National School Games 2023 Water Polo : Rafflesians defeat Hwa Chong Institution Twice for the Championship Gold!

by ActiveSG Circle, on April 7, 2023

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (51)The Rafflesians breached the HCI goal for the 7th and final time for the win! Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan.

 

Back in 2022, Raffles Institution (RI) lost on penalties in the A Division Final, which saw Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) claim their 2nd successive gold medal. 12 months later though at the 2023 National School Games (NSG), the Rafflesians returned with a mission and dealt HCI a 7-6 defeat during a qualifying match on 3 April.

Riding on a 3-match winning streak in the qualifying phase, Raffles Institution met the Hwa Chongians 2 days later again and this was the fight for the championship title at Our Tampines Hub. With a 5-3 halftime lead, the RI "Polo Boys" surged further forward and went on to claim their 1st A Division trophy in 5 years. Final score was 7-5 to the Rafflesians! Meanwhile, here's a pictorial of the first RI vs HCI clash on 3 April, courtesy of Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (23)Hwa Chong Institution (Blue caps) attempting to score against RI. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (24)Hwa Chongians (Blue caps) managed to score against RI. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (26)Rafflesians hold ball possession as they attempt to buildup their attacking move. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (28)Rafflesians close in to complete their scoring opportunity. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (30)HCI regroup with a 3 on 5 team strategy on goal. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (32)RI regain ball control, while under pressure from their opponents. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (34)Hwa Chongians receive a pep-talk from their coach during a break. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (36)Rafflesians with the ball, attempting to draw out their opponents. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (37)A timely block by a Rafflesian. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (39)HCI continue to pile on the pressure in search of the goals. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (40)Both teams tussle for the ball. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (41)HCI player found himself free for a few seconds, before passing the ball. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (43)The Rafflesians defend against another scoring attempt. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (44)Hwa Chongians fought hard to defend their title. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (45)Rafflesians' defence worked overtime to stop a flurry of attacks from the champions. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (46)Rafflesians extend their lead after a counterattack. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (48)HCI refused to surrender and continued to find more scoring chances. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (49)Coach Yu Lei providing final instructions to his RI team as the match heads to a dramatic finale. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (50)Rafflesians rallying to create another goal scoring moment. Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

2023-04-03_NSG WaterPolo_Photo by Anbumani (51)The Rafflesians breached the HCI goal for the 7th and final time for the win! Photo Credit : Team Nila Content Producer, Anbumani Arivalagan. 

 

Celebrate youth sport with ActiveSG Circle's coverage of National School Games 2023 here 

Watch more here

Read more here

Tell us what you think here

Cheer on the school teams and student athletes here