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Sunday evenings are often a time for relaxation and circumspection.  Yet there was nothing relaxing about this particular Sunday evening as the final round of games at the annual Malaysia/Singapore Bench and Bar Games came to a close.  Joyous celebrations permeated the Malaysian camp as soon as the final whistle of the Men's Premier Soccer was blown.  Chants of "Inilah barisan kita..." and messages of congratulations took over as the Malaysian contingent exhaled a sigh of relief.  We won, yet again, but it had been left to the final game to determine an outright winner. 



As I sat in the bus that took us to the Orchid Country Club, the venue of the closing dinner and ceremony, I could see the look of relief and joy on the face of the Malaysian Bar President Lim Chee Wee, Vice President Christopher Leong and a motley group of other Bar Councillors.  Winning the series away in Singapore always matters.  Despite facing all forms of subtle adversities, the cavalier and free-spirited Malaysian team triumphed again and, I am quite sure, annoyed our opponents in the process.  Perhaps this is why, despite all the obstacles thrown before us, we have managed to hold on to the trophy for six years running now.  It is, what it is.  

Over the three days, the Malaysian team won Hockey, Golf, Badminton, Bowling, Squash, Veterans’ Soccer and Premier Soccer.  The Singaporean team won Tennis, Volleyball, Cross Country, Cricket, Table Tennis and Ladies” Soccer.  With Netball ending in a draw, the overall score was 7½ to 6½ to the triumphant Malaysian Bar team.  In between, the T S Dhillon trophy and the prizes for best batsman and bowler (Cricket only) went to the Singaporeans.  The Singaporeans also held on to the Vong Poh Fah trophy for Tennis.  YA Tan Sri James Foong, Judge of the Federal Court of Malaysia, leading the Malaysian delegation at the closing dinner, smiled and rubbed his hands in glee as he went up on stage to pick up the Judges trophy.

The closing ceremony was enlivened by the witty Chelvarajah who, since time immemorial, has been tasked with reading out the final scores at the closing dinner.  Performances by Zero Nalpon and Members of the Malaysian Bar Netball team (Deepa Nambiar, Ruth Maran and Syarizah Razman) provided additional entertainment.

The stage was also set for the Boat Race.  Ever so gracious in defeat, the Malaysian team took their time to finish drinking their five mugs of beer.  Timing it ever so well, the Malaysian team allowed the Singaporean team to emerge the victor by 0.02 seconds.  It demanded a photo-finish but the eagle-eyed Chief Justice of Singapore and YA Tan Sri James Foong, ruled rightly in favour of the Singaporeans.  Perhaps there had been too much head in the Malaysian beer mugs. 



At the end of it all, the Malaysian Bar sports convener, Jaspal Singh Gill, looked a very happy man.  He was overcome with the urge to sing in the team bus after the dinner.  Not sure what exactly he sang, but it would be best that he does not give up his day job.  He concluded his tenure knowing full well that the Malaysian team won fair and square, and that he delivered on his responsibilities.  His successor will have to ensure that this winning trend continues.  His Singaporean counterpart, Joseph Liow, also marked his last term as sports convener, but the Singaporean team did not succeed in taking home the trophy during his tenure.  Perhaps with a new convener, better luck could be in the offing.  Still, the Malaysian Bar team thanks Joseph and his committee for a job well done!



The evening ended with badinage and camaraderie.  Ranks were closed and promises of avenging the loss the following year were repeated time and again.  Who knows what will happen?  Que sera, sera – whatever will be, will be.  The next host will be Malaysia, the exact venue to be determined in due course.
 
Once again, syabas to Team Malaysian Bar!!

Not just there to play and cheer, a team of web reporters has provided regular updates on the Malaysia/Singapore Bench and Bar Games 2011.  For ease of reference, all reports bear the heading "B&B 42".