QAF Beats Brunei Shell In Badminton’s ‘Clash Of Titans’
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - QAF Brunei emerged victorious in the `clash of the titans' by beating Brunei Shell 10-7 in the QAF Corporate Badminton League at the Royal Brunei Recreational Club Wednesday night.

Prince Abdul Qawi, Executive Deputy Chairman and Director of QAF Brunei, led QAF Brunei during the “clash of titans”.

QAF Brunei's hard-earned victory was due largely to its inspirational captain Prince Abdul Qawi, who won in all three events he participated in - men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.

Prince Abdul Qawi opened accounts for QAF Brunei by beating Wong Eng Bu 17-14, 15-11 in the first men's singles with some powerful smashes and precision drop shots.

With one point in the bag, Ak Norazaimi Pg Omar stepped into the court with his confidence boosted by Prince Qawi's win, sent Mohamad Adrian Omar packing with a 15-2, 15-2 victory.

Shaken with the early setbacks, Brunei Shell tried to make a comeback in the ladies singles but found the QAF shuttlers in no mood to compromise.

QAF's Noor Azura Md Salleh strolled to a 11-0, 11-5 win over Nurliana Abdullah and Siti Norasmah quickly bagged the fourth point for QAF with a 11-2, 11-0 win over Hjh Khartini Shariati Hj Ibrahim.

Brunei Shell regained their composure after four straight defeats and reduced the deficit to 4-3 by winning the first three games in the men's doubles.

Pg Sulaiman Pg Bakar/Shim Chorng Chong beat Rathnizam Labau/Japari Brauk 15-9,15-4; Hasri Hj Abd Ghafar/Chua Keng Taat overpowered Sim See Hsau/ Zacharia John 15-3,15-4 and Roslan Haji Abd Rahman/ Muhd Fauzi Hj Sabli edged Hasmandi Hj Othman/Hardi Anggas 15-8, 16-17 and 15-4.

Undeterred, QAF Brunei strengthened the lead to 6-3 by winning the next two games in the men's doubles with hard-fought victories.

Ricky Ho/Mardini Awg Salleh edged AwgAhmad Tusin/ PgAzhar Pg Hj Sabli 13-15,15-9,15-11 and PrinceAbdul Qawi/Boroh Petrus beat Abd Gapar Obey/Shim Chai Hua 15-12, 10-15, 15-13.

Both teams were evenly matched in the ladies doubles with two wins apiece. Lai Kim Fah/Liaw Wei Fun ofBrunei Shell were too strong for Hjh Fatmah Hj Metali/Lim Chin Lian winning 15-1, 15-0 while Nurliana Abdullah/Yong Mok Lee packed too much power for Rafeah Bagol/Luly Jabing winning 15-6, 15-10.

QAF's wins were from Noor Azura Md Salleh/Soon Lei Pheng and Haslina Abdullah/Lim Choi Yuat after defeating Noorhashimah Hj Amai/Siti Aishah Hj Awg Mukim 15-2, 15-4 and Dk Surayawatty Pg Hj Bakar/ Sandariah Abdullah 15-7, 15-6 respectively.

Leading 8-5, QAF Brunei only needed one more point from the remaining four games in the mixed doubles to clinch the tie. And it was duly delivered by Prince Abdul Qawi and Siti Norasmah when they beat Roslie Trokie/Hjh Rogayah Hj Bujang 15-8, 15-13 to take an unassailable 9-5 lead. .

QAF's Mardini Awg Salleh/NoorAzura Md Salleh made it 10-5 when they beat Wong Eng Bu/Liaw Wei Fun 15-9, 15-10.

Brunei Shell closed the gap to 10-7 by winning the last two mixed doubles games through Abd Gapar Obey/Lai Kim Fah and Awg Yusof Hj Kassim/Nurliana Abdullah after beating Ricky Ho/Soon Lei Pheng 15-8,15-4 and Rino Md Daud/KC Fang 15-3, 15-3, respectively.

With six wins out of six games, QAF Brunei remained on top of the league table followed by Brunei Shell and RBA.

Brunei Shell will be squaring off with DST Com Oil Jul while OAF Brunei will take on PPAB on July 12. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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