Bench & Bar Games 2005

The Return of the Games

Once again, the annual Bench & Bar Games returned to our shores in 2005. After an unfavourable outing in Kuantan last year, having lost the series for two years in a row, the Singapore contingent was eager to reinstate our dignity and pride. Over three days between 20 to 22 May 2005, we battled hard with the Malaysians over 16 games, 13 of them competitive.

Long before the Games proper, the Sports Committee drew up battle plans. Committee members, convenors and participants worked hard to secure sporting locations and finalise logistical and organisational issues, as well as sourced for sponsors and funding for the Games. From the Welcome Reception to the Dinner and Dance, nothing was left to chance. Fortunately for us, we were able to secure sponsorship from Cycle & Carriage, which was significantly responsible for making the Welcome Reception a memorable event. As it turned out, the effort was worth it — the Games were a resounding success, in more ways than one!
 
Welcome Reception: Little Bali

Chief Justice Yong Pung How and several High Court judges graced the occasion. Many local participants also got to test drive a rare collection of Mercedes Benzes, such as the S55 AMG and the latest CL350 four-door coupe. Many participants stayed past midnight, catching up with friends and making new ones. Some were even seen planning strategies for the forthcoming games! Thanks to Cycle & Carriage for helping make this night a memorable one.

The Battle Continues

Men’s Hockey was played at the Indian Association. It was perhaps the closest game played in years, pot bellies notwithstanding. It was hard fought from the start, with the Malaysians taking the lead towards the end of the first half while Singapore had a goal disallowed. In the second half, Singapore dominated the game and was almost camping in the Malaysian half. Our men chased after every ball, had countless shots at goal but were just unable to penetrate the Malaysian goal. At the end, despite the gallant efforts of our men, we ended up losing by a solitary goal. Malaysia 1, Singapore 0.

Squash produced one of the most dramatic finishes in this year’s Games. The format of play involved seven ties, each played over five sets. After the first six ties, the teams were deadlocked at three ties a piece. The competition had to be decided by the final seventh tie which involved Mark Yeo for Singapore and a state player for the Malaysians. In the first two sets Mark streaked ahead applying the initial pressure; however, fatigue set in and the next two sets went to the Malaysians. With one final gallop of strength and determination, not forgetting the roaring cheers of his teammates, Mark put up an exemplary performance and took the fifth decider 9–3 to hand victory and the all important point to the Singapore team. The competition ended 4–3 in favour of Singapore.

Badminton, a close cousin of squash, produced an equally entertaining match-up — unfortunately, the score line was not as flattering. The Malaysians were dominant throughout the competition with their three state players at their best. Despite spurts of determination and fight by the Singapore shuttlers, we conceded the competition 4–1 to the Malaysians. Perhaps next year Council with the help of our National University of Singapore could consider issuing an honorary law degree to Ronald Susilo to enable us to play even par.

Still on racket sports, the Table-tennis hall exhibited not only respectable and polished performances all round but also featured some of the best gamesmanship and goodwill between the two countries. Led by the endearing Patrick Yap, the Singapore team kept its unbeaten streak to run away 3–2 winners.

On the Tennis courts, the competition warmed-up in more ways than one. Under the 38 degree heat, the two teams met again. These two teams have always been close and friendly and the Games usually witness a reunion for the players of both sides. Again it took seven ties to decide the outcome of this competition, three of which featured state and ex-state players from both sides of the border. Even our learned Judge Choo Han Teck took to arms, oops, took to racket and sparred with his partner Paul Wong in the second men’s doubles to secure a valuable win for Singapore. After a jittery start, all the first three men’s doubles rallied home to emphatic wins in straight sets. Chee Yen and Dave maintained their 100% record with a win in the first men’s and so did Leslie and Adrian in the third. In confident mood, Singapore clinched the competition with a clinical performance by our ladies doubles pair of Poh Choo and Lay Leng and the entire tie was wrapped up with follow-up wins by our newly crowned veterans, Tanguy and Monty, and fourth men’s doubles debutants, Eugene and Ivan. A consolation point went to the Malaysians in the mixed doubles with a hard fought three sets with another of our debutants, Ben Thompson and Grace Lai. Final score: Singapore 6, Malaysia 1. This win has kept the tennis team’s winning streak intact for 11 straight years.

Moving from rackets to balls, at Planet Bowl, the Singapore Bowling team met a very impressive Malaysian team hungry for pins. Nor Hisham and Rodzim from Malaysia put up notable performances and despite a gallant display of grace and form by the Singapore bowlers, the Malaysian bowlers romped away 10–3 winners. In consolation though, we saw the inclusion of new bowlers, Angeline, Eudrina and John and we did rack up (no pun intended) some respectable displays in picking up seven trophies for individual performances.

In the afternoon, the Games fell victim to the elements and the skies opened and caused the cancellation of the Netball game at Kallang Courts midway through the first half. As a result, the umpire called the game off and Netball was officially declared a tie between the two sides. Sok Ling, the netball captain, had this to say, ‘We were disappointed not to have played out the match as the players committed themselves to training and preparing for the match, and regardless of the outcome, we came to play. We would like to thank all our supporters who turned up for the event though.’

