Round 1

andrenaline grips the field. the atmosphere was electric. the game started with the ball in Orange's possession, as Ben started off, flanked on either sides by Kailun and Shaun. The World(tm) met the challenge, and attempted to disengage the ball from Orange's iron grip. Ben passes to Shaun, he misses!!(cue boos and jeers). the ball veers towards the drains and Sid immediately intercepts it in its path and flares across the pitch. Sid through passes to Siyong but Kee swerves in and snatches the ball, going far out with the ball and it lands in Ben's possession. Ben rears up his stick, ready to score. all heads turn in his direction. he hits! and it's a goal!! that brings the score to:

1:0

The World(tm) however was not to be demoralized by such trivialities. they will strike back! Maxim sets off with the ball, and utilizing short but accurate passes, it went to Joseph, which went to Sid. Orange however has enshrouded Sid with sticks and furore. Sid remains composed, and bounce-passed the ball to Siyong! Siyong rushes off towards the enemy's goal. Orange's defences closes in! he attempts to pass but oh! the ball was hit away, leaving it in the open. Maxim, Sid and Ben rushes towards the ball! a flurry of sticks! the ball bounces towards The World's(tm) goalpost! Ben shoots! Jiahui, with impeccable skill deflects the assault! the ball however remains in the scoring area. Shaun cometh! with alot of flailing and wild swinging, he manages to hit the ball, squeezing it between Jiahui's and Joseph's wheel, and into the goal. thus, that brings the score to:

2:0

Orange threatens to reign supreme. vigor and rage fuels The World(tm). surely they aren't to give up without a fight? The World(tm) sets off, with Joseph and Maxim in crucial positions vital for their complex strategy. Siyong passes to Sid, who passes back to Siyong and with that strategy, cleverly evades the pervading Oranges. Sid, now with the possession of the ball, dashes with the grace and dexterity that an elephant wouldn't possess, wove in and out of the ranks of Orange, and before anyone knew it, Sid shoots sublimely, hitting the Orange at where it hurt most. a goal! a devious attempt that worked, bring the score to:

2:1

...and a chance at The World's(tm) revival, and also making this the fastest goal scored.

Ben sets off, passes to Kee, who passes to Kailun at the other wing. Sid challenges! with clever exchanges of feints and twisting, the ball however flew off in a different direction, landing it in The World's(tm) possession. Ben seizes the opportunity! with breakneck speed, a blur flew from mid-court, a spate of defenders came in to secure the ball. "Defence!!" was heard somewhere. but the defenders were a tad too slow. Ben had already shot. but wait! once again, Lady Luck, together with Jiahui's skill, blocked the vehement shot, astounding all. Ben gears in for a second attempt. he shoots! he scores! this time, Ben showed no mercy. the score was

3:1

The World(tm) sets off! Maxim started and passed to Siyong. Kee cuts in! with an impeccable and dead-set accurate pass that could have put a trained marksman to shame, Ben receives the pass and seeing that the way is clear, rides to secure another victory for Orange! Sid, with a war cry, dashes in from nowhere to defend! Ben stumbles! the ball is out of his reach! the ball lies in the scoring area! Ben returns for a second wind! Sid, in desperation jumps off his unicycle and purposely fouls so that Ben cannot shoot. this earned Orange a penalty shot.

Ben readies himself. Sid takes up the challenge of the goalie. meanwhile, the rest shifts uneasily. "Someone be prepared to take up the rebound," Ben advises sagely. more tension, more suspense. a protraction from Ben, a drop of sweat rolls off Sid's head as he eyed Ben with utmost concentration.

movement! Ben shoots! Sid with his ingenuity, uses his 26" wheel to deflect the penalty shot! the ball flies off towards the myriad of Orange and The World(tm) players but no one took the rebound ball! the ball rolls towards the drains(again)!! Sid abandoning the goalpost dashed towards the ball, secured it and sped off towards Orange's goal. Jasmine was unable to stop the tenacity of Sid, hence upping the score to:

3:2

..and turning the tides towards The World's(tm) favor.

Orange returned in full force, Shaun's meagre attempt to pass to Kee was intercepted by Joseph, who was in turn intercepted by Kailun. the ball which was previously in the Orange's half was now in The World's(tm) half, rendering Sid unable to defend. however, Joseph's stalward guard at the goalpost, doubled with Jiahui's goalkeeping ability was not enough to keep Kee from scoring. the ball squeezed through (once again) but went awry. Ben, on the upkeep, drew the ball back into scoring positions and shot, leaving everyone breathless (euphoria for the Orange, fatigue for The World(tm))

4:2

it appears that The World(tm) did not function at maximum capabilities, only until the later half of that game. still, it was good to know that this fervor would carry on onto the next match!

watch this space for the commentary on the next match!