Return to the Promised Land (something like that)

CANGGIH-NYA!!!

...was the word when Frontliners who hadn't been here before came and beheld the awe-and-fear-inspiring Balik Pulau Stadium.

"It's the first time any club has had training here," said Coach Jason proudly.

Definitely something to be proud of (costs aside); training here gives people a sense of professionalism so they can boast: "I trained in a stadium!" and not old, much beloved PBSM or Kompleks Belia.

Feet on the ground, though, as training will probably not be held here every week (and everyone with a car can sigh in relief for their petrol expenses).

To take a break from all the kecanggihan and kemodenan, the club welcomed Lavinia back from Sabah. Lavinia had been training with Nomad Floorball Club there.

The players set up the ad boards (international size minus one) while the floodlights slowly warmed up. Once fully bright, the players started immediately on their 2-on-1's, the exact same drill done last week.

The standard of play had not gone up by much, though, the keepers easily saving 9 out of 10 shots. Kuan Yang called the players around twice, releasing them to do the same drill again, then finally called for match time.

Michael awestruck by the size of the court. The players were divided into three lines, one junior, one past-junior-not-so-senior, and one senior. The second line played without rest while the junior and senior interchanged.

Predictably, the seniors bossed the second line, and the seconds bossed the juniors. There were few goals scored by the seniors thanks to excellent defending by Sanjeevan, but the juniors were totally outmatched.

However, they did manage to get one shot on goal on the counter after the seconds' defence was nowhere to be seen. The last laugh was by a rapidly-improving Su Rong, however, as he scored the final goal before Kuan Yang called time.

After training, the tired Frontliners sat back to watch the Penang Ladies' team batter Springfield from Singapore 15-0. Springfield's players were tough and not overawed in the least, often letting their aggression get the better of them (two minutes called twice), but their inexperience showed as Penang scored again and again.

They managed to get a few shots on goal as the game progressed, though Sharron saved Penang the blushes, as even Penang's defenders were going forward, looking for goals.

The match ended with Valerie scoring four, Charmaine and Sheryn three, Serene and Penny two, and Sarah one.