The highlight of the day was Veterans’ Soccer over at Toa Payoh Stadium. Leftover rain threatened to cancel the match, but our past President Palakrishnan must have been watching over us as the weather held up and the match was played out. The first half was evenly matched with both sides testing each other’s defences with calculated and tactical attacks. By the start of the second half, our Bala must have figured out something the Malaysians overlooked and maybe it also had something to do with Chong Boon finally arriving to play. After 15 minutes of Sunday football, Singapore opened scoring with a goal mouth scramble and a deft touch by Choon Kiat who managed to prod the ball into the heart of the Malaysian goal. The second goal was scored by Chong Boon who had finished his warm up by then and showed everyone that he may be a veteran but still has the moves and speed to make a difference. Julian, the multi-talented hockey player, sans stick, sealed the Malaysians fate with a third shortly. Shell-shocked by the hat-trick of strikes, the Malaysians launched a surprise attack at the Singapore back, marshalled by the irrepressible Godwin Campos and it took a mix up between defender and keeper to allow the Malaysians to score a consolation goal. Their goal only spurred the Singaporeans to retaliate with another strike by Julian. Singapore 4–1 victors.

By the end of the second day of competition, Singapore led Malaysia by 4 1/2 points to 3 1/2 points.

In two other non-competitive games, Singapore won 4–1 in Chess and 2–1 in Darts at NUSS Club House at Adam Road. Rumours have it that it was the pub owners that turned out the eventual winners, revenue-wise that is, all thanks to the FA Cup final which was featured live via cable that same night.

The Final Victory

The final day of competition (Sunday, 22 May 2005) saw an early start at the Singapore Island Country Club, with the golfers teeing off at 7am. The competition was another titanic battle which went to the wire literally at the last hole of the last flight (ie the 18th flight). Singapore was trailing by one point and the last flight would determine if we tied with Malaysia. Our pair comprising Rajan Nair and Thangaveloo was one-up at the final hole and needed to tie or win the last hole to ensure that the game would end in a tie. In the words of Kalyani, one of the Singapore golfers, ‘The Malaysians did not expect such a hardy performance by the Singapore golfers, and they were really intense right up to the last hole.’ This year’s competition turned out to be a real headturner and a tribute to the commitment of the golfers of both sides. Unfortunately, a magnificent par by the Malaysians at the 18th flight allowed them to square the match, and by so doing, destroyed Singapore’s hopes of securing a draw. Better luck next year and perhaps with some new blood we can turn things around.

By late morning, Cricket was underway at the Ceylon Sports Club. Captained by Moiz, the Singapore cricketers batted first and confidently ran away to complete 195 runs at the changeover. As it turned out, the 195 runs was an insatiable lead which left the Malaysians trailing from start to finish and despite a valiant effort, they ended their campaign with a respectable 157 runs. It was one of the sweetest victories in years for Cricket.

Over at the Singapore Swimming Club, in a rare and memorable showing, our swimmers regained their swimming title by edging out the Malaysians 43–37 points. Perhaps getting used to NewWater and living on an island has its benefits after all.

Going into the last two soccer matches, Singapore was already 6 1/2–4 1/2 up and looking promising for the Judge’s Cup.

The last two competitive games, Ladies Soccer and Premier Soccer, were played at New Town Secondary School. Our soccer ladies had to endure a hearty display by the Malaysians before they could reclaim glory. The match was tightly fought with the Malaysians refusing to throw in the towel despite being the underdog. Played at a ferocious pace, the game saw two penalties and plenty of goalmouth action. Singapore led 3–1 before Malaysia scored a second half goal to set up a nail-biting finish. Luckily for us, our ladies applied almost flawless ‘Liverpudlian’ defence and hung on to emerge 3–2 winners.

The crowd had gathered for Premier Soccer anticipating an awesome display of football skills from both sides. They were not disappointed. The Malaysian team has acquired a reputation for being a fearless foe, with great speed and skill on their side. The Singapore team had to rely on tactical advantage and a robust defensive character to resist the Malaysian team. As it turned out, it was a bruising match, with plenty of goals and strong tackles. The teams were initially evenly matched, until several defensive mistakes by the Singapore team allowed Malaysia to score three goals in quick succession. Our boys tried their best to salvage the situation, but eventually lost 4–2. Tsung Hao scored our first goal and Terk Yang converted the second which was a penalty awarded to us. The only consolation to the boys was that despite their loss, we still managed to win this year’s Games and the Judge’s Cup by a final scoreline of 7 1/2 to 5 1/2 points!

In the day’s other non-competitive game, Singapore also won the Cross-Country Run at MacRitchie Reservoir.

The Games were brought to a close with the customary Dinner and Dance at Oriental Hotel. The Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges were present to share our sweet victory and we are grateful for their involvement and support. Mention must be made of the affable CR Rajah SC who was once again in fine form as the Master of Ceremonies. This was despite a surprise moment when his daughter, Lalitha, won the fifth prize in the lucky draw (five bottles of wines) amid chants of ‘Kelong Kelong!’ from the crowd. CR, unfazed, invited the lucky winner to a bonus prize of kissing the Master of Ceremonies and even dispensed some loving advice to the lucky winner, ‘Don’t drink it all at once!’

Conclusion

Although we did not have the luxury of holding the Games resort-style like in Kuantan last year, Bench & Bar 2005 was certainly an achievement in that we managed to regain our lost glory. It is heartening that the Annual Bench & Bar Games continues to be played in the true tradition of the series. We saw healthy competition, reaffirmation of old ties and for many of us, continued to develop new friendships and above all, reinforced our strong sense of esprit de corps. Long live the Bench & Bar and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did organising it.

Ivan Chua/Montague Choy

Sports Committee

The Law Society of Singapore