Othello Day 1 - We’re Into the Semis!

Published by Publications Team | Filed under Recreation, Othello

Score:
3 - 2 (Hall 6 win Hall 5)
5 - 0 (Hall 6 win Hall 4)
4 - 1 (Hall 6 win Hall 2)
5 - 0 (Hall 6 win Hall 12)
5 - 0 (Hall 6 win Hall 7)
3 - 2 (Hall 6 win Hall 9)

Video
Photos [Day1]
Photos [Day2]

Today marks the first day of the Inter-Hall Recreational Games and what better way to start this exciting period with starling winning streak in the preliminary rounds of Othello!

The first win against Hall 5 is a good warm-up and a wake-up call for our players. Winning 3-2 came as a shock as we expected a better outcome. Nevertheless, this being the 1st game is ironically the best match that we could have as our players were more cautious in the following games. During the second match against Hall 4, our players were evidently warm-up and we managed to beat them 5-0 without much obstacles.

Our team is picking up momentum with yet another good match against Hall 2 with 4-1 score. In the fourth match, with the return of Kang Chien, our team finally played against Hall 12 with our 5 best players and won them 5-0. The fifth match was the deciding factor for us to proceed to the semi-finals as Hall 7 is on par with us in terms of player strength and number of matches won. But the one week intensive training that Sing Phang, our Othello Captain, initiated paid off. Not only did we win the match, we won with a surprising 5-0 against them. Needless to say, we were elated and felt a renewed surge of confidence and energy that pushed us through the remaining games. The sixth match against Hall 8 came in good timing as we have time to cool down and prep ourselves for the final match against Hall 9. Now, it is a question of being seeded 1st or 2nd.

The last match for the day is the highlight of the day - The top 2 teams in Group A competing with each other for the placing of 1st seed. Hall 9, being the champions for last year, brought out a good fight with us. The last board ended 1st where Robin lost, but that was quickly compensated with the win from Kang Chien. Sing Phang’s defeat was covered by Henny’s victory. Now it is 2-2 and the last board playing is Eddie’s. Our Recreational Director did not disappoint us. Even when his board is the only one left in the arena, even when he is the deciding factor for our placing, even when he is playing against the Captain, Eddie managed to pull through and won the board, winning the match with an overall of 3-2. Everyone applauded as the great game ended, indicating the end of the preliminary rounds of Othello.

We are now 1st seeded, going against Hall 10 in the semi-finals and possibly, the finals. All these cannot be done with the dedication of the Othello players who spend their precious week for intensive training.

Story by: Kai Yang (Asst Recreational Director)