First of all, a very Happy Easter to one and all (even if you're not celebrating the event).

Last Wednesday on 31 March 2010 and at Hume Park 2 (fondly nicknamed 'Timbuktoo' by UCSC-sians), several squash masterclasses were showcased. The end result belies the closely fought matches throughout all 4 ties.

Starting concurrently were the respective No. 1s, PANG Ka Hoe (KH) vs. YAP Kim Wee (YKW) and the No. 3s Kevin TAN (KT) v ONG Jun Wei (OJW).

Both matches went down the wire, both ties seeing the UCSC 'C'onquerors taking their respective first sets, then both falling behind 1-2 to the quick-learning students, who both made tremendous come-backs from 1 set down.

Resort World Sentosa's Battlestar Galactica roller-coaster rides could scarcely have provided as much excitement this evening!
Hold on to your seats and read on .......

Both young gladiators offered a hint of the battle to follow when the first set went to deuce with rallies a-plenty and KH edging home 12-10. This set the tone for the next 2 sets with Schools' YKW playing at an amazing pace, returning every seeming 'winner' from KH and with interests.  Set 2 went to Schools by a thrilling  edge-of-the-seat 13-11 scoreline. With the sets tied at 1-1, Set #3 did not let up with the gut-spilling thrills with YKW unbelievably returning those otherwise 'winners' from the shot-making magic wand in KH's usually trusty right-hand. At one stage, KH had a pained expression on his face which broadcast, "Just what do I need to do, to win a rally?". The mercurial YKW was that fast and that tenacious and deservedly won 11-8 to lead the encounter, 2 sets to 1.

At just 14-years old and already a mature player for his age, KH switched tactics when he realised that his usual 'steady' style suited YKW to a 'T' (no pun intended) and with his back to the wall and his near-nicks not paying off, it was "do-or-die" for KH. The air was charged with electricity as KH resorted to the deadliest of squashing known to squash-dom, ..... JUST NICK IT!

KH upped the risk factor..... Amazingly and when under pressure from being behind in the match, the accuracy from KH's magic wand increased in percentage as his change in tactics paid dividends when he won the 4th set 11-8 to force the rubber. The 5th set turned out to be a tad anti-climactic as a spent Kim Wee surrendered meekly to the Kung-Fu PANG-da by a 2-11 score-line, much to the relief of UCSC supporters and especially for Mummy, Wai Fong. It was the toughest test yet for our 'baby' 'C'onqueror and a truly well-deserved victory! Our thanks and appreciation to Kim Wee for being partner to such a sporting extravanganza.

Lest you thought we forgot about the other tie between the No. 3s, 'complains' were heard in abundance from both camps' supporters about suffering from whip-lash as they tried desperately to maximise their 'viewing pleasure' (so typically Singaporean) of both exciting and closely matched ties being played concurrently!

In the other court, returning 'C'onqueror, Kevin TAN (playing in his first match thanks to NS release), and his opponent, ONG Jun Wei (OJW), were mirroring the colossal battle between KH and YKW as both KT and OJW covered every strip of timber that made up the court surface. KT won the first set 11-8 but OJW claimed the next 2. Repeatedly, there were long rallies, both players committing unforced errors at the end of the rallies. The mirror-image of the first tie ended at that point as KT, opted to employ the same strategy of 'hit-and-run' (not of the East European type) and both players punished that poor piece of processed rubber (with its 2 yellow dots fading fast). KT fortunately won the brutal 4th by a 11-5 scoreline to force the rubber. Here we go AGAIN!

It was perhaps a good thing that it was not PSA (Police) that either team was playing as both players may have been 'arrested' for persistently breaching the speed limits in a controlled environment. It was a case who could outlast the other and force his opponent into errors after long rallies. With both young men almost equally fit and fast, KT's height advantage (estimated to be about half a head taller) made little difference to proceedings in the 5th set. It was his marginally better consistency which allowed KT to romp home by 11-5 to win overall by 3-2, taking nothing away from the gallant OJW. Our thanks to our NS man, Kevin Tan, who took time out from protecting the nation to serve UCSC. WELL DONE!

The next 2 matches saw the No. 2s and No 4s do battle.  At No. 2, "kor kor" PANG Ka Wai (KW) faced ex-UCSC-sian, Shawn Tan (ST), while at No. 4, Ben Sim (BS) took on Royston Raymond (RR). Talk about a level playing field, both No 4s were also officially 'D'-graders but their standards belie their formal grading.

KW's tenacity and speed were on full display as he coolly wrapped up sets #1 and 2 with relatively easy 11-3 and 11-5 scorelines. KW covered every bit of the court with blinding speed, interspersed with his trademark reverse angles which emerged from nowhere.

But just when you thought it would be a stroll in the park for the current UCSC-sian, Schools' ST turned the tables in the 3rd set with a display reminiscent of the times when he represented UCSC and ambushed KW with a 11-8 score! By now KW's reverse angles were not as effective and had lost the element of surprise on ST. However, the sheer consistency of KW's pace was just too much to handle and with ST's pace going off in the other direction (down), it was lesson learnt for the Schools player when KW close out set #4 by a comfortable 11-5 to win his tie by 3-1. A great effort by Shawn, nonetheless. But at this stage, UCSC had sewn up the evening's result.

It was down to Ben Sim to finish formalities..... But just when you thought it was safe to step back into court, Schools' dorsal fin starting cutting through the waters and supporters were to be treated to yet another battle royale!

Both Ben and Royston pushed each other to the limit, slogging for every point which could have gone either way. The young 'C'onqueror  won the first 2 sets by 11-7 and 12-10. Refusing to cave in to a 2-set deficit, Royston who plays a similar style to Ka Wai's devil-may-care breakneck speed (these two, Roy and KW, apparently played two 5-setters against each other in the recent Masonry National Championships), had to adjust to Ben Sim's more deliberate placement game. The Schools player slowed down the pace and although his style did not appear particularly threatening, it was dangerous for its guise and the tactical change rewarded Royston with comeback wins in the 3rd and 4th by 11-5 and 13-11 to force the rubber!  Ohhhhhh, how much closer can it get? Well, close enough!

In the 5th, both players were again stretched to the limit and despite being equally exhausted, still had enough resolve to push each each other to all four corners. Towards the end, Ben was holding match-point 10-8 and on the verge of bringing home, a clean slate for UCSC. But an errant drive into the tin off a loose Royston-backhand boast from the back court, allowed RR to stay in the match. The next rally saw the players apparently guilty of a 'double pick-up' a-piece which went un-noticed by the referee. RR took the point to level the rubber at 10-10. This writer needs time-out to catch his breath.

Ok, I'm back...... Despite fatigue having clearly set in, both players gamely refused to ease up the pace before RR gratefully took the last two consecutive points for a great comeback win at 12-10!  Nothing must be taken away from a superb showing by Ben Sim. Cruelly, there could only be one result..... Because the young gladiators were both, winners. 

The evening's ties between UCSC and Combined Schools was undoubtedly the match-ups of the season (so far) and whole-heartedly appreciated by all present.

Special thanks to the adult UCSC-sians who were present to support..... Gabriel Goh, Bobby, Mommy Wai Fong, Pap Daniel Sim, Papa Eddie Chan and 'F'hantom, Ben Chan, who rushed to 'Timbuktoo' (Hume Park 2) from his own match against New Pioneers earlier!

It was a great atmosphere and the evening closed with an exhibition match between senior "C"onquerors, Bobby and Gabriel.

UCSC LIves & Breathes Squash!