IHG Hockey (F) Finals by Sean Lim

Hall 2 v Hall 14
WIN 1-0 (AET)

Thursday, 9 January 2014

NIE HOCKEY PITCH, NTU – In a largely one-sided final, the Hall 2 female hockey team emerged victorious after extra time with a 1-0 win over Hall 14, winning the championship for the first time in a long, long while.

The female hockey team has been dominant all season, scoring plundering goals from all corners, yet only conceding 1, and an own-goal at that. Meanwhile, Hall 14 were surprise finalists, after upsetting defending champions Hall 3 in the semi-finals with some smash-and-grab tactics. It was no surprise that we started the game as favourites, but finals being finals, everything gets thrown out of the window once the game starts.

Fortunately, when the game started, we started on the right note. From the get-go, our girls proved exactly why they were such strong favourites coming into the game, with Shireen dribbling past a few dazed-looking defenders and finding herself through on goal. Sensing that Artrillian was in a much better position, she squared the ball to Art but Art failed to convert. No matter, a warning has been served, that Hall 2 is out for 

the title.

That move from the first minute set the tone for the game, for the rest of it pretty much consisted of Hall 2 camping in the opposition half of the pitch, trying all sorts of ways to force the ball into the net.  Credit’s due where credit’s due, Hall 14 did put up a valiant backs-against-the-wall defensive effort, scrambling the ball away from the goal line on many occasions just when it seems a goal was inevitable.

There were a few occasions that Hall 14 did manage to break out of their half into ours, but those were far and few between, and on those occasions, they would find the majestic figure of captain Esther, or ‘Bobby’, in their way, thwarting whatever designs they may have on our goal.

Hall 2 thought all their offensive pressure had paid off when Petrina shot from the edge of the D into the top corner, only for the referee to inexplicably disallow the goal for a high stick that did not really seem like a high stick. The whistle blew, ending all sorts of celebrations that already began.

Into extra time we went, and it was a sense of déjà vu as Petrina attempted a nearly-identical shot with identical results: ball in goal. This time, there was a sense of trepidation among the supporters and the players; no one wants to celebrate prematurely again. But this time, there was no whistle.

Goal given. Cue celebrations.

Hall 2 were female hockey champions.

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