The two schools scored narrow victories to be crowned champions at the All Hong Kong Schools Jing Ying Handball Tournament
The SLC team credited their win to their strong defence, blocking YLMA’s strongest players from scoring.Ying Wa College (YWC) and Shek Lei Catholic Secondary School (SLC) scored narrow victories to be crowned champions at the All Hong Kong Schools Jing Ying Handball Tournament on Sunday.
YWC beat Yan Chai Hospital No 2 Secondary School (YCH) 14-13 in the boys’ final at Tin Shui Sports Centre, Tin Shui Wai. In the girls’ category, SLC edged out defending champions Yuen Long Merchants Association Secondary School (YLMA) 14-12.
YWC’s left back Kan Yik-fai, 17, was named the tournament’s most valuable player (MVP).
YCH led 3-1 at the start as Pang Tsz-chung, 18, made several powerful shots which served as a wake-up call for YWC. They can back strongly, with left wing Kan Yik-man, 17, scoring three goals. YWC led 6-5 at the end of the first half.
YWC’s centre Law Tin-wai, 17, also excelled, blocking several attacks by their opponents in the second half. The team took a 14-12 lead, with goals by Yik-fai, Yik-man and Lam Pak-wing, 17. YCH’s Chen Wai-shing, 17, scored in the last minute but it was too little too late, as YWC held on to win the championship.
YWC coach Chan Kwong-yue said their game plan worked well. “We tried to push our opponents away from the goal line so they couldn’t shoot accurately. We maintained stability and control and had good rhythm which helped us win the final,” said Chan. He said the players were mature enough to deal with difficult situations, especially when they fell behind early in the game.
YWC captain Lee Ka-wing said it was important not to focus on one shooter. “In previous matches, I was the main shooter, but it would be easier for our opponents to target me. It’s better to create more opportunities for other teammates so we can shoot from both the left and right wing,” he said.
MVP Yik-fai also said it was important to launch moves from the two wings because the middle was usually blocked. “There was no room for us to shoot in the middle, so it was easier to make a breakthrough in other areas. We also needed to use our speed against our opponents who are physically stronger than us,” he said.
With their victory, YWC reclaimed the title they won in 2013/2014. They were third last year.
In the girls’ final, SLC’s victory was sweet revenge for losing last year’s final to the same opponents. SLC’s left back Tsang Mei-yan, 16, won the MVP award.
SLC dominated the first half as Mei-yan, right wing Hui Pik-po, 17, and14-year-old right back Tsang Yuen-lam made a series of powerful shots. The team led 6-4 at half-time.
Although YLMA hit back to make it 10-10 in the second half, SLC stepped up their man-to-man defence and edged ahead 13-12. SLC’s captain, Ma Chi-man, 16, scored the last goal, helping her team win the title.
MVP Mei-yan was happy with the team’s defence. “We strengthened our defence, forming a wall against YLMA players who found no space to shoot. This was the main tactic for the final. The result means that our hard work, especially focusing on preparation and teamwork, has paid off,” she said.
SLC’s Pik-po said the team did well in both offence and defence. “Faced with YLMA’s powerful shooter Wu Lei-ling, we tried to block her teammates. Without help from her teammates, it would be easier for us to target Lei-ling. We were also good at making powerful shots and creating chances for our shooters,” she added.
SLC’s coach Chiu Chit-kwan said the team were determined to win. “Some players are preparing for the HKDSE so they were not able to take part in the competition. But our younger players were tough enough to cope with the intense pressure of the tournament and battle against powerful opponents like Lei-ling,” said Chiu.