Kuala Lumpur: Puchong United BC hailed Cheras BC’s fighting spirit as they hung on for victory to secure a hard-fought 11-10 win on Friday.
World number 20th Tanongsak Saen Somboonsuk opened the tie against Muhammad Hafiz Hashim of Cheras in the first men’s singles match. Fittingly it was veteran Hafiz who clinched it for Cheras with his tricky net shots that forced a lot errors from the shuttler who came from Thailand. After nearly 48 minutes toe-to-toe combat, Tanongsak Saen Somboonsuk lost 7-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 9-11 to the 2003 All England champion.
Puchong United suffered another setback when Lee Ying Ying had no answer to Febby Angguni of Cheras, losing 4-11, 6-11, 8-11 in the women’s singles to put Puchong United at a 2-6 deficit.
Agripina Prima Rahmanto Putra/Markis Kido reignited the flame of hope within Puchong United camp when they trounced Muhammad Hafizi Hashim/Zakry Abd Latif 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9 to close the gap on Cheras at 5-7 as the battle tighten.
However, Cheras maintained pressure on Puchong United in the race for victory after Markus Gideon/Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth knocked out Tan Wee Gieen/Peck Yen Wei of Puchong United 3-0.
Daren Liew who made an early exit in the ongoing India Masters tournament, came through an easy game against Syed Akbar Shah of Cheras by winning 3-0 in the second men’s singles match, before Darren Isaac A/l Devadas/Yew Hong Kheng of Puchong United staged a great escape for their team to beat Chong Chun Ning/Ng Sun Ly 3-0.
In another tie that was held on Friday, Ampang Jaya BC wrestled away Serdang BC 14-11.
Muar City continued to top the Purple League ranking after they recorded their 8th winning streak over Petaling Jaya on Thursday.
