Kuching sweep three titles in MSSS hockey

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The victorious Kuching teams celebrate their achievement with Dr Sluhi Lamat (centre) and officials after the prize presentation.

KUCHING: Kuching made a near clean sweep of the titles at stake, winning three out of the four contested at the MSS Sarawak Hockey Championship at the State Hockey Stadium here yesterday.

Their boys U18 team were crowned champions after beating Samarahan 2-0 in their final league match yesterday, thanks to a double from Ferry Filler Freddie.

Kuching topped the league with 10 points from three wins and one draw in four matches while Samarahan collected nine points to finish runners-up.

Third to fifth were Sibu (5 points), Betong (3) and Bintulu.

In the Boys U12 competition, there was a tie for the top three teams as they all collected nine points but it was Kuching  who had the best goal difference to clinch the title.

Sibu and Samarahan were second and third respectively.

Kuching won their third title in the competition when their girls won all their four matches in the Girls U12 league to collect 12 points. Sibu, who collected seven points, finished second while Samarahan came in third with six points.

Samarahan won the Girls U18 title for the fifth straight year when they outclassed Kuching 3-0 in the final yesterday.

Earlier in the play-off match, Mukah beat Bintulu 3-0 to finish third.

Kuching team manager Aris Aras Selutan was very pleased with the splendid performance of his players, saying that they had achieved their target of winning the Boys U18, Boys U12 and Girls U12 titles.

According to him, the majority of the Boys U18 team are still young and they will be the core of the team for next year’s challenge.

“We are happy to have successfully wrested the Boys U12 and Girls U12 titles from Sibu and the Girls U18 team have also done well by finishing second,” he said.

Aris also noted that other teams especially Mukah and Bintulu are fast improving and catching up with Kuching and Samarahan.

He also took the opportunity to thank the Kuching coaches headed by Kangot Awan in the five-day championships.

A total of 64 players including 34 girls were selected to represent Sarawak in the four categories at the MSSM Hockey Championship in Pahang in June or July.

Kuching District Education Officer Dr Sluhi Lamat @ Narawi closed the event and gave away the prizes.