SIRIUS Soccer in Singapore
30 October 2007 By LSPTI Morris
Top: LSSN Munro, ABBM Coles, SMNBM Roberts, CMDR Hawes (CO), LSBM Bellingham, ABMT Brooker-Humphries, ABSN Clifton-Sprigg. Bottom: LSPTI Morris, SMNCK Hood, ABCIS Harding, LCDR Ridgeway.
HMAS Sirius, the current holders of the Fleet Proficiency Award, the 'Pakistan Shield' for sports participation and achievement, enhanced their chances of winning back to back titles during their recent stay alongside Singapore.
Sirius showed they were eager to impress the locals with their sporting prowess by competing in a soccer match against the New Zealand Infrastructure Auxiliary Police Force (NZIAPF), as part of their first overseas deployment since Commissioning in September 2006.
Sirius' start to the game was impressive with an early goal in the first five minutes, scored by the side's captain ABCIS Scott Harding. With some solid defence lead by LSBM Shane Bellingham the locals found it hard to make any serious inroads.
Sirius quickly found the back of the net three more times taking a four goal lead. Some great lead up play from ABBM Adam Coles, ABMT Anthony Stephenson and SMNMT Anthony Brooker-Humphries allowed SMNBM Jabin Roberts to slot the ball past the keeper and succeeded in taking the tourists into the break with a five-nil lead.
Forced to make changes, the NZIAPF applied constant pressure on Sirius' tiring defence, finally cracking under the constant strain, and conceding a well worked goal past the outstretched arms of Sirius' keeper SMNCK Tom Hood.
The NZIAPF team scored two late goals giving a true indication of the competitiveness of the game. However, it was the support of Sirius' enthused fan base that carried their side to the final whistle and their first international win.
Best on ground for Sirius went to defender LSBM Shane Bellingham, who constantly held off waves of attacking play from the NZIAPF side. He was strongly supported by LCDR Phillip Ridgeway, ABSN Mark Clifton Spriggs and LSSN Clint Munro.
There was much handshaking and tired smiles between the Sirius and NZIAPF teams when the final scoreboard showed 5-3. Both teams agreed that a repeat of the competition should be planned for Sirius' next port visit to Singapore.
