played a sensational game, thus defeating his opponent, Mark Teoh, by 3-1.
It was down to the final game: Jason Lee of Malaysia against Kok Wye of Singapore. With national pride at stake, neither wanted to be the loser. As pressure rose over the course of the game, Kok Wye injured his calf muscle and could not carry on. Although the Malaysian team could have claimed a walkover, they did not do so. Showing fine and exemplary sportsmanship, they allowed a replacement when most would have demanded a walkover. The vastly-experienced Woon Kwong stepped in once more. In a fiercely contested decider, Jason defeated Woon Kwong by 3-2, thus delivering victory to the Malaysian Bar for the final game.
Malaysia won three games to two and clinched squash. The Singaporean squash team acknowledged that the better team had won. More importantly, Malaysia won by exhibiting great sportsmanship and fair play.
Not just there to play and cheer, a team of web reporters will provide regular updates on the Malaysia/Singapore Bench and Bar Games 2011. For ease of reference, all reports will bear the heading "B&B 42". Watch this space.
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