Line Up   –   Starr   –   Bowden, Wells, Ong   -McCarvel, An, Rogers, Alonso   –   Donovan, Hutcheon  Wilson 65', Tan J, Girault 75', Neubronner 85' –   Subs not used: Smollet, Sutton, Schick, Tan S,

Nice afternoon for a 5pm kick-off at Queenstown Stadium. A very good and soft pitch due to the early day's rain – a perfect playing field for a great game of football.

Cup Final for the day – a competition that every team registered for in the Cosmo League and looks forward to at the start of every season – all hoping to be rewarded with that shiny trophy at the end of the season. Here we are, and the two teams that deserved to play the 2010 Cup Final are the Singapore Cricket Club and the British Hotspurs. A remake of the 2008 Cup Final that saw SCC lifting the trophy after a clinical win 4-0.

Nevertheless the last encounter between these two teams saw the Hotspurs clinching a cracker 5-2 win for a rare SCC defeat this season. On the one hand this win would have given the Hotspurs high confidence on their chances to beat SCC once more to lift the trophy, on the other hand the SCC has a revenge to take and is still hungry to lift another trophy this season after winning the Cosmo League a few weeks ago.

SCC coach and captain(s) had prepared the game in the most professional manner as usual. Pre-game team talk as well as individual tactical talks before the game allowed everyone to be ready knowing what to do right from the start, and nothing less than a win was expected. A spirited performance, high intensity all over the park with passion and commitment to the team was mandatory for all players involved, on and off the pitch.

Brad was the referee for the game, and right from his first whistle, SCC was concentrated on putting Hotspurs players under pressure. It was not long until SCC created the first clear chance, Ong playing a long ball over the defence, for Alonso to outpace is defender with a quick run to the box, but his strike could not find the net. Only a few minutes later, An found himself driving the ball through a few players to finally take on the keeper... the latter touched An's leg and got him unbalanced, but our Korean player kept going and tried to recover to score, but unfortunately could not. SCC was always in control in the midfield, even though Hotspurs looked dangerous when finding their playmakers in feet but SCC's defence was coping with their technical ability by not giving them an inch to turn.

Towards the middle of the first half, Rogers came out of his box for another inspirational moment this season when he took on a few Hotspurs players in the centre of the park to run across their midfield and deliver a classy Zidane – like (maybe inspired by the Etoile's stadium?!) pass through to find the young JD running in the space who made no mistake, and put the team ahead, SCC 1-0. And just a few minutes later, the same combination to see Rogers finding JD ideally again but this time only to be denied by the keeper. A few half chances for both teams heading to the half time, but all in all SCC managed the game pretty well, the defensive area was tight to close down any Hotspurs idea while the offensive area was creative but only lacking in good finishing.

Team talk at half time was about remaining calm, keep playing our game, staying composed on the ball with good possession and trying to avoid the few mistakes we made in first half. 

Hotspurs came back into the game with more passion and tried to push for the equalizer from the start of the second half. SCC had to focus on basics, defending well as a team, fighting and covering for each other, showing outstanding commitment, but also being dangerous on the counter attack whenever the chance arose. SCC was struggling to defend on the numerous corner kicks or long throw-ins in the penalty box – Hotspurs players might be in average one head taller than SCC players – but that was not enough, and when it wasn't enough Starr was there to get a couple of amazing saves. SCC was getting tired but always looked dangerous on the break, especially after the great adding value of the motivated subs and their fresh legs coming on the pitch.

Towards the end of the game, tiredness was kicking in for both teams and the last 15 minutes would be all about spirit. After getting the ball off the Hotspurs midfield feet, Alonso drove the ball quickly down the left line, took on a defender but his cross to McCarvel was only deflected. The Hotspurs team was unbalanced and the following move was the killer of the game, with Hutcheon making some space down the right to deliver a perfect cross to McCarvel who was sharper than his defender to head the ball in, SCC 2-0. Hotspurs threw their last hopes in the battle to come back in the game in the dying minutes, but all SCC players were running their socks off, having cramps or pain did not stop anyone and Brad released SCC's joy with the last whistle for a well deserved win and another trophy.  

MoM, as very often this season could go to any SCC player but there was no real standout outfield player... McCarvel is always dangerous, Alonso had some surging runs down left, An and Rogers were always composed on the ball, the strikers and the defence did a remarkable job too, harassing their opponents all day long, but it goes to Starr for another outstanding performance between the sticks. Starr pulled off the save of the game at 1-0 from the Hotspurs striker's header, and with so many set pieces to defend, Starr was always there! Good job mate, you deserve this one.

Credit to Hotspurs for a spirited performance, they battled from the first to the last whistle, showed a lot of spirit and passion especially when trying to find the equalizer. They played on their strengths all day long and got close a few times, but good for us it was not enough.

Great game from the referee Brad and his assistants, which is really not a surprise. As usual he let the game flow for both teams and kept it under control when the passion was getting a little stronger, with a few tasty tackles or other intense discussions... Quality.

The committee made a great effort in getting this stadium for the finals, a great avenue for a Cup Final. May I suggest not planning any other league or cup game on the Cup Final day to allow all other teams to come down for a few beers and watch the game next year?

What an achievement for this 2010 Singapore Cricket Club Team! Winning The Double, 2010 Cosmo League and Cup is a fantastic achievement; it was never done before by any of our glorious precedent players for the club. The way we played this Cup Final today is the trademark of this talented team, playing with spirit, passion and commitment. Every squad member has had an impact through the season and can be proud of himself, and be proud to be part of this team.

Four trophies won over the past three years, two Leagues and two Cups are setting the standard for next season. Looking forward to working hard again together towards other goals, which will be no doubt to be in line with what we have achieved lately, WIN WIN WIN! Come on SCC!!!

Scribe - David ' I wish I was English' Alonso