Lodgers team to beat in inter-school netball meet

by Edwin Chandra, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on March 21, 2012, Wednesday

OVERSTRETCHED: SK Lodge hard working petite wing attacker (WA), Sharlene Lo reaches out for the ball as she tries to outrun players from SK Rakyat Bolhassan during their first round Group B match of this year’s MSSRS Inter Primary School Netball tourney held at SK Merpati Jepang school grounds yesterday.

KUCHING: All eyes were on debutants Lodge Primary School which was one of the 14 teams taking part in this year’s Zone A Kuching Inter Primary School Netball Tourney at SK Merpati Jepang school grounds.

The Lodgers who are physically taller than their fellow counterparts are competing for the first time in the two-day event and were the obviously the team to beat after their convincing wins in the Group B preliminary rounds.

Coached by two former state’s MSSM players, they defeated last year finalist SJK (C) Chung Hua No.1 in a thrilling match that ended 6 – 3 in their favour and earlier on in the opening match, they whitewashed SK Rakyat Jalan Bolhassan 13 – 0.

Defending champion, SK Satria Jaya from BDC lived up to their top billing after comfortably winning two of their Group A matches by defeating SK Merpati Jepang 13 – 5 in the opening match and later they also defeated SK St Andrew 9 – 3.

But the highlight of yesterday’s preliminary rounds was between SK Lodge and SJK (C) Chung Hua No.1 simply because both schools have recruited the services of former State players as their coaches and the competition was indeed intense.

Powered by their only petite centre player, Ivy Chai, the Lodgers were a formidable force to be reckoned with and were represented by their top regulars in Sharlene Lo as wing attacker, Tan Si Ru as goal shooter, Natasha Jane as goal defender and the hard working Lau Peng Yii as the goal attacker.

Credits should also be given to SJK (C) Chung Hua No.1 goalkeeper, Audrey Bong who together with goal defender, Su Yee Hui have worked hard to make numerous saves.

Both teams will have the opportunity to meet again in today’s final if they are able to complete the second rounds with a flourish when the top two teams from each groups are eligible for the cross over league round matches.

Only the top 4 teams will qualify for the third knock out round to determine the last two teams competing in the finals.

Jointly organized by SK Merpati Jepang and SK Catholic School, this year’s event was also used for talent scouting where 12 players will be selected to represent Zone A Kuching team for the upcoming first division inter zone netball tourney to be held in Bau scheduled to be held from April 3rd to 4th.

Apart from host Bau, teams from Zone A Kuching and Zone B Kuching, Lundu and Padawan are vying for honours before the State-level tourney to be held in Bintulu from April 24th to 27th.

According to the State’s Primary Schools Sports Council (MSSRS) netball technical advisor, Haida Kiflie response towards this year’s event was encouraging with many new players taking part in the event opened to those aged 12 and below.

“We are satisfied with the response including the new one from SK Lodge and the level of the game has very much improved” she said on the event which served as a good avenue for the aspiring young netball players from primary school level to compete against others.

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