6-packian Times: The Battle for Playoff spots...

As the season draws to a close, it looks like 6-pack's has the league title in the bag and the only fight will be among Wanderers themselves. With 2 matches to go, the Wrinklies have shown great improvement ever since the 10-2 thrashing by the runaway league leaders. They have closed the gap on Wanderers Men and are just 2 points and 9 tries away from overtaking them. This may be a tall order for the team that solely relies on the technical aspects of the game as they lack the pace and stamina. But take note the saying.. "You can never predict the bounce of an oval ball." likewise the other saying "Just don't play Bryan."

The young boys of UWC are looking to make it into their first ever playoffs as they increase the pressure on Bucks Pilsners with a gritty victory over Republic Polytechnic.

This UWC team reminds us of a 6-pack team in the past just starting out in the STL. The only difference is in the looks department where 6-pack has been reigning champions for god knows how long.

We asked the leader of the burnt list, 6-pack Team Captain Alan on who he would rather play in the playoffs. He had this to say "I'd rather play against Bucks Pilsners than UWC as they would provide a more exciting game with their imense depth of technical know-how".. When further grilled on whether he wanted an older team as he was terrified of getting burnt again, he said "Blimey mate, i'm not co-captain for being a puss aye."

For Bucks Pilsners, they managed to fend off a challenge from cellar dwellars T.W.C.S.A by defeating them by a score of 4-3. This means that Bucks keep alive their slim chances of finishing 3rd, thus reducing the chances of meeting 6-pack in the playoffs. When asked how the bottom team of the league could put 3 past them. Team Captain W. Wallace exclaimed "She wwaws nevverrr onnn!!...I'm going to demand that we have video rrrefferrreees...forrr ourr futurre gamess"

As for T.W.C.S.A..it is back to the drawing board... as they look likely to finish the season in bottom place. It has been a real humbling experience for them.At first, things looked to be bright for them at the start of pre-season when they announced the transfer of Lee Yum Hwa into the team. But alas, it was not to be... none of the league main stars were looking to join them as they feared getting ostracised by the rest of the league. We wish them good luck next season.

Keep your eyes open next week as we close in on the playoffs and give you in-depth profiles on the key players involved in the semis. Also we look to provide you the list of burnt victims for this year's NTL.

Fans Stand Up!!

In an amazing show of support of their idols, an estimated amount of 2 dozen 6 pack supporters showed up at the last day of the IMEF. Fans wearing the old 6pack jerseys turned up in unison to protest the lack of facilities made available to 6pack.

Anyone hoping to see chaotic scenes would have been dissapointed as the fans were launching a silent protest. The 6packian Times managed to catch a hold of a former player and president of the 6pack fan club and ask him what this protest was really all about.

6packian Times : Hi Khairul. Pleasure to see you mate. What is this protest all about??

Khai : Well...as a matter of fact kan...gua have seen the look of my former mates when they came and visited me after my operation. A look of desparation, heartpain u know kan...they're not paid to play, they've got no showers, no hot and cold pool...toilet also got problem..but still they give their best..So we the fans, have decided to step up to protest the management kan, and maybe just maybe push them into letting 6pack use the basic facilities man...

6packian Times : But why the silent protest?

Khai : ah... dok... gua know u will ask question ni...the silent protest is done kan...so that the IMef pple don't think this country is bad...imagine if we shout.."let us use toilet!, let us use toilet!"..they will think this place siao la... no gum.. no outdoor protest...no toilets... cannot la...so we pretend la...no voice...

6packian Times : So why not at the padang? I mean you can stage a protest there right?

Khai : Cannot...not legal...IMef only place...

6packian Times : Do you really think it will work?this protest?

Khai : Honestly gua got no idea... but if 6pack wins the championship...then i think management will have no choice but to submit to our demands la...and if they don't... we call for boycott...launch our reformasi demostrations also!!

