Raffles Institution (RI) dominated the Schools' Nationals A Division Girls' water polo competition, thrashing Temasek Junior College (TJC) 10-1 to win their eighth championship in a row on Thursday at the Co-Curricular Activities Branch swimming complex.

RI and TJC had met during the round-robin stage, when RI prevailed with a 7-2 victory. However in the final, the RI girls raised their game and raced to a 7-0 lead by half-time. TJC could only reply with a consolation goal in the last minute of the game.

"We had one of our best games today. Our team morale was high, and having supporters cheering for us really added to the atmosphere," said RI captain and goalkeeper Joanna Chue, 18. "We didn't let ourselves buckle under the pressure, and had a good game."

Two of RI's best goals of the game were scored by Neo Ser Han. Despite being heavily marked by TJC players on both occasions, she managed to score even with her back to goal.

Said Mr Lim Yao Xiang, RI's teacher-in-charge and coach: "They met their own and my expectations of them. The final is a different ball game altogether, but they handled the pressure very well.

"They scored 10 goals today, and it could have been even more if not for the (TJC) goalkeeper. For a team that has only been training for two years, it's a very good performance."