Already confirmed 2010 Men's B league champions last week with 25 points, it was a relaxed team of 'B'ombers which cruised in early at SAFRA Toa Payoh to play the final match vs. SAFRA as a formality. But for SAFRA, the result had bearings on their final standing in the Men's B as well as valuable points to add to their total tally for the overall Club of the Year title. With 19 points and leading New Pioneers by just 2 points, SAFRA had to get at least 3 points from the match against the 'B'ombers to secure 2nd spot in the Men's B.

SAFRA's challenge began with both teams' No. 1s, UCSC's Jason Ho vs. the reservists' Chen Zhi Wei. After an early 3-1 lead, it was a strangely off-colour Jason (perhaps of on-going school tests) who was uncharacteristically being given the run-around by an on-fire Zhi Wei. Playing cool precision squash, Zhi Wei took 4 points on the trot to lead 5-3 before some semblance of resistance emerged from Jason but Zhi Wei still surged ahead to take Set #1 by 11-6. It was almost in similar fashion that Zhi Wei took also Set #2 by 11-8. But thankfully, Jason was not only gifted in skills but also finely honed in terms of fitness and decided if he could not win via his usual 'fencing', he'll use the his 'shield'. Jason adopted a defensive strategy to run down Zhi Wei to dent fleeting SAFRA hopes of an upset. A 3-2 victory saw Jason finishing undefeated in the NSL league.

While Jason was chasing down Zhi Wei, Michael Tan was in the adjacent court for his return match against young Samuel Wong. Having lost 1-3 to Samuel in their first encounter at SLF, Michael was determined to avenge that defeat having been in decent form of late. It looked as though the tables would be turned this time when Michael easily took the first 2 sets by 11-5 and 11-6 with wristy shots and accurate placements. However, a fatal lapse in concentration allowed Samuel back into the hunt when the young man fought back to take Set #3 by 11-4. Jolted, Michael played with more focus in the 4th, determined not to allow this to go to a rubber. But it was resurgent Samuel who fought point for point before taking Set #4 after deuce No. 5 to win 15-13 and force the dreaded rubber. Michael paid the price for the unnecessary running and while still gamely fighting, his significantly older legs had to concede the rubber to the sporting and always pleasant Samuel by 8-11. SAFRA's hopes were once again lifted.

At least until our Jonathan Cheu stepped onto court to demolish Jason Tan, a normally fearsome warrior with a never-say-die attitude and known to make some incredible dives worthy of YouTube exposure. To Jason's credit, he was as usual, giving his all and it wasn't that he wasn't good, but Jonathan's pace and penetration were simply too much and it was almost with nonchalance that he despatched Jason 11-4, 11-5, 11-5.

SAFRA's hopes now hinged on a pair of trusty but old warrior legs in Zahiri Hassan, he of the SAFRA Spider-Man fame and a dogged game which has often driven many an opponent into submission. SAFRA cheered wildly when he took Set #1 against young Chee Hian by a narrow 11-8, only to sink into desperation when Chee Hian hit back to take Sets #2 and #3. But at that point, Chee Hian's notorious temperament got the better of him and he caved into Zahiri's cool and determined (if unexciting) play. Zahiri edged home with the last 2 sets to win 3-2 and give SAFRA hope for 2nd spot.

The reward? New Pioneers dropped a point at SCC and was tied at 21 points with SAFRA. However, the two direct encounteres between them saw SAFRA winning first 3-1 and New Pioneers winning 2-2 in the return. It was that one tie which made the difference.

2010 NSL Men's B Champions: United Condo Squash Club

2nd:  SAFRA     3rd New Pioneers

UCSC Lives & Breathes Squash!