Here are two scenes from a hockey match played in 1977 ...
I've provided a couple of zoomed-in pictures. Can you spot yourself or any of your friends ? Anyone have any stories on this and other hockey matches?
Thanks again to Edmund Lee Ah See for sharing the photos.
I've provided a couple of zoomed-in pictures. Can you spot yourself or any of your friends ? Anyone have any stories on this and other hockey matches?
Posts
i think i see Nick.
ReplyDeleteHi Is that Bro John ?
ReplyDeleteInteresting that in the last zoom shot, the chap on the left appears to be checking sms messages on his mobile phone, but of course we know that can't be since mobile phones weren't invented yet back then :-)
ReplyDeleteThe Team Line-Up of St. Joseph's Hockey Team 1977
ReplyDeleteCoach : Bro. Adrian
GoalKeeper : Lee Ah See
Full-Backs : Dennis Kong, Bernard Lee ( captain )
Half-Backs: Sylvester Jussem, Benedict Tham, Francis Yii Hung Hua,Goh Yik Hock
Forwards: Alex Linggi, Wong Ik Chai, Nicholas Lau, Patrick Ho.
Reserves: Wee Loke Gian, William Lee, Zakaria, ....(can't remember the rest, though )
A number of these players went on to form the nucleus of the "Odessey Hockey Team " - which dominated the Kuching Hockey Tournaments and Leagues in the 80s & early 90's.
Three were represented on the State Team - Benedict Tham, Patrick Ho, Lee Ah See
Whatever the stage they played in, the COMMON feeling that prevailed among these players was that they were "Josephians" - nothing can take away the exuberance when you don the "white & green" Jersey.
The passion to excel overrides other things !!!
We learnt to be magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat.
Cheers to St. Joseph's...hip...hip...hurray !!!!
Hi Edmund,
ReplyDeleteI think Dr Dennis Kong is heaving a sigh of relief game is over, last picture.
Absolutely agree with You, Lee Kien. Not only Dennis...in fact, all the players (save for Nicholas Lau, maybe)..were drained..physically..mentally..that St. Patrick's Team gave us a run for our money...mind you, they were the defending champions.(Unbeaten too ) for the past 2 years.
ReplyDeleteBut they had no answer to Nicholas' speed and goal-scoring prowess - he averaged 2 goals per match. During the inter-zone final, he scored 4 goals against Penrissen and we led 6-0 at half-time. They gave us a walk-over for the 2nd half.
Some of us still recall the match during our reunions.
During his hey-days, Nicholas Lau had no equals, on the track or in the hockey/rugby fields. Sad that our Old Josephians' Association does not recognise these heroes..perhaps a "hall of fame" is in order. To remind the present Josephians of their heritage. Imagine Sg. Tapang School trouncing us in Rugby recently....tell this to John Lee, Chee Kok, philip Chin, Chng, Khoon Teck, Lip Kee, Nicholas..etc...they will scream their heads off and yell....""WHAT !!!!!"""
The Team Line-Up of St. Joseph's Hockey Team 1977
ReplyDeleteDecease - Patrick Ho.
Wee Loke Gian.
May they rest in peace.
Edmund,
ReplyDeleteWow what incredible memory you possess!!, remembering such details.The 32 year old match must have been etched in your memory...
The way you described it reminds me of some excited sporting commentator!
Our very own girl sporting heroine is non other than our classmate, Sophia Wong
Re the last pic, Sylvester Jussem must be sending out a victory SMS!
ReplyDeleteNotice that the match was played on the rugby field and not the hockey pitch. This was becos the hockey pitch then was in a bad, wet and muddy condition due to continual rain.
ReplyDeleteIf I am not wrong, SJS met STS in the semi-final. The SJS-STS match was also hard fought and even got physical. I remember 1 of the STS player getting agressive and hitting one of our player's head with his stick. Our player retaliated challenging him with his hand instead of using his stick as well. The STS player had the sense to back-off. Both players were then sent to the bin which we felt was unfair to our player.
Of course those of us who were watching the match and supporting our team, started shouting and booing as we had the numbers and also due to the fact that it was home ground for us.
Hi Edmund ,
ReplyDeleteIt was the team spirit and teamwork that always carried the team through. That what made Josephian so heroic in all its undertakings in those days . Thrashing the Thomians ..ooph !
Did not actually thrash the thomians. it was quite a hard match, but we prevailed over them.
ReplyDeleteEdmund, I think Wong Ik Chei was also in the team and a key player as well. Correct me if if am wrong. Memory failing me.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Leonard - Ik Chei was in that '77 Team and a lynch-pin in midfield. He orchestrated most of the moves - his defence-splitting passes created the opportunities for Nicholas to breeze through and finish the job. Ik Chei's deft skills and stickwork mesmerised the opponents and his close-control and body feints usually left the opposing defenders on the wrong foot...winning penalty corners and free hits.(he was our State Badminton Champion too)
ReplyDeleteWith Alex & Patrick pulling the opposing full-backs wide with their surging runs down both flanks, most of our goals resulted from Ik Chei's through passes down the central gaps.
Of course, it was a Team effort, notwithstanding the brilliant individual players like Ik Chei, Nicholas, Bernard and Yii Hock.
Our defence only conceded one goal through-out the entire tournament - a testimony to the solid defence, ably marshalled by Bernard and Dennis Kong. (now Dr. Dennis - an eye specialist)
And Francis Yii's aerial flicks were a joy to watch...his overhead passes from defence to attack often caught the opposing defenders in sixes and sevens..what more with Nicholas galloping at full speed towards them !!! Terror !!
And a word of thanks to our ever-loyal band of supporters ( Leonard's one of them, I'm pretty sure ) for their vociferous support which lifted our fighting spirits - especially in the Semi-finals against the Thomians.
Memories are made of these !!!
Cheers !!!