Story by REDintern Christy. Pictures by REDintern Teo Zhijia

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RJC Zulilhaam (#2) and captain Harold Foo (#7) tackles VJC captain Wong Hon Dennis Gregory. (Photo 1 © Teo Zhijia/Red Sports)

National Inter-School A Division Boys Floorball Championship: Tampines Sports Complex, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 – It was a highly anticipated game in which last season’s first runner-up Raffles Junior College (RJC) and second runner-up Victoria Junior College (VJC) battled to reign at the top of the league table. Ultimately, both teams, equally matched in skills and stamina were held to a deserving draw of two-all.

In the first period, energy was on a all-time high for both teams as they were going all out to secure a win. Nonetheless, despite the intense game, both goalkeepers managed to keep their wits and made a couple of good saves, keeping the score clean for both sides. Credit must also be given to RJC Jeremy Tan (#13) who played a mean game, thwarting any VJC’s players that came near the goal. The first period ended in stalemate.

After a hard fought first period, the second period started out just as furious. Nonetheless, RJC Anandraj (#15) managed to find an opening to score as a quick pass by his team mate allowed him to slot in the goal. The VJC goalkeeper who had slided to the wrong side in a bid to save the ball could only watch on helplessly as the ball went in. It was only a short-lived joy for RJC as less than two minutes later, VJC Mohammad Fauzan (#17) sent in a hard and fast ball into the net that caught the RJC goalkeeper unaware and he remained stationary when the ball flew in.

The tense atmosphere continued on to the third period, with both teams looking for a goal to seal off the match. In a game where both teams were evenly matched, it all boiled down to luck in the end. VJC had their stroke of luck when VJC Jonathon Heng (#13) managed to fling in the shot in the 04:48 min. VJC must have thought that lady luck was shining down on them as with less than five minutes to go, one referee called for a penalty for VJC after witnessing a scuffle in the penalty box. However, after further consultation with the other referee, the penalty was changed into a free-hit instead. RJC must really thank their lucky stars as it was the referees’ decision that changed their fate. After successfully foiling the free-hit, RJC players snatched the ball and pushed forward quickly towards the VJC’s net with RJC Terence Ang (#8) sucessfully knocking in the last goal of the game in the 11:05 min, making it 2-all. With this draw, RJC successfully remained at the top of the table with a goal advantage over VJC.

Both teams’ passion for floorball could be felt as despite the countless falls on the slippery floor, the players simply just pluck themselves up and went on with the game, never complaining. It was an exhilarating match with both teams never backing down and giving their all – making both teams deserving winners.

Semi-finals will be held next Monday, 21st July at Tampines Sports Hall:
Meridian Junior College will meet Victoria Junior College at 1400 and
Raffles Junior College will meet Yishun Junior College at 1500

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VJC Tor Cher Han (#22) tries to prevent a RJC player from going past him. (Photo 2 © Teo Zhijia/Red Sports)
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The VJC team celebrates. (Photo 3 © Teo Zhijia/Red Sports)
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The RJC team celebrates. (Photo 4 © Teo Zhijia/Red Sports)

Editors note: If you recognise yourself or your team mates in any of the photos, feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly.

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A Division Floorball Boys final league’s standings. (League Table © Christy/REDintern)