But let's take a few steps back for the exciting action which led to this exhilirating occasion.

Continuing the journey from where we left off with the previous report ('F'hantoms Rout Reservists in League 'Semi-Final') .....

With that semi-final win over SAFRA, the 'F'hantoms were left with the task of taking down the last 'F' (not an expletive) hurdle against COY title-contenders, New Pioneers. UCSC's 'D'estoyers and 'E'nergizers joined the challenge is trying to wrest back the COY title when it was their turn last Tuesday evening to take on their formidable opponents, SAFRA and Combined Schools respectively. To cut to the chase, the 'D'estroyers self-destructed when a full-team wasn't available and a weakened team succumbed to the reservists and in the 3rd spot play-off on Thursday, the 'D'estroyers again went down, this time to Police. However, the 'D'estroyers had defied the odds to unexpectedly feature amongst the top 4 teams in the Men's D grade. Well done, lads! We'll do better in 2011.

The 'E'nergizers went up against a strong Schools squad that was brimming with talent. 'F'hantom, Liao Ming Hao, was pushed up to support the 'E' squad. Ming hao put up a sterling performance to beat his higher-graded Schools opponent and ex-UCSCsian, Michael Chee, by 3-1. Next up was John Lee who had been pumped up for this occasion and was raring to go but while he came close in each set (especially in the 2nd which went to deuce), he had to surrender 0-3 to his talented and MUCH younger opponent. At this stage, I apologise to all UCSC opponents that I wasn't able to track down most of their names in time for this report to honor their performances.

With the tension and excitement running high, Alex Lim was next against an impressive Schools opponent who was displaying a flair for some fancy racket and footwork. However, Alex was totally focused and played his heart out with some tenacious, breath-taking retrievals which forced his skilful opponent into repeated errors even as Alex showed some lovely racket-work himself to re-take the lead for UCSC when he won 3-0. It was then left to classy Chris Yap (glad he's on our side) to wrap up proceedings with an almost effortless 3-0 win to take the 'E'nergizers into the Friday Final against Police, who had given UCSC's title hopes a further boost by taking down New Pioneers in the other semi-final.

Come Friday, the day of reckoning, the place was absolutely buzzing (even if only with UCSC's busy bees). Supporters for both the 'E' and 'F' teams were busy bounding from Court 3 (E) to Court 6 (F) and back, to catch a glimpse of all the nerve-wrecking action. John Lee again played a great game but had to succumb to the vastly superior fitness of his gurkha (they. of the famed superhuman prowess) opponent from Police by 0-3.... But the scores were close.... SO CLOSE! Our No. 1, Chris Yap then went on to try even the score and he looked to be cruising when he nonchalantly took the first 2 sets but was surprised by the resistance put up by his gurkha opponent to give one back in Set 3. This unnerved UCSC supporters as there was concern that the overall result could rely on a count-back at the end. Chris stepped up the pace and wrapped up the match 3-1.

At this stage, we do a quick rewind to half an hour earlier in Court 6, where the 'F'hantoms were battling the crucial match-up against New Pioneers. This was the one which would decide the COY title. The No.1's of both teams have gotten for themselves a fearsome reputation for being far better than the official grading accorded them. The first set between these two supremely talented protagonists went to deuce which UCSC's Ben Chan won 12-10. It was not as close in the remaining 2 sets as Ben's opponent slowed noticeably from the intense rallies which marked the contest between the two. 3-0 to Ben and here's where we now fast-forward back to Court 3, where a 'rested' Ben was 'employed' by the 'E'nergizers to play at No. 4. Ben hardly displayed any symptom of his earlier exertions as he proceeded to take down his respected opponent, a gurkha whom Ben has encountered (and beaten) a couple of times previously in 2009 in Novice events. Their performance that evening was anything but novice. Apart from a lapse in concentration when Ben went for unrewarding high risk shots after taking a huge lead, it was pretty much "another day at the office" for the young UCSC talent as he romped through his tie 3-0.

