The Bat's On - Softball A Div Girls
The A Division Softball girls headed down to ACS(I) on 10th May for their finals, up against the team from Anglo Chinese Junior College. This was indeed one of the highly anticipated matches for the Y6 players as it would be their last ever match representing RV, after six long and hard years of training.
Softball A Division girls training.
Flags bearing the school crest and name, together with a total of 66 student supporters occupying two buses, headed towards ACSI (Independent) for an Away match. A few alumni of the softball team also made their way to show their support for their juniors. A handful of teachers tagged along to cheer on the softballers, not forgetting Vice-Principal Mr Steven Tay and Principal Mrs Teo who also took time off their busy schedules to lend them support.
Group photo of the Softball team with all of the student match supporters, teachers as well as school leaders It was searing hot in ACSI, but the players appeared to be unfazed by it. Faced with an unfamiliar field, our A Division girls quickly took position on one side of the field and started their warm up, while the match supporters were organised beside the field. The match officially began at 3.05pm. When the two opposing teams met in the lineup, sparks were in the air, as palpable as the rising heat in the stands. With our team batting first, Charmaine Chua, Captain of the team and also the first batter, recounted later that it was the most important moment for her. Quoting her, ‘As the first batter up to bat, I knew I had to start off well to assure my teammates. It was indeed a pretty tense moment and having come this far in our nationals, all I told myself was “It is now or never”.’ As each ball was pitched, every little victory meant a breakout of an immense wave of coordinated cheers led by the drum rhythms, eager to keep the team's morale high. Although some of us did not catch every development, the match supporters remained energetic and involved in the game. One particularly unforgettable moment was when the scores were 2-1 with RV leading, with Charmaine Chua (5N) and Brieanne Heng (6K) of the team having scored one run each. The AC players put up a tough fight, and there was a point in the match where there were opponent players at every base; one misstep could reverse our fortune. Unfortunately, in the tense last innings, they reached 3 strikes before 2 runs, and the match ended in ACJC’s favour. The overall score was 4 – 2. Nevertheless, both teams thanked their opponents graciously to end off the game.
The awards ceremony followed immediately after the match. At the end of the long day, the team received their well-deserved medals, placing themselves in First Runner-up position amongst Hwa Chong, Raffles and ACJC.
Glamorous looks at the award ceremony.
Congratulations to our A Division Softball girls for their achievements!