Raffles Institution beat Hwa Chong to win first A Division boys’ water polo title in five years
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SINGAPORE – As the final whistle sounded, the stands where Raffles Institution (RI) supporters sat erupted, and the players in the swimming pool high-fived each other, climbing out in search of their coach Yu Lei before throwing him into the water.
It was, after all, the first time RI had won the National School Games (NSG) boys’ A division water polo title since 2018. On Wednesday, they beat Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) 7-5 at Our Tampines Hub.
RI captain James Lim, 17, said: “We have a zero-zero mentality. Whether we’re doing well or badly, we don’t think about winning until the game ends.”
This was a cathartic moment after RI lost a close final in 2022 to the same opponents.
That match ended 8-8 in regulation time before HCI prevailed 4-2 in the shootout.
James, a JC2 student, added: “We managed to beat a giant in water polo, not because of how strong we are in the water, but because of our teamwork and chemistry.
“We came in feeling very nervous. We won 7-6 in the prelim on Monday but it was a very tight match, they’re a very good team and we knew we wouldn’t have an easy fight.”
RI had a shaky start in the first quarter, with HCI’s Gan Eu Jin scoring the first point. But by the end of the first half, Raffles had taken a 5-3 lead.
“We were nervous after they took the first point but no one was upset or blaming each other. We encouraged each other and became more confident and comfortable in the match,” said James.
The team from Raffles Institution celebrating with their trophy after winning the finals.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Hwa Chong, champions in 2019 before the pandemic halted the competition for two years, had several chances in the second half to level the score but could not capitalise. “Our performance today wasn’t the best. We probably didn’t want it enough and we lacked the focus to finish,” said HCI captain Ho Kah Howe, 17.
He felt his team were too conservative after scoring early, allowing RI to reclaim the initiative, but added: “But we can learn from this, that hard work and sacrifice doesn’t guarantee your victory, and we must always be hungry for more success.”
The girls’ final in the morning saw the HCI and Hwa Chong International School (HCIS) joint team claim a 13-6 victory over the St Andrew’s Junior College and Singapore Sports School combined team.
Hwa Chong Institution and Hwa Chong International School Combined Team celebrating with their trophy after the prize presentation.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The latter joined forces a few years ago as there were not enough water polo players in each school to form a team.
The Hwa Chong schools began their partnership only in 2022 and this was HCI’s first girls’ A division water polo title since 2010.
HCI’s Ranice Yap, 16, who is also a member of the national team, said: “We really wanted that title and I am happy for the school’s first win although it’s with a combined team.
“Our team has been training every day. We’re quite close despite being from two schools.”
