NUS IHG | Sheares Hall

On the 7th of Feburary 2012 at 8:30pm, the Sheares Floorball team went up against Temasek Hall in a match that would be deciding if they would qualify for the semi-finals. It was a match that the had to lose by less than 3 goals, but, considering the fact that TH had 8 IVP players, it was going to be a uphill battle.

The Sheares’ Team got off to a good start with some slick passing resulting in a goal when Khang Jin place the ball into the far corner of the net after a pass from Aaron Kwok. It was the perfect start to the game and the Sheares’ Team went up 1-0.

A few minutes later, however, a dubious call by the referee placed Sheares in a precarious position as Ashwin was given a 2min penalty for allegedly playing on the floor. It was an unfortunate call, as TH managed to not only hold onto possession of the ball, but score one back and equalized before the end of the period

The second period was won by TH as they stepped up their game and scored 3 more goals to put themselves in the driver’s seat and the Sheares team at the risk of not qualifying with the score at 4-1. This score would eliminate us from the competition based on goals scored and the Sheares team needed to score 1 more to be safe.

Thus was the stage set for the a fierce and intense third period as the Sheares team, even though down by 3, refused to back down and give up. There was hope at the sound of the whistle as Sean Png made a shot from way out that looked to be heading for the top corner, until a fully stretched TH keeper matched the shot and hit the ball away. That was the beginning of a relentless assault on the TH goal as the Sheares team looked for what would be their “qualifying” goal. Unfortunately, the TH keeper pulled off a fine performance to deny Sheares the one goal they needed. What’s more, another dubious call by the referee on the keeper Jun Kai resulted in a TH penalty against Sheares which the TH captain duly converted.

The match ended 6-1 to TH and the Sheares floorball team’s hope of qualifying was over, marking the end of their season. It was, however, a spirited performance that taught us about the courage never to give up. Good job guys!

Written by LiTing Yeo (TM)

It was the night of the most anticipated match of the season. The Sheares Hall Basketball Boys Team has gone through weekly intensive trainings to get to where they were today. They were playing in the finals match against Eusoff Hall to bring the champion trophy back to Sheares.

The match started earlier than expected. The first quarter was played by our very experienced players- Kenneth, Wan Xin, Yeow Lin, Jin Wei and Jason, our Vice-Captain. Although our opponents fought hard from the start and earned the first 6 points, our players were calm and confident and threw them aback with Yeow Lin’s accurate 3-pointer shots and Kenneth’s smooth layups. The teamwork of our players was magnificent and it cast us in the lead at the end of the 1^st quarter, with a close score of 10:11.

The 2^nd quarter was played by Wan Zhang, Wan Xin, Jason, Zhang Yu and Kenneth. Our players did extremely well and managed to get a good number of offensive rebounds, which eventually led to many layups being shot. They showed accurate passes across the court and their agility and dribbling skills saved them from many turnovers in the second quarter. Even though Eusoff was playing hard and catching up with our score, we were still in the lead by the end of the second quarter, with a score of 17:20.

Even though we were leading, everyone was aware that the score was extremely close and they had to fight even harder to cast themselves ahead of their competitors. The players who played for the third quarter were Jin Wei, Jason, Wan Xin, Kenneth and Yeow Lin. Wan Xin’s 3-pointer shots were in top-form and were a major asset to the team. As the game started to get more intense, some of our players started to get tired. However, they were extremely determined to give their best till the end of the match. Their hard work paid off as they were still leading by the end of the 3^rd quarter, with a score of 22:28.

The fourth quarter was extremely nerve-wrecking and intense. It started off well with accurate layup shots and successful rebounds by our team. Confidence was high as our dream of winning the championship trophy drew closer to us. However, one of our IVP players, Kenneth, got injured in the face while blocking an opponent. The score at this point in time was 31:34, with us in the lead. With just 5 minutes left to the end of the match, anything could happen and the ball was in anyone’s court.

