RSC vs KL Bar - Full Report

RSC continue winning ways against KL Bar.

The RSC hockey team continued on its winning ways against KL Bar in the annual RSC/KL Bar games held recently. This fixture is amongst 7 games held annually, the others being soccer, cricket, badminton, netball, tennis and billiards.
The game was held on 10th July at the Bukit Kiara sports annexe immediately after the cricket game, which was won by KL Bar excitingly. Thus it was left to the hockey boys to save the series. And the hockey guys, as always, did not disappoint. The game started off on a frantic pace with the RSC forwards going for the early goal to settle all nerves. The KL Bar defense, held together by Anand Ponnudurai (also a RSC club player), were able to keep the RSC forwards at bay. The RSC forward line, led by M A Sambu, was constantly harassing the KL Bar defense and before long, it produced a goal. Off a KL Bar attack, our midfield broke down their attack and I. Vicki threw an overhead pass to Terence on the right wing. He sped down the flank beat a defender and crossed hard towards goal for the lurking Sambu to deflect brilliantly past the goalkeeper to put RSC 1-0 up. RSC kept up the relentless pressure on the KL Bar defense and it wasn’t long before RSC went 2-0. This time off a through pass from the left from Jonathan, our midfield general Dato’ Poon, picked up the pass, evaded one defender and placed it on a platter for his son, Nikki, to smash home the ball. By now the KL Bar guys were able to only provide some sporadic attack on the RSC goal. They did have an opportunity, when Sanjay (also a RSC club member) had time and space in the RSC semi-circle but in hastiness he shot wide. That was about the only chance KL Bar had on the RSC goal. The RSC midfield, manned by Dato Poon and I Vicki, were constantly supplying passes to the forward line and off a brilliant pass from Dato Poon, RSC went 3 –0 up. This time Dato Poon had time to settle on the ball, side stepped a defender and laid a pass to Alex Voon on the right wing. Alex had the ball in the “D” and placed the ball beyond the reach of the KL Bar goalkeeper with a swift shot. The second half was a tame affair as RSC were contented to hold on to the lead and play out time as the KL Bar forwards hardly were a threat to the RSC defence. Off a quick counter attack, Dato’ Poon found himself in the KL Bar “D” and he took a quick snap shot towards goal. As the ball was travelling towards goal, Nikki, came from the blind side of the goalkeeper to flick it past the bewildered and stunned goalkeeper. RSC 4 – 0. RSC then eased off and KL Bar managed to get a penalty corner in the dying moments of the game and Sanjay scored from the hit to make it 4 – 1. But in the end , the RSC hockey team’s win was in vain , as KL Bar managed to win 3 other games to emerge as champions again in the annual series. Though the score was tied at 3 – 3, but by virtue of being winners last year, KL Bar hang on to the overall trophy for another year.

Report prepared by Terence.