Petaling BC win all Div 1 matches on opening weekend
GEORGE TOWN: It is still early days in the Junior Purple League, but Petaling Badminton Club (BC) have made an explosive start in their title defence.
The reigning champions won all their three Division One matches on the opening weekend at the Azman Hashim Sports Arena in Penang.
Helmed by former national player and coach Yap Kim Hock, Petaling BC staged an impressive 15-4 win over pre-tournament favourites Serdang BC in their third match yesterday.
Serdang BC, coached by former national star Ong Ewe Hock, had gone into the match on the back of two victories over Bangsar Hawk BC and Puchong United BC.
But Petaling BC were just too formidable, winning all the five ties.
Chia Wei Jie delivered the opening victory for Petaling BC by edging Wu Song Jian 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 11-10 in the boys’ singles. Thai Chasinee Korepap heaped more misery on Serdang BC with an emphatic 11-5, 11-4, 11-4 win over Chan Qi Yong in the girls’ singles.
Petaling BC then won both the boys’ doubles through Kwek Yee JianMan Wei Chong and Tew Jia Jia-Yap Yee in the girls’ doubles in straight games.
Chen Tang Jie and Wanida Buapa rounded up Petaling BC’s victory by beating Lim Ru Guat-Soh Wooi Yik 11-10, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 in the mixed doubles.
Earlier, Petaling BC had notched victories over Muar BC (13-6) and Bandar Utama Dragons BC 12-8.
Besides Petaling BC, Kepong BC were the only other club to win all their three opening matches in the 10-team Division One.