Our players started to get agitated and flustered seeing their teammate injured. However, we huddled for one final team talk which got everyone back on the same track. The team spirit shone as everyone shared the same vision of fighting to get the trophy back to our hands. With just a few minutes left, our players remained calm and managed to get a successful layup shot despite strong defence by Eusoff. Jin Wei also did extremely well in his free throws, giving us the final push to winning the championship.

The whistle blew and the match ended. Our players pumped their fist in the air. The Sheares Basketball Boys team got the champion trophy back! It was not an easy match, but with the support of fellow Shearites and commendable determination of the players, we did it.

On behalf of the Sheares Basketball Boys Team, I would like to thank all Shearites for coming down to support us, and the players for being such a wonderful team.

With the champion trophy back in our hands, we hope we can keep it for the many good years to come.

Written by Denise Choo (TM)

It was 13^th February, the last day and last event for the whole Inter-Hall Games. The entire Sheares Track Team reached SRC field at 5.15pmand began their warm-up with much confidence. The event started at 6pm sharp. The events that would be taking place later on were 4 x 100m Girls relay, 4 x 400 m Girls relay and finally, the most exciting one, Medley. The Medley is actually a combination of guys and girls team and comprised two 100m runners from guys and girls, 200m male runner, 400m female runner and 800m female runner.

Girls 4 x 100m Relay:

1^st Runner: Yin Yin

2^nd Runner: Yi Ling

3^rd Runner: Calida

4^th Runner: Rachel Loh

Our first runner Yin Yin had a good start, she picked up very fast and passed the baton to our second runner Yi Ling  who is only slightly behind other halls. Calida ran after Yi Ling and she really gave the others a run for their money. The last 100m was run by Rachel Loh. Although they finished their game in the 6^th place, we can see the effort they put in!! Well done girls!! You have pushed yourselves beyond your limits in training

4 x 400m Girls Relay:

1^st Runner: Rachel Loh

2^nd Runner: Siti

3^rd Runner: Yee Shuan

4^th Runner: Edna

For 4 x 400m girls relay, our track captain, Rachel Loh was the first runner. Although she just finished her run on 4 x 100m, she still managed to finish her 400m. She immediately collapsed after passing the baton to our second runner – Siti. Good job!! She had showed her best in the run despite it being a tough event. Yee Shuan and Edna had also run their best but since other halls boosted with many IVP trackers, they were unable to catch up them. In the end, we finished in 6^th position.

Mixed Medley

100m (Female) Elyssa
100m (Male) James Cheong
200m (Male) Rasmus
400m (Female) Peiyi
800m (Female)Janine
800m (Male) Shao Pu

Elyssa was our first runner for mixed medley. She gave us a very good start with her explosive pace leading the way. Our baton was then continued by our track(M) captain, James. He continued the momentum and passed the baton to Rasmas. Pei Yi was the subsequent 400m runner. She then passed the baton to Janine, who was the 800m runner. The event was ended by the 800m guy runner, Shao Pu. By the time he ran, he was one lap behind. But he didn’t give up and our fellow shearites were supportive and kept cheering for him until he finished the run. We finished at 6^th position again but our runners’ spirits and sportmanship touched me.

Last but not least, we appreciated our fellow Shearites who freed their time out and came down to support us.

Written by Minhau (TM)

Semi-Finals: SH vs TH
Our guys fought strong and braved the odds when they faced Temasek Hall’s Badminton Team. They fought their best and did our hall proud despite the loss, which spelt the end of the IHG journey for our guys. Donned in orange, they played with heart and with every stroke of the racquet we witnessed their conviction and passion towards serving the hall with their very best.

Representing us in the 1st Singles was Chen Chenjia who lost to Temasek Hall’s experienced player with a 2-0 score. However, we are proud of him for he ran for every shot and showed no sign of laziness on court, it was purely unfortunate that the TH player was far too swift and obviously highly experienced in competitive badminton. Overall, good job, Chenjia!

Next up was our 1st Doubles, Keith Chong and Si Min Hau who fought strong and brave for our hall. It was an exciting match with scores so close but unfortunately for us, our guys lost to TH with a score of 2-1. However, a good fight was put up and it showed TH that we are no force to be reckoned with. Great game, Keith and Min Hau!

