KUALA LUMPUR: Kepong BC ended 2016 by executing a stellar team performance to inflict the first defeat on BU Dragons BC (10-7) during their SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 meet on Saturday at Gem In Mall, Cyberjaya.
Both teams could not be separated at the end of the first men’s singles match, as Kepong’s Lim Chi Wing and BU Dragons’ Goh Soon Huat played to a 2-2 draw.
Kepong soon took control of the tie after their Thai import, Ongbamrungphan Busanan - ranked No 13 in the world - produced a standout performance to gift her side a three point lead. The 20-year old Busanan easily defeated BU Dragons’ Yip Pui Yin 3-0 in the women’s singles match.
Rasmussen Anders-Tan Chee Tean brought Kepong to the brink of a famous victory as they too brushed aside BU Dragons’ Mak Hee Chun-Tam Chun Hei in straight games.
However, they could not put the tie to rest as BU Dragons’ mixed doubles pair of Lai Pei Jing-Tan Kian Meng were just too formidable for Kepong’s Chayanit Chaladchalam and Mohd Razif Ab Latif. The national team pair won the match in straight games as well.
Needing just one point to secure the win, Kepong’s Thai import, Thongnuam Pannawit duly delivered, as he took two games off BU Dragons’ Wei Nan in the final match of the tie. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
“It was a shocking result, as we managed to beat the previously unbeaten BU Dragons. This is the perfect send-off for the year 2016. I must praise my players for putting up such a brilliant performance,” said Kepong’s head coach, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.
“We do not want to set unrealistic targets just because of this result, as we aim to qualify to Stage 2 as one of the best six teams and I hope that our latest additions will spur us to that target,” added Zakry.
Meanwhile, Puchong United BC continued their fine form by dismantling a young Bangsar Hawks BC side, 13-5.
Bangsar Hawks BC was in a confident mood after recording their first victory of the SSPL on Friday. However, they could not keep up their giant-killing act against a strong Puchong United side.
The big win allowed Puchong United to jump from third spot to displace Petaling Jaya BC at first.
