The 34th Pesta Hoki Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang, a three-day invitational tourney, served as the perfect tonic for a pre-season warm-up for Raffles as well as Singapore's Northlands and Westwood Secondary ahead of the Singapore B-Division (Under 17 age group) and C-Div (U15) inter-school competition.
Raffles One, boasting four Singapore junior internationals, who all are eligible for national selection should the Lion City win the hosting rights for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, were in impressive form in the run-up to the finals but the late goal in the championship match scuppered their ambitions for greater glory.
Nevertheless, Mohammed Shahrom, Teacher-in-charge was elated with his players for their outstanding run leading up to the final.
"The boys exceeded my expectations and it makes for an interesting season ahead," he said.
Having taken four teams to this tournament, Shahrom, had more praise for his chargers, especially Raffles Juniors (U14), who did well to advance to the knock-out stage but were sent packing in their opening game.
"I was impressed with Raffles Junior, especially given that three of the team's players - Brendan Yeo and Mason Xian, who were 13 at the time of the tournament and goalkeeper Li Tian Pei, who only recently took up his position," Shahrom said.
"These boys had only taken up hockey within six to eight months period and their overall performance was superb given their age and inexperience, I see a lot of potential in them," he said.
Apart from Raffles One and Raffles Junior, Shahrom felt that Raffles Two and Raffles Three, given a bit more work could have reached the knock-out stage but were unable to advance past the first round.
"The results speak for themselves. Raffles Two and Raffles Three are a mixture of U14s and U15s and while they did not reach the knock-out stage, they did well trying to advance past the first round," he said.
The tournament, using a seven-minute per half format saw Raffles One N. Balakumaran kick off their challenge on a nine-goal tally, including two hat-tricks to reach the finals.
Shahrom said for their effort the team collected a Milo hamper and a cash prize of RM$300.