6packian Times : We're glad to see that you're willing to go so far to help the team...by the way...whats your prediction for this saturday's mixed final?

Khai : Well dave...I've got the feeling that its going to be a marvellous game..with loads of flair coming from both sides.. and my guess is that SRC will just nick it by 1 try...with the MVP award going out to Marli for the girls and hmmm..amila for the guys....

6packian Times : errr what happened to your acc...never mind...great to see you again Khai...good luck on your protest.

Khai : buya...cheers sama lu....

Critics Can Keyman Who Canned Critics

In a surprising turn of events, Keyman Lee of the 6-Pack got the tables turned against him, after boldly proclaiming his greatness to the world. A series of errors by the fallen star in the Mixed game against UWC nailed the coffin for his short but controversial Touch career. It all went downhill for Lee the moment he clicked on 'Publish Post' and posted the infamous self-indulgent entry "Keyman of 6-Pack cans critics". The weight of self-inflicted pressure to perform obviously wreaked havoc with his catching, touching, and passing skills which caused a serious beating to his already on-the-line pride. We, the critics, only have this to say to Mr Lee: "Who's your daddy now? "

In Lee We Trust

My Ass!

Nevertheless, we hope to see Mr. Lee

come out of his pitfalls soon

Round 6: 6-Pack vs Bedok Kings

16th Sep 2006, 3.30pm, Turf City

Round 6 Match:

Score: 19-1

Playa of the Day: Taufiq & Leander
Taufiq ~ Opening the floodgates with 2 quick successive tries on his favoured left wing.
Leander ~ Brilliant vision and timing throughout the game. Always gaining more than 5m, creating tries and scoring at will (Ed note: was never part of the original entry; nice try Leander) whenever the ball is in his hands


Play of the Day: One set of sharp fly defending in the 2nd half, against a King’s punch-up which gained them only 3m, using 2 touches, followed satisfyingly by a turnover.


Dick of the Day: Dick Lee ‘Keyman’ Yum Hwa

In the immortal words of Ali G… RESTECP-uh! A never before seen score line throughout the whole season as 6-Pack once again produces a brilliant performance with a final tally of 19-1.

6-Pack started the day with a rare low turnout of 10 players with supposedly ‘key’ players, Adam, David, Xiang Junn, Gideon and Kenny all missing in action. All with good reasons of course, except for Kenny, whom we last heard, flew to Melbourne for a much needed liposuction. But the lack of manpower didn’t affect the Magnificent 10 as the memories of a 7-man Wanderers team grueling it out last week, inspired them to do even better.

The opponents comprised of reasonably fit and decent players who definitely left their youth years ago but were still far from reaching Senior Citizen status.

Utilizing their pace effectively, 6-Pack was a constant menace on the punch-up, keeping the Kings defence constantly on the back foot. The punch-ups are now looking more solid and decisive as the season progresses, and it’s being done more intelligently now, especially by Jitwei & Hadi, punishing the defenders who are furthest and gaining plenty of meters
It’s also very encouraging to see the flow being established easily, since most of the dumps were done for a teammate close behind. However, the significant numbers of dummyhalf fumbles need to be reduced and only practice, practice and more practice will correct that.

At the 5m, not much could be mentioned as most of the tries came from our open play. Still, composure is sorely missing there and more work needs to be done to make our 5m play more kick-ass.
Again this week, our defence was not properly tested as the opponents attack were not fluid nor quick enough. Even though it was quite an easy day in the defence office, kudos to the whole team for the excellent discipline shown in going back to meet the 5m mark all the time. Even the referees were happy to ref this game, and how often do you see that?

Having said that, one thing that has to be weeded out quickly is the pseudo-touches. Make the touches count. It’s no use going up to meet the attacker and then letting him slip through beside you. Because if the opponents do a quick dump on your teammate who is beside and behind you, instead of going back 5, you’ll have to retreat 7 or 8 meters. Unless you crave for that kind of punishment, MAKE THE TOUCH! One thing that was really encouraging to see was the fly defence, exemplified in one instance by Nazhan, followed by Leander. It’s really exciting to know that if this is done more and done properly, the number of turnovers for us will increase even more!

