Raffles extend title winning streak to 7 in A Division boys’ hockey

Story by REDintern Farah Alsagoff. Photos by Marvin Lowe.

Delta Sports Complex, Thursday, May 21, 2009 - Raffles Institution successfully blanked out Victoria Junior College 4-0 to grasp the much-coveted A Division Boys’ Hockey champions’ trophy again for the seventh time. The much-anticipated duel between both hockey powerhouses saw the stands completely filled with supporters giving boisterous cheers.

Having beaten VJC 4-1 earlier in the preliminaries, RI were the strong favorites to win the final. The match started with VJ’s #12 receiving the ball. He dribbled towards goal and took a shot that was met with a timely block by an RI player.

RI then gained possession, but their #17 faced a 3-man wall of VJ defenders after dribbling down-field. VJ were awarded a penalty corner shortly after. An exchange of passes between Fauzan (#14) and Suren Sandran (#2) saw the former take a shot which did not threaten the RI keeper. RI’s #8 then had an opportunity with a clean shot in the D, but that was off-target as well.

The first goal was scored when RI’s #10 dribbled in from the left channel and shot past the VJ keeper, who stepped out but was unable to block it. It was a scrappy goal but a goal nonetheless. RI now had the precious advantage and they looked to extend their lead.

There was a moment of tense excitement amongst the crowd when a lob by a VJC player resulted in a loss of possession and an RI counter-attack. Again, RI’s #10 dribbled towards goal, but this time along the right flank. He passed in to #8 whose shot was saved by the quick reflexes of the VJ keeper.

The VJ custodian was once again put to the test towards the end of the first half. It was a close shave for his team as he blocked a shot with his stick, deflecting the ball back to the RI player who launched it goalwards again. It hit the keeper’s leg and deflected out of the pitch. A foul in the process gave RI a penalty corner. In a last-ditch attempt to double their lead before the break, a frenzy of passes saw RI #8's eventual shot disallowed as the referees called for half-time.

RI were dominating the game, having a greater share of possession and constantly being on the offensive. However, VJ's keeper was on form and doing fine in goal. He was correctly anticipating shots and making accurate saves most of the time, just like how a shot from RI’s #7 after half-time was saved with his hand. However, RI #9 Dylan Lee did not give up and as he received a pass from #12, he tapped the ball into VJ's goal, bringing the score to 2-0.

RI scored again in their next attack when #10’s cross into the D found an unmarked Dylan to bag his team’s third goal. The next few seconds saw VJ concede yet another goal as RI’s #10 sent a slap-shot right back into the goal, scoring his first of the match, and the fourth for RI. Within a matter of 5 minutes, RI had scored three goals for a 4-0 lead.

In what seemed a chance for VJ to narrow the score line, RI’s #8 stumbled inside the D and lost the ball. But the VJ players were not quick enough to capitalize on the opportunity, and RI's keeper swiftly kicked the ball away.

Subsequently, VJ launched a counter-attack that was halted by RI #25’s interception.

It was not meant to be for VJ as the referees blew the final whistle. The RI supporters, a small group compared to that of VJ, cheered loudly in admiration from the stands. The VJ boys appeared crestfallen and disappointed, but they played hard and definitely deserved credit for putting up a courageous display to satiate the crowds.

Raffles Captain Ned Theu was delighted with their victory. He shared, “We were really nervous as expected, but we kept our composure and especially to the game plan given by our coach. This match was awesome! The first half was really tough, but credit is due to VJ for fighting on.”

Congratulations to all teams!