Beach Soccer Teams from Malaysia and Singapore

The 2006 Malaysia/Singapore Bench and Bar Games

The idyllic island paradise of Langkawi formed the perfect backdrop for the 2006 Bench and Bar Games. It was the ideal place for a relaxing weekend by the beach, whether it was with the family or a good book in hand. The Singapore contingent certainly pushed relaxation to its limits when it descended on Langkawi over the weekend of 28-3 April.


This year’s contingent, comprising 190 participants, supporters, family and friends, was led by the new Chief Justin the Honourable Chan Sek Keong. The Games got off to a rousing start with the Welcome Reception at the Awana Porto Malai Resort (home base of the Malaysians). A large variety of food and drinks was served along the boardwalk fronting the Resort. Entertainment came in form of live singing by the participants themselves, with our very own Gurdip Siingh crooning some swanky Punjabi numbers. Amidst the recelry, the Singapore darts team exhibited some sharp shooting skills to win the Darts competition, providing at the outset that we can really drink and shoot.

Beach Volleyball Team from Singapore

The Games proper began on Saturday, 29 April. The morning Beach Run was easily won by the more sober and athletic Malaysians. The majority of the games, however, were played at the LADA Sport Complex. We lost Netball, Badminton and Table Tennis. Our Tennis team, however, did us proud again, for the 12th consecutive time in the history of the Games.

The dismal conditions at the Jetty Point Bowling Alley blew away out chances at upsetting the Malaysians in Bowling. The bowling pins had to be manually reset after almost every throw and the guys had difficulty adjusting to the lane conditions, resulting in a 10-3 loss.


  

Mr C R Rajah, SC (left) greeting the Mentri Besar of Kedah,
Perlis, YAB Abdul Jafar Bin Yahya

Mr Philip Jeyaretnam SC (left) presenting a token of appreciation to
YAA Tan Sri Datuk Amar Steve Shim

Justice Choo Han Teck (right), receiving the Lawyers’ Mug on behalf of Singapore’s
head of delegation, the Honourable the Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong, from
YAA Tan Sri Datuk Amar Steve Shim

The magnificent LADA stadium, with a big electronic scoreboard proclaiming the scores, played host to all the soccer matches. The pitch was wonderful and the action was equally exciting. The highlight of the afternoon was the Ladies Soccer match. Under a blistering sun, the Singapore girls looked set to be thrashed by a much bigger Malaysian team. But once the game got going, it was Singapore which dominated the match. The Malaysian girls, though menacingly bigger in physical attributes, were completely outclassed by a quick and nimble Singapore team. What we lacked in size, we made up for with speed and skill. Our girls repeatedly outran and outwitted the Malaysians, and were virtually camping in the Malaysian half throughout the match. As a testament to our total dominance, our goalkeeper touched the ball only twice – once to catch a high lob towards the penalty area, and the other to take a goal kick after the Malaysians had sent the ball tamely over the goal-line in one of their rare attacks. Despite being bombarded with no less than 10 shots on goal, the lucky Malaysians were able to block or scramble the ball out of touch time and again. The match was won early in the first half by Woman-of-the-Match, Susan Lim, who lashed an unstoppable thunderbolt to the roof of the net from some 25 metres out.

Veterans’ Soccer was a tight match marked by a missed penalty for Singapore. To compound our misery, we scored an own goal late in the first half to hand Malaysia victory.

The powerful Malaysians again prevailed in Premier Soccer, which was played under floodlights for the first time. A furious start saw the Malaysians taking the lead with a goal in the first minute of the first half. Two more goals followed but the Singapore ream rallied to score a goal of their own in the 40th minute of the first half. They then hit the bar once and had three free kicks around the Malaysian penalty area but were unable to score again. The Malaysians seized control again early in the second half with a goal in the second minute, and eventually won 5-1. Although the game was fiercely contested, it was generally clean and played in good spirit. Captain and convenor, Terk, Ray Shankar, Fadzil and goalkeeper Leander, who made some outstanding saves, shone for Singapore.

The competition continued on Sunday, 30 April. The golfers had an early start over at the Datai Bay Golf Club, a beautiful course carved out off a hill. The cricketers went off to play the first ever Cricket match. Over the beach, Volleyball and Soccer were played. We triumphed at Beach Soccer, with a score of 5-4, testament to the silky skills of the Singapore team.

 
(Left to Right): Mr Philip Jeyaretnam, SC, the Honourable the Chief Justice Chan
Sek Keong, Justice Lee Seiu Kin, Justice Choo Han Teck and Assistant
Registrar Yeong Zee Kin

The Closing Dinner was a casual affair. David Rasif’s rendition of ‘Sway’ and ‘It Must Have Been You’ had the guest enthralled and the Malaysians thianking their stars that singing was not a competitive sport. Mr Yeo Yang Poh, President of the Malaysian Bat, thianked the Singapore contingent for its graciousness in conceding this series to the Malaysians. President of the Law Society, Mr Philip Jeyaretnam, SC, replied smoothly that iw was the right thing to do, given that we were there to build a bridge – of friendship.

The night’s highlight was the traditional Boar Race with each team comprising four men and one lady. There was much anticipation in the air, given the renowned prowess of the Malaysians. Despite all the hype, the Singapore team was already done even before the fourth racer from Malaysia could lift his glass. It was perhaps fitting that we won the Lawyers’ Mug this year. Once again, this reaffirmed the belief that Singapore lawyers can really drink. And fast too. Oh, by the way, we lost the Games 91/2 to 2 1/2.

Ivan Chua

Sports Committee

 
The Singapore golfers

Convenors from both sides having a meeting

A total of $21,850.00 in donations was received for the Bench and Bar Games 2006. The Society is grateful to the following judges of the Supreme Court, law practices and members of the Bar for their kind support and generosity:

Chief Justice (Rtd) Yong Pung How

Attorney-General Chao Hick Tin

Justice Belinda Ang

Justice Judith Prakash

Justice Lai Siu Chiu

Justice Woo Bih Li

Alban Tay Mahtani & de Silva

Allen & Gledhill

Assomull & Partners

Bernard Rada & Lee Law Corporation

Chiang See Hiang & Partners

Ching & Co

Chow Peng & Partners

Donaldson & Burkinshaw

Drew & Napier LLC

Edward D’Souza

Foo & Quek

Godwin Campos & Co

Guofo

Gurbani & Co

Haq & Selvam

Heng Leong & Srinivasan

Infinitus Law Corporation

Karuppan Chettiar & Partners

Kim & Co

Lawrence Chua & Partners

Mallal & Namazie

Manjit Govind & Partners

Martin & Partners

Martin Marini

MyintSoe & Selvaraj

Parwani & Co

Pritam Singh Gill & Co

Rajah & Tann

Ravindran Associates

Rodyk & Davidson

Tan Rajah & Cheah

Tito Isaac & Co

Wee Swee Teow & Co

Wong Partnership

YPMP Law Corporation

Singapore’s Tennis Team in action

David Rasif entertaining with his powerful vocals

 
Our Boat Racers showing off their drinking prowess

The netball girls in the midst of the game


 

The Singapore Badminton Team

The Honourable the Chief Justice Chan Sek Leong playing a friendly game
of table tennis with a Malaysian player

 Singapore Ladies Soccer Team