Another aspect to the game that we could add to our repertoire would be taking advantage of the confusion whenever the subs are coming in. Hey, it wouldn’t hurt to instill more chaos in the opponents right?

Summing it up, 6-Pack is looking better with every game, and this should lead us confidently into the last few games of NTL.
Booyah!!

P.S. this article was brought to you by the letters R, E, S, P, e, C, T and the number 19. (plus possibly 1 more)

Round 4: 6-Pack vs UWC

2nd Sept, 1.00pm, Turf City

Round 4 Match:

Score: 8-2

Playa of the Day: Adam

Dick of the Day: The UWC bunch for whining & arguing with Bryan

Another brilliant outing for the team as we pulled off another convincing one over the Young Foreign Talents from the United World College (UWC). The opponents consisted of mostly young, fast and fit rugby boys (Gideon’s favourite) complimented by a few more experienced touch players. Weather was hot and dry as usual but I believe it's posing lesser of a problem as the season goes on. With a more flexible contact schedule, Hadizan was put back into action after a few weeks of absence and right back into the thick of things he was, causing the defence plenty of worries.

As a whole, we played to our strengths and produced a much more cohesive and slicker defence. Our open play has been getting better and it's beginning to show as seen from this game. A lot more passes are being made and it's being made with a more definite purpose to attack the furthest defender as compared to just driving up only. Technical-wise, there's always room for improvement to make the dumps as clean as possible, the passes sharper and the scoops quicker.

In terms of defence, we defended well generally but it wasn't a strong test as the opponents weren't really fluid in attack. So far, the season has yet to provide a convincing test of our defence play but rather than wait for that to happen, a more pro-active approach will prepare us better when it comes. A smothering aggressive defence is in actual fact a relentless offence in disguise. And this will result in us receiving more possession which gives us more time to play with the ball, and punish our opponents more!

Our 5m play can be much better with more sessions, and more effort put into observing the defensive movement and numbers. To do that, a more Zen-like mindset at the 5m needs to be developed and encouraged.

In time history will judge teams based on wether they are as efficient as the NZ, as fluid as the Fijians and as good-looking as the 6-packs!
Booyah!

The pictures below pretty much sum up the day for the 6-pack:

Round 3: 6-Pack vs TWC team

26th Aug 2006, 3.30pm, Turf City

Round 3 Match:

Score: 11-2

Playa of the Day: Amila

Dick of the Day: Alan & Naz

The prospect of being selected to represent the Touch World Cup team in South Africa provided more than ample incentive for 6-Pack opposition. In contrast for 6-Pack, lining up against SRC veterans and the lack of a referee created the illusion of being in a training game.

Directly from kick off Marli quashed the illusion and made the TWC teams motives clear by breaking trough the 6-Pack defence in the opening attack. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to fire the 6-Pack machine into action as the game stayed scoreless until after the first quarter. Leander opened the scoring after a dummy half break by Amila. The lead lasted all of 3 minutes. Angels trademark angled run and dummy was enough to level the game and sealed Edmunds entry into the prestigious BBAC (Burned By Angel Club).


6-Pack's second try and arguably best came just before the break. Simple quick hands down the line sent Amila in for his first of 4 tries. However, this moment of skill was not a reflection of a substandard first half full of handling errors.

Coach’s only half time wish was to “put the game to bed”. Her wish was duly granted as 6-Pack turned up the heat and the score from 2-1 to 11-2. The scoring frenzy began straight from the restart with XJ scoring after the first touch. A second half hat trick from Amila and a brace from Adam put the game well out of reach to the TWC team.


The game ended in sharp contrast to how it began with Six Pack on top and TWC counting the cost of their errors. Hopefully the game provided them with a taste what South Africa has in store and exposed areas of their game that need improvement.

