Bukit Cheras BC edge closer to Division 2 title

PUCHONG (24 September, 2017): Junior Purple League 2017 (JPL2017) Division 2 leaders, Bukit Cheras BC extended their lead at the top with a resounding 15-2 win over bottom placed Bangsar Hawks BC at Sports Arena Puchong today.

In the boys’ singles, Low Eu Cong edged Mohammad Syahmi Irfan 3-2 (11-4, 0-11, 11-10, 9-11, 11-10) to give Bukit Cheras BC a slender lead before getting a walkover (3-0) in the next category because their opponents failed to field a girls’ doubles pair.

Bukit Cheras extended their lead through Andrew Ng Jia Jun/Toh Ee Wei in the mixed doubles as they thumped Oh Jia Qi/Soon Chua Jie 3-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-10) to put the tie beyond doubt.

Indonesian girls’ singles player, Olivia Chelin Maria Kambe then grabbed more valuable points for Bukit Cheras BC as she secured a straight sets victory (11-3, 11-6, 11-10) over Teh Won Quin before Ng Jie Wei/Ng Wei Shun enhanced the final score with another clear-cut 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-5) win over Bangsar Hawks BC’s Khoo Dickon/Wong Zheng Wei in the boys’ doubles.

Bukit Cheras BC’s coach, Waheeda Abdullah expressed her satisfaction with the big win as it helped her team to open up a sizable gap from their closest competitors.

She said, “I am pleased with this big win as my players performed up to expectation and secured this vital victory in our quest for the Division 2 title. We still have to be cautious in our remaining matches against Bukit Gambir BC and Desa Petaling Eagle BC as they are capable of upsetting anyone”.

“We have a close knit and loyal group of players who have stuck with the team since the start. To be honest, top 3 was our initial target for the season but as the wins keep on coming, the players become more confident and are focussed for the challenges ahead,” added Waheeda.

Bukit Cheras BC lead the Division 2 standings going into the final leg next week with a 36 game difference followed by Ayer Itam BC with 22 and Georgetown BC with 19, both playing a match less.

Meanwhile, the race for the Division 1 title heated up with some exhilarating match-ups ending in tight score lines. In the morning session, Bandar Maharani BC beat Kepong BC 11-9 to put pressure on second placed Petaling BC who succumbed to a slim 8-9 defeat to Ampang Jaya BC before both teams squared off later in the evening which ended in a 10-8 victory for Petaling.

League leaders Cheras BC preserved their undefeated record this season by claiming a dramatic 11-11 draw with Kepong BC to stay at the top of the Division 1 standings whereas last placed Serdang BC continued their winless streak after going down 6-11 to Petaling Jaya BC and 6-12 to Puchong United BC today.

The third and final leg of JPL2017 will commence next weekend (30 September – 1 October) from 9 am at Sports Arena Puchong where the champions of both divisions will be crowned.

JPL2017 Results (Sunday, 24/9/2017)
(Division 1)
Bandar Maharani BC vs Kepong BC (11-9)
Ampang Jaya BC bt Petaling BC (9-8)
Puchong United BC bt Rawang BC (11-8)
Petaling Jaya BC bt Serdang BC (11-6)

(Division 2)
Bangsar Hawks BC lost to Bukit Cheras BC (2-15)
Ayer Itam BC bt Bukit Gambir BC (15-5)
Amanjaya BC bt Desa Petaling Eagle BC (13-9)
Georgetown BC bt Tebrau City BC (13-6)

(Division 1)
Cheras BC drew with Kepong BC (11-11)
Bandar Maharani BC lost to Petaling BC (8-10)
Ampang Jaya BC lost to Petaling Jaya BC (8-10)
Puchong United BC bt Serdang BC (12-6)