RSC Veterans win PSC Masters Cup

The RSC veteran’s hockey team participated in the first PSC Masters Invitational Hockey Carnival at the Penang Sports Club grounds on May 8th 2010. The PSC Masters Invitational Masters Hockey Carnival is the first of its kind in the country in that it is for players above 50 years old. The organizing chairman, Mr. Dharmasegaran from PSC, said that the idea to organize this tournament was because of the lack of playing opportunities for players over 50 years of age. He noted that currently for all the veteran tournaments the age-limit is cut off at 40 years. Thus he felt that for 50 year olds to play in these tournaments it was a distinctive disadvantage and too taxing. He also felt that by organizing a tournament of this nature, the older players could come and play amongst themselves on a level playing field and meet up with old friends.

4 clubs were invited to participate in this inaugural tournament, amongst them RSC, Singapore Cricket Club, Ipoh Masters and the hosts, PSC. However, on the day of the tournament, SCC shied away and the J-Stick Ipoh Lads replaced them. The competition format was a round-robin competition and played over 20 minutes. RSC’s first game was against the J-Stick Ipoh Lads and it turned out to be an easy game with RSC winning 2-0, goals scored by Terence and “import” Allan R. RSC’s next opponents were the formidable PSC, who had also won their first game against Ipoh Masters by 2-0. PSC took the game to RSC and attacked relentlessly but the RSC defence held them at bay. In the end, RSC trooped off winners by a 2-0 margin, goals courtesy of Terence. In the final game, which was of academic interest, the RSC guys after a long rest played out a goal-less draw with the Ipoh Masters. Maybe it was because of the long rest, which the RSC guys are not used to, that resulted in a tame draw.

It must be said here that RSC’s forte was the midfield where we had the energetic and buzzing Dato’ Poon Fook Loke and the “imposing but slightly mobile “ K Bala. It was like in old times to see these 1975 World Cuppers in action. In defence, RSC was marshaled by the “no-nonsense” but sometimes “erratic” Bobby Ho and the “ever electric” Baldwin . In goal, RSC had the calm and “gout” James to tend the cage. In the forward line RSC paraded the “effervescent” and “silky “Capt. Azman and the “goal-getter” Terence. To make up our numbers, we had to depend on 4 temporary “imports “to fortify our cause, because as it is always which we must admit, were able and dependable.

Immediately after the final game, the organizers treated the teams to a b-b-q lunch on the field with drinks flowing. It must be said here that with the drinks and the hot afternoon sun, the true hidden talents of the RSC hockey players surfaced. It was here that we saw the singing talents of the “gout” James, “effervescent” Azman and the “imposing but slightly mobile” K Bala. It was karaoke time and these sporting members really did RSC proud with their rendition of Cliff Richard, Lobo and Frank Sinatra hits. At times, they even did not want to part with the microphone. Even our very own Dato’ Yoges was impressed with their singing so much so he had to pencil some request for some of his favourites, and which was duly obliged by Bala, when he sang “ Let It Be “.It was a pity that both Bobby and Dato Poon had to return early and miss the renditions. Had they stayed back, we could have seen and heard more from these two, especially Dato Poon.

By the time all realized, it was late evening and it was time to leave. But before we left, the RSC guys definitely had left their mark in PSC and it was a good fun all round and the first PSC Masters Invitational Hockey proved a success. It has been decided that a tournament of this nature will be organized on a quarterly basis and that RSC would do this in December this year.

Report prepared by Terence.