Representing us for 2nd Singles, was Gou Yuhe. Yuhe won against the TH player and his skills proved a notch higher when he sent his opponent running for every single shot, tiring out his opponent and eventually winning him with a 2-0 score. Yuhe played an  excellent game and he lives up to his reputation of “NUS IVP No. 1”. Beautifully played, Yuhe!

Leo Yan and Cheng Liang Kai represented Sheares Hall in the 2nd doubles. Facing a skilful and experienced duo from TH, our guys lost with a 2-0 score. However, supporters at the scene definitely witnessed how our guys remained focused throughout the game and tried their very best to do us proud with every stroke they made. Indeed, we are proud of them, for effort and determination matters so much more than a win. Good job, Leo and Liang Kai!

Last but not least was Joel Leong representing us in the third Singles. He won his opponent 2-0 and proved to TH that they may have won us and proceeded to the Finals, but Sheares Hall definitely had true skills and making it this far to the Semi-Finals was by no chance pure luck. Excellent play, Joel!

Overall, this journey has not been easy, and we must admit, a loss of 3-2 to TH overall sure made us feel that we were so close yet so far to the Finals. However, tough as it may be, this journey has also been an enjoyable one for our guys. With every single training and match played, our guys grow stronger than before and not only are they stronger as an individual, but also as a team. With our seniors leaving us with the closing of IHG, it sure is sad for they have taught our guys much about badminton. “And although IHG has ended this year, train hard and next year it will be you on court.” – Joel Leong, Year 4, Captain.

Written by Phyllis Chua (TM)

Orange Balls at the Semis!

After training arduously for the last 2 days, and changing the formation of the players and strategies to tackle the strong team of Eusoff Hall, they finally decided on the following line-up:

First Singles Player: Hao Shuai (Block E)

Second Singles Player: Matthew Siew (Block C) – Captain

Third Singles Player: Hou Wei (Block E)

First Doubles Team: Ivan Aw (Block C) & Xiang Yong Zhou (Block B)

Second Doubles Team: Jiang Bo (Block A) & Kelvin Lee (Block C)

First Singles Match: Hao Shuai against Eusoff Hall

Being the first to play, he set the bars high and triumphed over his opponent with a score of 3-1. Well done Hao Shuai!

Second Singles Match: Matthew Siew against Eusoff Hall

This match was a very competitive match as both players are equally capable and skilled. However, Matthew lost with a score of 0-3, losing behind his opponent in every match with only a few points. Matthew though disappointed with the loss, he continued to be the pillar of strength and support for the team, encouraging them on and strategized with the sole intent to win back other matches. Great effort of our endearing captain!

Third Singles Match: Hou Wei against Eusoff Hall

The opponents were leading very well before this match was played. Even though Hou Wei tried his best to face off any hard ping pong balls that came, he was left defeated with a score of 0-3. His concentration in the game was commendable! Good job, Hou Wei!

First Doubles Match: Ivan & Yong Zhou against Eusoff Hall

Next up was our first doubles against EH. This pair was formed up only 2 trainings ago, unprecedented in the last few months of training. It was so pleasing to watch the pair play with such camaraderie despite the short trainings they had together. Facing the strong opponents was a challenge to them. The game proceeded and they lost 0-3 eventually, but only losing slightly in every round. It’s alright, Ivan and Yong Zhou! You guys did well!

Second Doubles Match: Kelvin & Jiang Bo against Eusoff Hall

Our second doubles match was by far the most intense and exciting match for the day! The duo had to play up to 5 sets of game before the winner was decided. Initially, our opponent won the first set, but that spurred our team to fight back even harder. Eventually the score was 2-2, and the last set ultimately decided the winner. All supporters gathered and gave our full support in this face off with the opponents. However, much to our dismay, the opponent had it their way, and won our team 3-2. Great job guys!

Eventually, we lost to EH 4-1. But despite the loss, the team grew over the months, and it was the friendship forged that made the rigorous trainings so much less demanding. The effort made by the team as they train and play each time is commendable. Good job guys! You guys are the best!

Written by Kay Yan (TM)