ANCOM Nylex, powered by former national badminton star Muhammad Roslin Hashim, clinched the Piala Ong Ewe Hock redONE Challenge Trophy 2023 when they edged Butterworth BC Gosen in the mixed team final at USM in Penang recently.
Both teams fought to a 2-2 draw, but Ancom was declared the winner of the second edition of the tournament by 13 points (amassing 151 points and conceding 138 points).
Ewe Hock, who won a string of titles, including the Malaysian Open from 1996 to 2001, presented a cheque for RM15,000 to the Ancom Nylex team for their victory.
Butterworth BC Gosen, the inaugural champions, received RM10,000 as the runners-up.
“I saw a lot of enthusiasm shown by the participants, spectators and sponsors during the tournament. This is a good tournament for both the men and women. I hope this will be an annual tournament in Penang to inspire both the young and old players,” said Ewe Hock, a Penangite himself.
In the mixed team final, Roslin, who had participated in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, paired with Azizan Mohd Ariffin to give Ancom a 1-0 lead by beating the pair of Armynul Sabri and Tan Kok Lean with a score of 21-15, 21-18.
But Butterworth BC Gosen levelled the score when Lim Tze Jian-Cheah Yee See defeated Wong Tien Ci-Yap Yee 21-16, 23-21.
Butterworth BC Gosen went ahead 2-1 when Chang Yee Jun-Ng Eng Cheong tamed Low Hang Yee-Tan Wee Gieen 21-16, 21-14.
In a do-or-die encounter, Hong Chieng Hun-Ng Kean Kok of Ancom proved too strong for Mohd Najib Ab Latif-Sayed Muzir Sayed Yusof by winning 21-8, 21-11 to turn the match in Ancom’s favour.
Foo Kok Keong, a member of the 1992 Thomas Cup winning squad, was also present. He gave away the medals to semi-finalists MMOA SBE, who together with WIDAD, won RM5,000 each for reaching the last four.
CRC Penang, led by team manager and former state player Chuah Han Khim, finished as the plate winners when they overcame Four Seasons Badminton Club 3-0 in the final.
RESULTS (Mixed team final):
Ancom Nylext bt Butterworth BC Gosen 2-2 (151 points – 138 points).
(Ancom’s names first)
Men’s doubles: Azizan Mohd Ariffin-Muhammad Roslin Hashim bt Armynul Sabri-Tan Kok Lean 21-15, 21-18; Mixed doubles: Wong Tien Ci-Yap Yee lost to Lim Tze Jian-Cheah Yee See 16-21, 21-23; Men’s doubles: Low Hang Yee-Tan Wee Gieen lost to Chang Yee Jun-Ng Eng Cheong 16-21, 14-21; Men’s doubles: Hong Chieng Hun-Ng Kean Kok bt Mohd Najib Ab Latif-Sayed Muzir Sayed Yusof 21-8, 21-11.
Plate final:
CRC Penang bt Four Seasons BC 3-0 (CRC Penang’s names first):
Men’s doubles: Tan Tong Hai-Teh Cheang Hock bt Ng Sung Poh-Yeap Wooi Wan 21-15, 21-13; Mixed doubles: Lim Chi Wing-Koh Ching Woon bt Eng Zen Yang-Lim Jing Zuan 21-15, 21-9; Men’s doubles: Alex Tan Yi Yan-Quah Aan Yang-Evan Tan E-Fann-Muhammad Hafizudin Haron 21-8, 21-14; Men’s doubles: Chua Bing Chuan-Tang Wai Kong bt Chan Meng Choong-Tan Yu Soon 21-8, 21-14.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix from Ancom Nylex FB