JHL: SSTMI Thunderbolts keep tight grip

JUNIOR Hockey League double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts were slow off the block, but picked up steam to beat Petaling Jaya City Council 4-0 in Division One yesterday.
  Unbeaten after five matches, SSTMI showed they are still the team to topple for titles this season.
  SSTMI only led by a solitary goal off Akhimullah Anuar in the 21st minute but after the half-time break, they hammered in four more goals off Shello Silverius (53rd), Fitri Khairul (60th) and Akhimullah again in the (62nd).
  In another match Division One match, UniKL Young Guns beat SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 3-2 with a last minute penalty corner goal.
  SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman was relieved that his players picked up the momentum in the second half.
  "PJCC played very well to contain us in the first half, but after the rest they started defending and that was when my players went up and scored three more goals.
  "The league is at its half-way for us and with five wins, we are on track to defend our title," said Wan Roslan.
  Wan Roslan feels the tournament will become tougher for them from now.
  "We have yet to play UniKL Young Guns, who always give their very best when playing against us over the years. Also Pahang Sports School (SSP-MSP Thunderbolts) have been playing as a unit for years and their players have matured and have a good understanding.
  "I believe both these matches will be tough, but we are game to defend our titles," said Wan Roslan who has taken SSTMI to four consecutive doubles.
  RESULTS -- Division One: UniKL Young Guns 3 SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 2, PJCC 0 SSTMI Thunderbolts 4, Nur Insafi 1 SMKDBL Young Guns 1.
  Division Two: Group A: Perlis Young Lions Jnr 1 Matri 1, MCKK 1 Perlis Young Lions 9; Group B: STAR 0 BJSS Jnrs 2, MSSWPKL 2 Anderson Thunderbolts 1, MSNPK/ILHC x Felda Juniors x; Group C: Pahang Hockey Academy 2 TBSS Tampin 3, Malacca High 7 MSNT-PHT 1, SMKDBL Jnrs 3 Datuk Taha 1.
  TODAY -- Division One: Olak Tigers v SSTMI Jnrs (Tun Razak), PJCC v SSP-MSP Thunderbolts (National Stadium II).
  Division Two: Group A -- Kedah Jnrs v Penang MSSPP-USM (Sungai Petani), Azlan Shah Science v Perlis Young Lions Jnrs (Kuala kangsar); Group B: Felda Jnrs v BJSS Jnrs (Azlan Shah I), MISCF-UFL v Anderson PHA (KLHA); Group C: Science Johor v Datuk Taha (Batu pahat).
  Note: All matches at 5pm.


DIVISION ONE

                 P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

SSTMI TNDER'      5 5 0 0 26 4   15
SSP-MSP-TNDER'    4 3 0 1 24 6   9
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS  5 3 0 2 12 13  9
POLITEKNIK        5 2 1 2 9  8   7
BJSS TNDER'       3 2 0 1 9  4   6
PJCC              4 2 0 2 6  7   6
OLAK TIGERS       5 2 0 3 12 19  6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 5 1 1 3 9  14  4
NURINSAFI         5 0 2 3 6  21  2
SSTMI JRS         3 0 0 3 3  20  0