Methodist Girls' School beat Singapore Chinese Girls' School for first B Div netball title since 2014
But the replacements stepped up to the plate, helping MGS defeat defending champions Singapore Chinese Girls' School 29-19 at the Jurong East Sports Hall for their first title since their maiden crown in 2014.
MGS captain Tessa Teo, who has been sidelined since February, when she suffered a torn ligament in her left ankle during the zonal competition, said: 'I think the team did a very good job, and we really tried to put away the game in the second quarter.
'I'm very proud of them, especially because of the injuries that we have got, there was a lot of depth on the bench and we were able to rotate our players. And I think that we've all displayed a lot of tenacity as well as a lot of teamwork.
A solid defensive display saw Methodist Girls' School (in white) defeat defending champions Singapore Chinese Girls' School (in yellow) in the B Division netball finals on April 21.
PHOTO: METHODIST GIRLS' SCHOOL
Claire Cheong, who took over as captain, admitted that she 'felt pressure' when she found out that Tessa would be unavailable.
The 15-year-old said: 'I felt more worried than anything for her injury, even though Tessa is out, she can still support from the sidelines, cheering us on and thankfully it's not that serious.
'There was (pressure), because she's the more talkative one, and I tend to show more in my actions and not much in my words.
'So it's a bit of a challenge in trying to lead a team, especially when I myself was stressed. But in the end, after going through so many matches together, I think I have definitely improved and found ways to bring the team together.'
There was also a replacement for the centre position as first-choice Paris Ong, 14, had also suffered a ligament injury to her right ankle during the quarter-finals.
Up stepped Emma Goh, who had played only a peripheral role as wing attack before the semi-finals.
Emma, 15, said: 'I was super nervous when she got injured because I know Paris is a really good centre, and I really admire her. I was really worried, but I realised the moment I stood on court that there were six people supporting me, and it really put me at ease.'
MGS coach Joanne Ong credited her team for playing well and never giving up.
She added: 'Pressure, of course we have, because it's also dependent on the condition on the day. But I always tell the girls to try to convert it to excitement and change their mindset of thinking into a positive way.'
The final had got off to a cagey start, with both teams neck and neck at 4-4.
But MGS scored eight points in a strong second quarter, making it 15-6 for a lead that they did not relinquish.
Several timely interceptions had resulted in vital turnovers for MGS as they converted most of their shooting opportunities to finish the third period 21-10.
Despite a late surge from the SCGS attackers, scoring nine points in the last quarter, it was not enough as MGS saw out the game 29-19.
SCGS coach Justin Teh said: 'MGS are a very, very strong team, so I'm just proud that my girls actually made it this far, and they tried their best.
'We made a couple of mistakes in our passes, which resulted in turnovers, and also our shots were not as sharp as our opponents', so we missed quite a few critical shots. That opened up the gap, and then once the gap opened up, it's very hard to chase back.'
Captain Elizabeth Chng, 15, said: 'We came here with very high expectations of ourselves, and even though we lost, I thought we fought really hard, and really put in our best. I'm just really proud of my whole team, and the result doesn't matter.
'Our seniors did very well last year, and we have the pressure of getting first again, but we tried not to let that affect us, to play our own game instead of trying to live up to the expectations of getting national champs again.'
In the earlier third-place play-off, CHIJ Toa Payoh defeated St Hilda's Secondary 34-25.
Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times.
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