After last years 1-1 draw between the Cosmo Select Team (CS) and the current league champions Singapore Cricket Club (SCC), the Dirk Paulsen Trophy was at stake for another exciting encounter on a much improved Padang field!

CS Manager, Francois Dotta, always has a hard time to select the CS squad since there is such a large pool of talented players in the Cosmo League! Playing in this team or against is always great pleasure. Due to the timing of the game (5.30pm is too early for some) and a few players traveling, the SCC Team was a mix of Cosmo and NFL players. Captain Scott Anderson was clear before the game, we have to win, no more draws, lets keep the cup and win with an excellent display on the field.

Team to start was: Phang in goal, Beng, Anderson, Bates, Rogers at the back, Paul, Macca, Johan, Alonso in midfield with McCarvel and Daud up front.
< br /> The game started very well, high pace and intensity all over the park, both teams looking to play quick into feet with SCC looking to use the width to get in behind the CS back line. SCC created a few chances during the first part of the half, but Rogers, McCarvel and Alonso not able to convert. At the other end CS were utilising the strength of the front two to cause SCC problems and it was from a sharp CS counter attack, that the first goal came. The impressive Magaud pounced on a ball SCC failed to clear and made no mistake with a wonderful strike from the edge of the box, top corner. 1-nil CS.

After a good period of possession for SCC and a few more missed opportunities the equalizer finally came just before half time when Paul converted after some neat link up play in the center of the park. 1-1 half time.

At half time SCC made a few changes bringing on fresh legs to maintain the tempo with Medhi, Ong and Hutcho coming on for Anderson, Johan and JP. The 2nd half started much the same way as the 1st half finished with SCC having most of the possession, keeping CS players under constent pressure and creating some good chances but SCC was always mindful of the threat of a quick counter attack. Two great chances coming from the left wing were missed, the first one by Hutcheon following a fantastic save from the CS keeper. The second one by Paul going 1 inch wide. It was getting closer indeed and the relief came when last seasons MVP, Hutcheon latched onto a great pass to calmly slot home SCC's second to make it 2-1.

As CS pushed for the equaliser, SCC broke quickly with Medhi driving at the CS defense and drawing players toward him before releasing Anderson to get the 3rd for SCC, 3-1 and SCC looking comfortable.

As is often the case in football, CS stepped up the tempo and SCC seemed to think they already had the game won but with 15 mins to go anything is possible. The first warning shot came when CS went very close with a free kick that was saved by Phang onto the post/cross bar and bounced down on the goal line before getting cleared. CS appealed for a goal but the lineman and referee said play on. Opinions will vary on whether the did actually cross the line depending on who you ask but the end result will always be the same, no goal. It wasn't long though before CS did get themselves back in the game when the always energetic Bastian broke down the left side and held off challenges before placing the ball past the on rushing SCC keeper. Game on! or maybe not, the final few minutes were played out with SCC looking to keep possession and CS trying force another goal scoring chance before the final whistle but it was too late. SCC 3-2 winners on the night and another great representation of the Cosmo League! The game was played in great spirits with very few words towards the referees, who where excellent, or between players.

Many thanks to the CS Management and Players, it was a very enjoyable game and we look forward for the next game.

Or maybe THE revenge for the Anglo-Saxons vs. Rest of the World. To my fellow RoW, I don’t think A-S has any chance to beat us ;-)

A few beers were on the table after the game, as SCC rewarded CS keeper as MoM while CS choose Anderson from SCC. Coach Monaghan was happy I believe although no one understood (I guess you need to be scouser to understand) what he said when giving the Dirk Paulsen Trophy to Captain Anderson!