Interport - RSC vs SCC (Singapore Cricket Club) 8 Sept 2012

Call it a friendly rivalry, but the Interport games with our counterparts across the Causeway have always been a keenly contested game. This year, the Interport game against a young Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) team was yet another battle of Youth vs Experience (which seems to be a norm these days with any team playing against RSC!)

Welcome back Terence!

Looking very relaxed!

The game was scheduled on Saturday, 8 Sept 2012, at Kiara Sports Annexe  and played in a 9-a-side, 60-minute game (3 sessions) format. As expected, SCC started at a fast and furious pace , and RSC was constantly chasing the young SCC boys.  It didn’t take long before our goalkeeper, Vicky Boy was caught unawares with a low, hard reverse-stick hit and SCC was up within the first 10 minutes or so!  The SCC team must have thought that this was going to be an easy game for them!

They were in for a  surprise!

With age, comes experience, and RSC quickly patched up the gap which allowed the defensive lapse that resulted in the goal and the 1^st session ended 0-1. In the 2^nd session, the more composed  RSC team held strong and SCC could no longer find a way around our defence of Baldwin, KC and Mohan, despite their quick runs down our flanks.

SCC dejected... no way through...

As the sky started to grey and a light drizzle beginning to fall over Kiara, the game slowed down to a pace we were more used to, and RSC started looking dangerous. By the start of the 3^rd session, RSC had taken a grip on the game and SCC was pressed into their own half. St John Davies was making penetrating runs into the opponent’s half, supported by Colin Sta Maria, Dato Poon and Stephen Van Huizen, whilst Sambu, Jay and Arun made a nuisance of themselves in the SCC’s semi-circle.

The stout defense of RSC

Halfway through the 3^rd session, a quick move involving Dato Poon, Jay and Colin saw the ball arriving at Sambu’s stick on the SCC penalty spot. With a twist, a turn and a reverse-stick hit, the ball was in the top net of the SCC goal, leaving their keeper looking lost as to what just happened.

There was no turning back, as RSC continued to press for the winning goal, and rained shots at the SCC goal from all angles. Alas, the only thing our forwards could hit were the palm trees and safety netting behind the SCC goal. Time ran out, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

A shake of hands between the players, a quick team photo of the 2 teams and the boys headed to the Pavillion for refreshments!

Team photo - The Orange and Yellow boys of RSC and SCC!

Dato Yoges hanging out with the boys

Anyone need more beers?

The following game between the RSC and SCC ladies saw the ‘resurrection’ of our veteran ladies, Agnes, Mahesh and Christina, and an easy 5-0 win for RSC.

Veterans? No way!!

After a quick shower, the players gathered at Dewan Tan Sri Hamzah for the reception. Speeches were dispensed and awards given to the best players from both teams. RSC also showed SCC that our players were multi-talented, winning the customary Boat Race by a clear lap!

Charles signing up for SCC!

Colin presenting the RSC club tie to SCC

SCC's best player - St John Davies!

SCC's Best Player - Ting Hao receiving a souvenir from Dato Poon

SCC's Best Lady player - Petrina

Yes, we won the Boat Race!

The SCC team expressed their appreciation to RSC for hosting the Interport and look forward to seeing us in Singapore next year. Thanks for coming SCC, and see you again in 2013!