Story by Marvin Lowe. Pictures by Marvin Lowe and Ng Cheng Cong.

RJC’s #12 Chung Siyi takes aim as Donica, the ACJC defender, braces for the shot. (Photo 1 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

CCAB, Friday, May 2, 2008 – In a nail-biting game, Anglo-Chinese Junior College sent traditional rivals Raffles Junior College out of the first round of the A Division Girls Hockey Championship with a 0-0 draw. RJC needed a victory to secure their ticket to the next round while ACJC only needed a draw. As they entered into this match, it would have been on the back of the mind of this RJC team that this could be very well be the last time that they would be playing as a team.

From the get go, RJC gave their all and poured forward to attack the ACJC goal. However, poor passing and ball control did not allow them to sustain any effective siege on ACJC. Often these errors would lead to ACJC counter attacking against RJC. However, ACJC did not convert any of the chances or penalty corners they received. On the other hand, RJC received more penalty corners than ACJC in the first half, but they too failed to convert any of these chances as well.

In the second half, RJC kept up the pressure and the ACJC keeper nearly cracked under the stress. The best chance of the game fell to RJC’s forward, #9. She had effectively dribbled past the ACJC defense and actually rounded the keeper but was tripped at the very last minute before she could take a shot. With that, RJC were awarded a penalty corner. From this penalty corner, they could have scored with the ACJC keeper running out of position yet again. However, an ACJC defender was on the on line to clear the ball to atone for her keeper’s error.

The ACJC defense remained stout and it seemed like a brick fortress surrounded their goal. Despite their goalkeeper’s many erroneous judgments, they were let off the hook many a time. When the final whistle blew, it was a moment of mixed emotions. RJC were left to rue the missed chances and the end of their journey as a team. On the other hand, ACJC celebrated as they knocked out a traditional rival and continued their progress into the second round.

In a goal mouth melee, a RJC player wildly swings her stick and misses the ball. (Photo 2 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Krystle (in white) from ACJC dribbles past Wendy, the RJC defender. (Photo 3 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

RJC’s #13 takes an elbow into the face as ACJC #15 tries to charge pass her. (Photo 4 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Krystle from ACJC dribbles past a RJC defender. (Photo 5 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

RJC’s #9 tragically tripped and fell before she could shoot. She was inches away from the goal. (Photo 6 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Rachel (in white) from ACJC and a RJC player charge for a loose ball. (Photo 7 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

Samantha Baey from ACJC clears the ball away. (Photo 8 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

An ACJC defender unsettles RJC’s forward in the D-ring again. (Photo 9 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Krystle from ACJC is tackled by Wendy (extreme left) and another defender from RJC. (Photo 10 © Ng Cheng Cong/Red Sports)

Despair for the RJC forward while the ACJC keeper smiles thankfully for Lady Luck was with her. (Photo 11 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Joy for the ACJC team for qualifying tops in the group. (Photo 12 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

… grief for the RJC team as they console one another. (Photo 13 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

Ed’s note: If you recognise yourself or your teammates in any of the photos, feel free to leave the names behind in the comments section and we will update the captions accordingly. Thanks!