This left Alex Lim with the task of needing to take 2 sets from his opponent to seal the 'E' title for UCSC. Now, the gurkhas are legendary for their fitness and fighting spirit... But Alex's opponent looked even more that those descriptions. Displaying taut, lean muscles with narry an ounce of fat and with a steely look, the gurkha was an unnerving sight for UCSC supporters. But Alex, with a cherubic expression that belied the equally steely determination lurking within, proceeded to dismantle the fearsome exterior of his gurkha opponent as he challenged impudently in the many energy-sapping rallies to be rewarded with a 1st set victory. How UCSC supporters roared! The roars were however, reduced to mutterings as the Police player fought back to even the score at 1-set-all. Red in the face and evidently tired, Alex mustered everything he could to incredibly continuing his exhaustion-defying and dogged retrievals to take Set #3 AND THE 'E' TITLE for UCSC! The roof of the recently renovated Kallang courts were nearly brought down by UCSC victory roars. Alex was by this time, experiencing a pull in his right hamstring and calf and was advised to take it easy as the war had been won. Alex eventually did slow it down, but not before he made a last ditch effort to try to win his tie. Although the Police player won the tie 3-2, Alex had already done the necessary damage.

At this stage, the COY title was still "up in the air" and highly dependent on the outcome of proceedings in the 'F' battle still taking place in Court 6. News soon arrived that Lian Ming Hao and Brian Chang had won their respective tense ties to seal victory for the 'F'hantoms and the Club as the COY title returned home to UCSC. Warren Seow then proceeded to wrap up with a win in his tie, a happy performance even if academic. Well done, all you 'F'hantoms!

The COY title has been brought home..... But the story doesn't end here. There were still 3 Finales in which UCSC was still participating in, for Championship Challenge honors. On Saturday, the UCSC 'A'nnihilators, 'B'ombers and Veteran Div 2 fought for glory against SCC1, SAFRA and SAFRA again.

The'B'ombers edged through on a count-back (details deliberately missed because yours truly played possibly the worst official match ever). The Veterans gambled with their health because at their age, they really should not need to endure such a nail-biting finish as the one that Dave Phua served up as he fought tooth-and-nail (plus a few verbal exchanges with the referee) to succumb at virtually the last point by 10-12 in the rubber. Our aged hearts can hardly stand another situation like that! But well done nevertheless, Dave!

The Men's premier event cannot pass without proper mention. Phil Mockridge at No.2 against Vivian Rhamanan and Daryle Teng at No.4 against Bryan Koh, both gave good accounts of themselves against two Singapore national players. But oh what a squash feast was served up by our two remaining UCSC 'A' gladiators. Marcus Phua went one set up against the evergreen Udai Singh only to see the senior player level the score to send up groans of, "Oh, no.... not again" from UCSC-sians. Well, Marcus ensured it was "not again" when he played the game of his life, retrieving impossibly to force the effervescent Udai into errors and what a roar went up yet again from UCSC supporters when Marcus wrapped by the tie by 3-2 for his first ever official win against the indomitable Udai.

Even though SCC had already secured the 'A' Championship Challenge title at that stage, 'B'omber, Jason Ho, played his second match of the day and likely the best match he's played to-date against national runner-up, Nigel Koh. It was hard to tell the difference between the two as the two young gladiators thrilled the crowd with engaging rallies, sublime skills and a superb repertoire of shots. Jason belied his official 'B' grading by leading Niegl by 2 sets to 1 and eventually, only lost quite closely by 7-11 in the rubber. It was a virtuoso performance by the young UCSC-sian and all at UCSC take their hats off to the UCSC 'A'nnihilators for a performance and result not expected at the beginning of the season.

The evening was wrapped by the traditional league season-ending celebratory dinner at President Joe Wong's house which saw alll who attended having a great time and enjoying the special brand of UCSC camaraderie.

Special mention must be made of the dedication from 'E'nergizer, John Lee. John and his lovely wife, Merelene, were to have left Singapore for good to return to Laguna in the Philippines last Monday evening. But because of his passion for the sport and UCSC, John postponed their departure till just Sunday morning so that he could proudly represent the (in John's own words) "friendliest and best squash club I've ever been part of". And we're proud to have had you represent UCSC, John! You and Merelene (UCSC Fan of the Year), will always be members and an integral part of UCSC. Good-bye our friend..... We look forward to welcoming you both back.

UCSC Lives & Breathes Squash!

Attachments:

NSL 2010 Finale - The Action & Celebration.pdf

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24/05/10 18:11