PUCHONG (23 September, 2017): Defending Junior Purple League (JPL) champions, Petaling BC picked themselves up after a slim defeat to Rawang BC last week as they edged Serdang BC 9-6 in the JPL2017 second leg at Sports Arena Puchong today.
It was not all smooth sailing for Petaling BC as their boys’ singles player, Lim Yik Fong fell to a straight sets loss to Serdang BC’s Weng Hongyang (10-11, 3-11, 5-11) early on.
The pair of Nathakorn Jaiareree/Suprapich Silprakob put Petaling BC back on level terms with a straight sets win of their own over Chen Mei Chun/Lim Mei Chen (11-6, 11-6, 11-7), only for Serdang BC to take back the lead through their mixed doubles pair, Ching Kai Feng/Teoh Lexuan who easily overcame Karina Lim Shu Yi/Mohd Hafiz Mohd Sikkander (11-4, 11-5, 11-5).
The ever consistent Chasinee Korepap of Thailand then gave Petaling BC a momentum building win in the girls’ singles with a straightforward 3-0 (11-3, 11-10, 11-3) win over her opponent, Lee Xin Jie.
With everything to play for in the boys’ doubles match-up, Petaling BC’s Kwek Yee Jian/ Man Wei Chong quickly stamped their dominance and swept Serdang BC’s Chea Cheng Xiang/Teh Zi Yi 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-2) to hand their team a much needed morale boosting victory over the bottom side and stay second on the leader board.
Petaling BC’s manager, Ismail Saman was satisfied on how his team reacted and performed to the defeat in their previous match.
“I am happy that my players responded very well with maturity and composure after falling behind twice in the match today. Although it is a relieve we won, we are still not in a comfortable position,” he said.
The former national player is aware of his team’s weakness in the boys’ singles and mixed doubles categories and highlighted that a solution must be found before other opponents learn to exploit them.
Speaking on his team’s chances of winning the Division 1 title, he said, “It is still too early to feel confident on retaining the title because all teams have brought in good players this season and the competition is firm in all categories. We still have to face a few top sides before setting a realistic target and will take one match at a time starting with tomorrow morning’s tie against Ampang Jaya BC.”
In Division 2 action, Subang BC suffered their first defeat of the season after going down 5-12 to Georgetown BC today. Despite beating Desa Petaling Eagle BC 11-7 in the morning session, the Klang Valley team dropped to second in the standings behind Bukit Cheras BC after today’s second leg matches.
Bangsar Hawks BC remained winless and lie at the bottom of the table after being thrashed 15-1 by JPL newcomers, Ayer Itam BC.
Leg 2 of JPL2017 is set to continue tomorrow at the same venue (Sports Arena Puchong) as the Division 1 teams take to court at 9am and 3pm whereas the Division 2 teams will return at 12pm for another round of top notch junior badminton.
JPL2017 Results (Saturday, 23/9/2017)
(Division 2)
Ayer Itam BC bt Bangsar Hawks BC (15-1)
Amanjaya BC lost to Bukit Cheras BC (13-8)
Desa Petaling Eagle BC lost to Subang BC (7-11)
Bukit Gambir BC lost to Tebrau City BC (6-12)
(Division 1)
Bandar Maharani BC lost to Cheras BC (7-13)
Ampang Jaya BC lost to Kepong BC (7-11)
Petaling Jaya BC lost to Rawang BC (7-10)
Petaling BC bt Serdang BC (9-6)
(Division 2)
Ayer Itam BC vs Bukit Cheras BC (8-13)
Amanjaya BC bt Bukit Gambir BC (13-7)
Georgetown BC bt Subang BC (12-5)
Desa Petaling Eagle BC vs Tebrau City BC (11-9)
JPL2017 Fixtures (Saturday, 24/9/2017)
(Division 1, 9am)
Bandar Maharani BC vs Kepong BC
Ampang Jaya BC vs Petaling BC
Puchong United BC vs Rawang BC
Petaling Jaya BC vs Serdang BC
(Division 2, 12pm)
Bangsar Hawks BC vs Bukit Cheras BC
Ayer Itam BC vs Bukit Gambir BC
Amanjaya BC vs Desa Petaling Eagle BC
Georgetown BC vs Tebrau City BC
(Division 1, 3pm)
Cheras BC vs Kepong BC
Bandar Maharani BC vs Petaling BC
Ampang Jaya BC vs Petaling Jaya BC
Puchong United BC vs Serdang BC
