By REDintern Farah Alsagoff

Raffles Junior College Indoor Sports Hall, Monday, April 27, 2009 - Yishun Junior College came up 4-2 winners against National Junior College in a hard-fought and extremely exciting Boys A Division Floorball Championship match.

YJC began the match with swift attacking play, with a shot from #7 which went wide. YJ’s #44 continued the onslaught with a well-executed slap shot that the NJ keeper managed to save.

Not to be outdone, NJC had a free-hit which resulted in the shot hitting the post. They continued on the offensive, with #33 taking a shot aimed for the top corner.

Supporters along the sidelines were ready to celebrate as the ball flew towards the goal, but the YJ keeper foiled their celebrations when he caught the ball before it went in.

YJC’s #8 managed to intercept the keeper's throw, and he dribbled along the left sideboards and took a crisp wrist shot into the right side of the goal. YJC erupted into cheers as they celebrated their first goal.

NJC hit back when their #28 attempted a shot from half-court, and his team mate #11 followed suit. They kept up the attacks, and seemed to be able to penetrate YJC's defence with a series of passes through the centre.

While NJC pushed up into YJC's half, the latter’s #4 managed to break away and made a backhand pass to #17, causing a one-on-one encounter with the keeper. He did not waste the opportunity and scored with relish, putting his team 2 goals ahead in the 11th minute.

Shortly after, luck seemed to run out for YJC when one player was sent off for hooking an NJC player. While NJC were executing their free-hit, YJC’s #2 got his marching orders, this time for improper distance. YJC were now 2 men down.

NJC's calm and collected power play allowed #34 a shot, but it was their captain #11 who finished the job with a spectacular shot from ¾-court. The score was 2-1 to YJC at the end of the 1st period.

The second period saw the same amount of speed and determination from both teams as the first, with YJC looking to maintain or increase their lead, and NJC searching for an equaliser. YJC had the first say when #14 dribbled the ball from the sideboards and made a quick pass from behind the goalpost. His teammate missed the shot, but #4 was on hand for the rebound. This time, NJC's keeper was prepared, and saved the attempt easily.

NJC launched a counter attack as #3 met a pass in front of the keeper, but he was not positioned properly, and his grounder barely missed the goal.

YJC regained possession and launched a counter-attack as #44 faced the keeper in a one-on-one situation again. However, his shot was off-target.

All this while, NJC remained vigilant in their full-court pressure. This nearly paid off as #33 intercepted a pass right in front of YJC's goal, but he was extremely unlucky when his shot hit the post.

The third period saw YJC’s #7 receiving the ball in the centre with his back to the goal. He deftly spun around and took a drag shot that went wide. #15 did the same in the hope of scoring to seal the match, but his shot went wide as well.

NJC followed up with a shot that deflected off the keeper's leg. #5 tried to volley the ball in, but was called for a high-stick infringement instead.

NJC's search for an equaliser saw them send more double-teams along the sideboards to win the ball. Their hunger also showed as they chased down the loose balls.

NJC’s #34 managed to breach the defence line again, with a pass through the centre in front of YJC's goal to find #33, but his shot was saved.

Their break finally came when NJC’s #12 took a fantastic shot past 3 YJC players, giving NJC their much-needed equaliser as their keeper could not keep out the ball. The players erupted in cheers as their supporters celebrated as well. YJC, clearly affected by the proceedings, then channeled their efforts towards winning the game.

YJC’s #14 dribbled downcourt and took a wrist shot, but the keeper managed to save it with his leg. His second attempt, a slap shot this time, was off-target, but #6 stepped up, turned from behind the goalpost, and managed to tap the rebound in easily. YJC now led 3-2.

The desperation of the NJC players was becoming more apparent, with one of their players eventually sent off for repeated offences. Subsequently, YJC’s #4, on the back of YJC's power play, took a slap shot from half court. It went through the keeper's legs, but did not go into the goal. The sequence was repeated soon after as YJC sought to score a 4th goal.

They finally closed out the match when NJC's keeper fumbled a shot from #15, with the loose ball rolling into the goal. Shortly after, the referee blew for time, with the final score at 4-2.

The match was exciting to watch as both teams were attacking, and launching wave after wave of counter attack. Supporters were constantly on the edge of their seats watching the game unveil before their eyes.

In the end, it was YJC’s consistency and their ability to take advantage of their opportunities that gave them the advantage, allowing them to take home the points from a tough and well-fought game.