| Masonry Singapore Closed Squash Championships 2012 - Update on UCSCsians' progress |
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| Written by Michael Tan |
| Friday, 20 January 2012 05:31 |
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Here's an update on the progress of the UCSC members who are participating in the ongoing Masonry Singapore Closed Squash Championships 2012. Ladies first (of course) ........ GIRLS UNDER-13 (GU13) We begin with the youngest of our girl-members, Nicole Tong. Diminutive Nicole has clearly progressed by leaps and bounds as she competes in the Girls' Under-13 (GU13) category, an event which pits Nicole against mostly older opponents. And how the pocket-sized dynamo has risen to the challenge as she finished runner-up in Group B to face Christabelle Lim (winner of Group A) this evening (Thu 19th Jan) in the first semi-final of the GU13 event. Nicole is scheduled to play at 5.00PM down at Kallang Squash & Tennis Centre. Good luck, Nicole! GIRLS UNDER-15 (GU15) Steffi Chan, who recently came in 2nd in the GU13 category of the BUFF International event, continues to remind everyone she's a future star to look out for when at just under 13 years of age, she is now making waves in the GU15 category against lasses a year or two older than herself, a big age difference at this developmental stage. Steffi has advanced to the semi-final stage of the GU15 and plays this evening against Chong Yin Jean, the 2nd seed in this event. Steffi is the 3rd seed. Go get 'em, Steffi! MEN'S VETERANS The old warhorse is back! Simon Yang is top-seeded in this event and it has so far been a stroll in the park as he cantered comfortably to a meeting in the Final this Saturday (21st Jan) against Bill Hickling, Simon's toughest opponent yet in this event. But like aging wine, Simon is only getting better and with the advantage of a balding pate, the lower wind resistance may perhaps assist Simon as he races towards the Veterans title. We know for sure the hair won't get into his eyes ...... Viva la Simone! MEN'S MASTERS Here, our very own 'foreign talent', Phil Mockridge, flies the UCSC flag high and proud, despatching two fellow UCSCsians, Daryl Arnold and Eddie Oh, enroute to his semif-final this evening (Thu 19th Jan) at 6.00PM against Simon Bird, an old (pardon the pun) adversary. We certainly are hoping that Mr. Bird will take flight when the formidable Phil takes to court. Good luck, Master Mockridge. BOYS' UNDER-11 (BU11) From the old,..... uh, I meant experienced (yeah, sure),...... to the very young. Ensuring prominent UCSC representation in this junior category, 2nd seeded Tan I-Zhi , emerged victorious from a nail-biting semi-final against 3rd-seeded Edward Leeto seal his place in the Final against top-seeded Dylan Fernandez this Saturday at 12noon, the shootout at the Kallang Corral. Stay in there, I-Zhi ..... We know you can do it! BOYS' UNDER-13 (BU13) With the top 3 lads in Singapore for this category coming from the UCSC stables, this is considered exclusive territory to United Condo. Continuing where they left off in the BU-11 just a year or two ago, Kevin Tong, Tan I-Joe and Bryan Tan, these three T's are respectively top seed, 2nd seed and 3rd seed for this very competitive category. And how they justified their seedings as they dismissed all in their paths to occupy three of the 4 semi-final slots. Kevin Tong efficiently despatched 4th seed, Anders Ong, to await the outcome of the other semi-final, a titanic battle between I-Joe and Bryan. As is typical of the battles amongst these three boys, this semi-final went down the wire in a thrilling 5-setter. Bryan took the first two sets only to drop the 3rd and 4th (both in deuce) then finally triumphed 11-9 in the rubber. The Final between Kevin and Bryan has been brought forward a day to Friday (20th Jan) at 6.00PM down at Kallang as Kevn has a flight to catch on Saturday itself. Good luck lads, may the best boy win ..... UCSC has already won. BOYS' UNDER-15 (BU15) Keeping the UCSC flying in this event is Brandon Tan Jit Wei. Brandon justified his 4th-seeding and earned his semi-final slot against top-seeded Chua Man Chin, an ex-UCSC lad. His battle is scheduled to begin at 5.30PM this evening (Thu 19th Jan) and we hope that he can overcome the seedings to earn a Final slot this coming Saturday. Come on, Brand-on! BOYS' UNDER-17 (BU17) It was unfortunate that 8th-seeded Matthew Hui had to encounter top-seeded, Warren Seow, already in the second round of the BU17. Slightly better or for that matter, a worse seeding, could have allowed Matthew to progress higher in the placings. As it goes, Warren has comfortably advanced in straight sets in all his matches, to a Final meeting with 3rd-seeded Jimmy Liang at 2.30PM this Saturday. Matthew beat Gabriel Ang to finish 5th overall. Young master Seow has improved by leaps and bounds over the last 2 years and his performance certainly "Warrens" a Final victory this weekend. Just do it, Warren! BOYS' UNDER-19 (BU19) Third-seeded Jason Ho turned in a virtuoso performance in the semi-final of the BU19 event when he upset the form book by beating 2nd-seeded Timothy Soh in a thrilling 5-setter. From one Tim to another ..... On Saturday, Jason will challenge top-seeded Timothy Leong in the Final for the right to be Numero Uno in the BU19, the blue riband event in the boys' categories. These two have met many times in the past with the scores pretty even. One expects no less of this weekend's thriller with promises of exciting rallies a-plenty, code-named "Bedlam in Kallang". THE MAIN EVENT - MEN'S OPEN The top three players, the main event, have justified their seedings, with 5th seed, Richard Hill, comfortably making it past 4th-seeded, Bryan Koh. The exciting semi-finals take place this evening (Thu 19th Jan) from 6.30PM at Kallang with top-seeded Vivian Rhamanan taking on Richard Hill and our own 2nd-seeded Marcus Phua taking on 3rd seed, experienced and ever dangerous Udai Singh. Be present tonight for some breath-taking fireworks to rival the New Year celebrations! To all participating UCSC-sians, including those who were not mentioned in the reports above, we are very proud of you and your spirit. Keep them up. UCSC Lives & Breathes Squash! |