SINGAPORE — It was a battle of wits between student and master yesterday at the National Inter-school Boys ‘A’ Division water polo final, a contest that saw Singapore men’s head coach Lee Sai Meng and national player Paul Tan mentoring opposing sides.

In a repeat of last year’s final, Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC), coached by Tan, pipped Lee’s Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) to the trophy by a single goal. The 2013 championship went to ACJC by a 10-9 score, while the final yesterday at the Co-Curricular Activities Branch Swimming Complex at Evans Road finished 8-7.

The recent decade saw Raffles Institution dominating the competition with six titles between 2006 and 2012, including a run of five straight years. After completing back-to-back wins, ACJC now take aim at that record.

Said ACJC captain Brendan Teo: “Until last year, our school last won in 2005 and that victory gave us a renewed sense of belief. We started training nine times a week for two hours each time and it paid off.”

The result also meant the Anglo-Chinese family of schools swept all three titles on the line, with Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) taking the ‘B’ and ‘C’ crowns.

Said ACJC alumnus Tan, who has been a volunteer-coach at the school since five years ago: “The AC family is getting very strong in water polo in recent years, and we will continue to build on this.”

The teams were never separated by more than three goals throughout encounter, though ACJC have Syed Isa to thank for his three goals with Ang Wan Loong and Glen Lim scoring a brace each. HCI relied on national water polo player and centre-forward Samuel Yu and Raynold Toh, who both scored three each.

While admitting it is heartbreaking to lose by the narrowest margin for a second year, HCI coach Lee lauded his team’s resilience and remains on the lookout for potential national team players.

“There are a number of good players I saw today, but it all depends on who has the sustained interest and finesse after they inevitably focus on their A-Level examinations and then national service,” he said.

ADELENE WONG