Ampang Jaya BC produced one of their most spectacular performances in the Junior Purple League to block Petaling Jaya BC from claiming the top spot in the standings at the Challenger Sports Centre here in Ampang today. Ampang delivered a smashing performance to edge their rivals 11-10.
With leaders Nusajaya BC, who have been leading the standings, securing a slim 10-9 win over Kepong BC this morning, the opportunity was there for Petaling to wrest the leadership for the first time this season. Petaling’s narrow loss allowed Nusajaya to remain in front.
At the end of this week’s round of matches, Nusajaya and Petaling are on the same 40 points, but the latter trail in second on countback.
“It was all down to team spirit today but I supposed playing against a top team like Petaling really inspired the players to raise the level of their game,” said Ho Khek Mong, the coach of Ampang Jaya.
“After the win today, we are still confident that we can emerge among the top three in the league this year.”
Petaling, who had thrashed Klang United BC 15-4 yesterday, began the day with Yeoh Seng Zoe continuing his fine form to beat Tan Jia Wei 11-10, 11-6, 11-10 in the boys singles for the 3-0 lead.
But the second game went the distance as Ampang’s Dong Wen Jing exchanged long rallies with Petaling’s Alisa Sapniti before losing 11-8, 11-7, 1-11, 8-11, 9-11 in a 45-minute battle.
The hard fought victory put Petaling 6-2 in front on points. But the mixed doubles would prove to be pivotal as Desiree Siow Hao Shan and Ooi Zi Heng gave everything they had to beat Petaling’s Man Wei Chong-Teoh Mei Xing 3-1 (11-8, 11-10, 9-11, 11-9).
The win for Ampang inspired the girls doubles pair of Anna Cheong Ching Yik and Eng Sin Jou to lift their game to defeat Petaling’s Sararat Chueboca and Syifa Fauziah 3-1 (11-10, 4-11, 11-10, 11-8). The result was enough for Ampang to tie the match 8-8 going into the last game of the day.
The boys doubles tie turned out to be a scorcher as the pair of Giovanni Dicky and Wisnu Cahyo served up some anxious moments before they earned a well-deserved 3-2 victory over Petaling’s Chen Jia Huo-Lew Ming Hui.
The score at the end of the pulsating 40-minute battle was 10-11, 10-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 in favour of Giovanni and Wisnu.
Elsewhere, Cheras BC beat Kajang BC 15-3, Serdang BC beat Puchong United BC 10-6 while Klang United BC drew with Petaling Jaya BC 9-9 – the first time this season a match has finished tied.
RESULTS
Cheras BC bt Kajang BC 15-3
Klang United BC drew with Petaling Jaya BC 9-9
Nusajaya BC bt Kepong BC 10-9
Serdang BC bt Puchong United BC 10-6
Ampang Jaya BC bt Petaling BC 11-10
