25 Jan 10, SINGAPORE: The first round games are nearing completion in the Singapore Hockey Federation (SHF) Under-21 Championships and week 3 has sorted out jostling for second round berths. In the boys tournament, Singapore Recreation Club (SRC)Team 1 redeemed their esteemed reputation by edging past C&C United 2-1 to secure their passage to phase two alongside the Singapore Youth Olympic Games (YOG) squad from group B.

C&C United who last both their games at the weekend could not deny SRC the points in their Saturday afternoon clash. Locked goalless at the break C&C must have fancied their chances of progress. However they needed a win and drove forward in search of it only to be caught twice by the competent SRC boys who led 2-0 before C&C United replied with what was a consolation goal. Needing a hefty win over the YOG boy on Sunday the deflated C&C side fell 5-0 and ended their U21 debut with respect in the least.

Also seemingly heading out of the competition are Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) who despite beating Indian Association (IA) 3-1 were disappointed to learn Jansenites and Police drew their game 1-1. That result meant that SCC will be eliminated if Police beat IA and Jansenites don't lose against lowly Ceylon Sports Club (CSC). It is more likely than not that Police will pick up the required three points against IA.

Meanwhile in Group C, Old Rafflesians' Association (ORA) booked their place in the second round with a resounding 5-1 win over SRC Team 2. The result left Khalsa top of the group with ORA going through with them. The group games in the boys competition will end next weekend.

In the girls section, IA scored a handsome 5-0 win over SCC to get their campaign back on track. Jansenites sent debutants Vijayanti Hockey Club back to the drawing blocks with a 6-0 mauling. Defending champions SRC edged out OVA-VJC 1-0 to maintain their 100% record while Crescent B and Police shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. The group games in the girls' competition will continue till 21 Feb 10 before cross over semi-finals will decide the finalists.

In the meantime, YOG's Muhd Haseef has swept to the top of the boys goal scorers' table with 12 goals from 4 games. This was largely helped by his 4 goals against Hawks in YOG's 20-0 destruction of the latter. K Balakumaran of SCC is second with 7 goals and ORA's Eugene Lee third on 6 goals. In the girls section, not much movement as Nadia binte Ibrahim and Nursabrina Bhanu continue to lead on 4-goals apiece.-story by SHF