Story contributed by reader Paul Kung

It has been a long while coming, but finally, after missing in action for almost six years, the Singapore Rugby Union and Mastercard have brought back a true club-based Under-20 league. Called the Mastercard Under-20 Rugby League, it promises to be a treat, and kicked off on June 3 at 7.00pm with Northern Knights playing the Wanderers at 7.00pm, followed by Bedok Kings facing a Blacks at 8.20pm, both at Yio Chu Kang Stadium. The final will be played on 21st June, 5pm at Yio Chu Kang Stadium. (ed’s note: we don’t have the results yet)

This competition will see many up-and-coming players from all schools at all levels playing together as one side, doing battle for club pride. Old hands will remember that it was in competitions like this in the early 90s which saw a majority of national players emerge, largely from sides such as the famed Lion Red team, which saw internationals such as Mark Lee and Andrew Kwong gain prominence.

This year's competition will however not feature the SAFSA and Combined Schools team, making this a purely club-based event, giving others an opportunity to shine. Current developments have seen most clubs locally align with schools as a base for talent, so expect to see familiar faces from Raffles, Pioneer, Temasek Polytechnic (Wanderers), St Andrew’s, Singapore Polytechnic (Blacks), the ACS schools and Ngee Ann Poly (Singapore Cricket Club) among others.

As to who look to for, it’s hard to say. The easy money is on the Blacks outfit, bursting with a whole host of current national age-group players. Look for the SCC team to be a strong force too. Bucks are traditionally loaded with the cream of the international schools and are not to be written off. It will certainly be a interesting event.

So get ready for some post exam rugby, I for one am really excited that Under-20 club rugby is back.

Group A
Northern Knights
Bedok Kings
Blacks
Wanderers

Group B
Singapore Cricket Club (SCC)
Bucks
Singapore Recreation Club (SRC)
Police

Fixtures:
(Date-Group-Match-Venue-Kickoff Time)

Tuesday, June 3-A-Northern Knights v Wanderers-Yio Chu Kang Stadium (YCK)-7:00 PM
Tuesday, June 3-A-Bedok Kings v Blacks-YCK-8:20 PM

Wednesday, June 4-B-SCC v Police-School of Physical Education (SPE), NTU-7:00 PM
Wednesday, June 4-B-Bucks v SRC-SPE-8:20 PM

Saturday, June 7-A-Northern Knights v Blacks-YCK-3:30pm
Saturday, June 7-A-Bedok Kings v Wanderers-YCK-5:00pm

Saturday, June 7-B-SCC v SRC-SPE-3:30pm
Saturday, June 7-B-Bucks v Police-SPE-5:00pm

Tuesday, June 10-A-Northern Knights v Bedok Kings-YCK-7:00 PM
Tuesday, June 10-Blacks v Wanderers-YCK-8:20 PM

Wednesday, June 11-B-SCC v Bucks-SPE-7:00 PM
Wednesday, June 11-B-SRC v Police-SPE-8:20PM

Saturday, June 14-SF 1-1st Grp A v 2nd Grp B-YCK-3:30PM
Saturday, June 14-SF 2-2nd Grp A v 1st Grp B-5:00PM

Saturday, June 21-FINAL-YCK-5:00PM