Man of the match, only one contender, Amila. . If he wasn’t scoring a try he was setting one up. A stellar performance with the exception of dropping a rare David Teo pass in the first half


Dick of the day was hotly contended this week with 3 nominations.
1. Alan and Naz for watching the referee to give the mark and not the player taking the penalty and scoring unopposed. (Apparently you don’t have to wait for the mark when taking a penalty on the 5m line; I’ll not forget that in a hurry).


2. Leander for touching Amila after a break away in an attempt to trick him into dumping (although it would have been hysterically funny)


3. David for ignoring the 3 man overlap and doing what he does best, selling fish




The winner, well it is tempting to pass the buck onto so someone else especially as I’m writing the report but I guess I’ll have to take responsibility (sorry Naz)

Keyman of 6 Pack cans critics.

The Straight Times

12/09/06

"The Keyman of an organisation or social network at every level, is recognised to be indispensable with regards to the going concern and it's ultimate survival." - Teddy Kingstead

Common was this belief as most of the 6 packians sat in silence, after receiving news that one of the team's most celebrated and rising player, was down with a chronic back injury. They seem to be consciously subdued by the fact that the ongoing chain of success the 6 Pack have been enjoying, may finally be broken.

It was an unfortunate accident which occurred during one of the practices on 14 August 2006. The morbid incident paralysed many on the scene, as their most prized player got hauled off, possibly together with their dreams of ever becoming reigning champions in the Touch Singapore League. The horror stricken faces of both the team Captain and Co-Captain were plainly undeniable, which only reflected what some of the other 6 Packians might probably have been contemplating at that time...NTL is LOST!

It was apparent that the loss of starplayer Lee Yum Hwa, aged 24 could indefinitely pose as a detriment to the 6 Pack as related by Captain and founding pioneer, Yohannes "not your anus" Leander who stuttered between coughs of disbelief.

The Straight Times: What are your thoughts on this whole tragedy?

Leander: "It feels like...I've just......Jihad-ed....my own...ass!"

Co-Captain Alan "Lontong", who appeared to be more collected and rational, had a more substantial contribution...

Alan: "Oh bloody arse!! Everythings just gone pear shaped...we're completely wankered then aren't we?"

...or maybe not.

The other 6 Packians came forward and offered their thoughts.

Xiang Jun: "What the fuck?? I told that stupid Leander 6 MONTHS AGO not to sign the transfer but he wouldn't listen!"

Gideon: "I would just like all them truckers out there to know this......I SWALLOW!"

Adam: "I think he is a capable player but we're most likely to get through without him."

David: "Aiyah, I personally do not think its a big loss laar...except the loss from our pockets! Besides, I think my exceptional good looks and brilliant skills will be enough to hold this team together. By the way, you want an autograph?"

Kenny: "Definitely a commodity...you pay for what you get. An exceptional player contrary to some beliefs."

Sujan: " Yum da man lar...He my hero!"

Two weeks passed in a blink, and miraculously, Lee seems to be regaining every bit of his original self once again. He was lately seen running through his own secret training regime in islolation...he looked mean!
After making a full recovery, Lee continued to make his mark, by steaming the 6 Pack through another 4 convincing victories in the league. The most memorable win was against long time arch rival, Wanderers Men, who were duly put aside. However, disparaging rumours began to circulate claiming that Lee had only led his team to what was referred to as a "false" or "short" victory. The claim was substantiated by the fact that Wanderers had effectively thrown in the game by submitting only sub-par players with the remaining key players on the pretext of "playing frisbee". Fortunately, an inside informant (whos particulars will not be disclosed) came forward to shed some light on this issue.

