30 Oct PLJ2018: Ampang Jaya BC sitting pretty on top of PLJ 2018

With one weekend left, hot favourites, Ampang Jaya Badminton Club are sitting pretty at the top of Division One Purple League Junior (PLJ) 2018 after two convincing results at the conclusion of Match Day 4, second round held at the Sports Arena, Puchong on Sunday.

Trailing one point to Bukit Cheras Badminton Club (BC), the Ampang based outfit who are gunning for their maiden title, fired on all their cylinders to win 13-5 against Rawang Badminton Club (BC) in the morning and ending the day with a 9-9 draw against Kepong Badminton Club (BC).

With the action shifting to Ampang’s home ground, the Challenger Sports Centre Ampang (3th-4th November), the title is there for the taking for Ampang Jaya BC who have a 9 point advantage

over Bukit Cheras BC (63 points), having played a game more, six compared to five in the PLJ 2018.

In the match against Rawang BC, world junior championship bound, Ng Tze Yong got the ball rolling when he contributed maximum points after defeating Aldo Oktaviano, 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-6) in 31 mins.

Ampang Jaya BC suffered a setback when their girl’s doubles pair, Ho Lo Ee-Ng Wan Win lost 1-3 (11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 6-11) to Eng Sin Jou-Yap Ling. But not for long, they were back to their winning ways when their mixed doubles pair, Chia Wei Jia-Goh Yi Xuan defeated Vanessa Ng Po Lyn-Yap Khai Quan 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-7).

Chen Lu continued her good run of form this weekend when the Chinese girl’s singles player emerged victorious, 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-7) over Shalini Ravikumar.

Ampang Jaya BC then sealed the tie when their boy’s doubles pair, Kolum Master Krisda- Lew Zeqing won 3-2 (4-11, 11-7, 10-11, 11-6, 11-10) in a thrilling contest against Ghoif Rohman- Ongky Saputra.

With this win and a draw, Ampang Jaya BC coach, Ho Khek Mong is relishing the tie this weekend against Bukit Cheras Badminton Club which will most probably decide the destiny of the championship.

“I prefer being on top rather than being in the chasing pack. The pressure is on them to win against us.

“Next weekend, we are playing at home, so it is a big advantage for us. I feel that the matches against Bukit Cheras BC will be closely fought, they will fight us for every point,” added Khek Mong.

In Division Two, Amanjaya Badminton Club strengthened their grip on top spot when they secured an emphatic 12-3 win over Georgetown BC. The table toppers have now collected 77 points and are now favourites to go up alongside Kuantan Synergy Badminton Club who are trailing six points behind after six matches.