By Adrian Tan/Red Sports
Darius Ng of ACS(I) collects the loose ball. (Photo 1 © Adrian Tan/Red Sports)
Republic Polytechnic, Thursday, July 21, 2011 — The clash of the number two and three teams in the 2011 National C Division Rugby Championship saw Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) beat St Joseph’s Institution 50-0.
With the semi-final places already locked up, it was just the simple matter of settling who would finish higher in the table. Regardless of this result, both teams will square off again when the championship enters the semi-final stage in mid-August 2011.
Both teams began eagerly in the hot sun, with the bulk of play in the trenches, as the forwards battled it out for ground and possession was exchanged frequently in the early stages.
Five minutes in, ACS(I) Captain, Isaiah Teh, went on a surging run, before offloading to winger Daniel Ho who evaded two tackles before scoring between the posts. Joshua Goh (ACS (I) #9), who played fly-half for the day, made the conversion handily.
Not long after, it was Daniel Ho who went over from the same wing for ACS(I) to give his team a 14-0 lead.
When the referee called for a one-minute water break, the SJI coach could be heard across the pitch giving his charges the hairdryer treatment. Whatever he said spurred the lads in green and white into action, as they started to look more menacing.
SJI began to string together a few moves, and were awarded a penalty in midfield and in ACS territory. Electing to kick to touch, SJI made the grave error of failing to find touch. The ball instead fell to ACS(I) winger Jeremy Toh who caught the ball cleanly, and went on a diagonal cross field 75m run. He went on a mazy slalom, before touching down for a try in the left corner.
The failed conversion hit the upright and ACS(I) led 19-0.
In the last play of the half, man of the match Joshua Goh (ACS(I) #9) scored after sustained pressure, before dusting himself down and converting the try to give his team a 26-0 half-time lead.
In the second half, SJI emerged ready to make amends for their first half disappointment. Yet, the lads in blue and gold continued to swarm near the SJI tryline. After SJI had repelled many attacks near their try area, ACS(I) elected to kick for goal when they were awarded a penalty on the 22m line. The successful penalty 10 minutes into the second half made the score 29-0 to ACS(I).
In the 45th minute of play, Keegan Yap (ACS(I) #8) crashed over the try line for his team’s fifth try of the day. The successful conversion mnade it 36-0.
In the 52nd minute of play, Lee Jen En, sneaked in between the legs of his tacklers to touch the try line. Joshua Goh converted to make it 43-0.
It was Joshua Goh who capped off a sparkling performance with a brave try on the 58th minute. After the play, he was stricken on the ground for a good half minute, before his teammates helped him up on his feet. The plucky lad insisted on taking the conversion himself, which he made with ease for a final 50-0 victory.
This is only a curtain raiser to what should be an enthralling semi-final three weeks from today. SJI while outplayed in this game, clearly has more in reserve, given their brilliant displays against Raffles Institution and Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) in the earlier rounds.
The tension at the knockout stages will be palpable and the intensity of play will go up by several notches. We all await that clash.
National C Division Rugby Championship — full fixtures and results
ACS (I)’s Joshua Goh sees a gap in the lines. (Photo 2 © Adrian Tan/Red Sports)
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I wuz very proud of Jayshan Athwal who played extremely well and tackled like a hairy beast! Hurray!
The referee was obviously Bias.ACSI made alot of fouls and deserved red or yellow cards.