The Straight Times: "I believe you have a breaking truth to share with us"

Informant: "Yes, as a matter of fact I do. To my knowlegdge, all the premier players who heard of Lee's unexpected recovery held their nails to their teeth, and believed they may just escape the inevitable shame of being beaten twice if they missed the first game against 6 Pack. However, not preparing for a complete 'walk-over' as points will be forfeited, they managed to round up a few unfortunate sacrificial souls in their place to walk the path of shame....those cold-blooded bastards!"

And there you have it, right from the horse's mouth. A conspiracy nonetheless or simply an evasive attempt to not have the shit publicly beaten out of them. Lee continued to uphold the 6 Pack legacy throughout the league by doing what he does best; slicing through unrelenting defenses, creating opportunities, scoring tries and winning the hearts of many at Turf City.

The Keyman concept till now is the most undeniable and reiterated ideology. It holds principal to the success and livelihood of the 6 Pack, whenever the undying and ever-conquering spirit of Lee is regarded. Kudos to this magnificent God-given talent! We wish 6 Pack the best in what is to come for the NTL and please annihilate those motherf**kin Wanderers for us! As a conclusion to all being well and happily ever after...

Leander regained his sanity.

Alan continues to dish out his "Lontong" special. XiangJun still feels strongly about the transfer.

David recieved less autograph requests than Lee. Adam proclaimed himself as Lee's sidekick. Gideon...well, still swallows.


As for Lee...

IN YOU WE TRUST

Round 2: 6-pack cleanses away the Wrinklies

19th Aug, 1.00pm, Turf City

Round 2 Match:

Score: 10-2

Playa of the Day: Amila

Dick of the Day: Alan (for letting Bryan scored a Try)

6-pack issued a warning to Reigning Men's Champions Wanderers as they chalked up yet another emphatic victory over the Wanderers Wrinklies. Victory in this game was never a doubt as everyone knew that the youthful 6pack would outrun and outlast their more experienced counterparts, considering the fact that Wrinklies' average age was double of that of 6-pack.

6-pack opened accounts with a well worked try as early in the 2nd min. But stout defending by the older folks of Wanderers and dangerous diagonal runs by nimble import Grant"Axe" Rawlinson(of Bro-Town fame) meant that a slightly backfoot 6-pack had to wait till the 8th min to score their second try. A piece of tricky defending gone bad by Bryan(The Boss) o'Connor resulted in Youth Academy Graduate Md Taufik slipping under his hapless and wailing arms.

The Wrinklies soon replied shockingly, with Axe Rawlinson catching 6pack's winger off-guard with a superb cut-pass cutting the 6-pack lead into half.

Well any hopes of a come-back by Wrinklies were soon erased, as The Boss shockingly allowed a 6-packian to run through by purposely missing the initial touch and expecting him to overrun the mark. Unfortunately for poor old him, he had forgotten to stick out his other hand.

After that it was all 6-pack all the way to the final whistle, with the slight exception of Alan getting stepped again. We in the press here, are beginning to think that Alan has a charitable side in him. It has been a common sight to see Alan giving them away. After the game we managed to get him to say a few words.

Hi Alan. Great Win today. But we're quite dissapointed to see you get burnt again. Considering the fact that you claim to be the only one in the team with washboard abs.

Alan: Well i made the touch and it was a touch pass in which after that the other guy scored. Honestly if you actually bothered to review the game you would notice that. i did not really bother about disputing the try much as we were already up and you also got to consider the amount of effort it took for that Wanderers guy to dive to the ground, or maybe he fell..hmmm..heck... The guys played really well today. I'm quite proud of the lads. And I was never burnt ok?? Look...I even gave them the "Longtong" special

Ok. Congratulations I understand that you're going to play in the mixed next?

Alan: Yeah we're playing the Wanderers, we are gunning to be the first team to beat them.

Good Luck Mate.

Alan: Thanks.

We wish 6-packians all the best in their next game in the mixed against a Never been Defeated Before Wanderers Mixed Side.

Stay tuned for the that post and and an interview with the fiery, outspoken coach of 6pack Carmel Seeto and also a special list that will be out soon.