By Adrian Tan/Red Sports
Two minutes from time, ACS(BR) giant prop Kamen Tang (#3) out-sprinted and out-muscled the Saints defence to touch the ball down first. The try was converted by his captain, Ahmad Zhuri to tie the game up at 10–10 and send it into overtime. (Photo © Richard Seow. Used with permission.)
PESEB (formerly CCAB), Thursday, April 11, 2013 — Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Rd) stunned defending champions St. Andrew’s Secondary 13–10 in the semi-finals of the National B Division Rugby Championship.
In the preliminary group stage, ACS (Barker) had finished third behind Saints, who finished second in the table. Both schools had played out a tightly-contested match in the group stage, with St. Andrew’s coming out narrow 14–12 winners, thanks to a last-ditch penalty.
With a place in the final up for grabs, it was St. Andrew’s who started off the brighter. Both teams tackled hard and adopted a kicking game, opting to kick for position with every given chance. It was ACS(BR) who blinked first, when they knocked on such a kick, and the resultant series of play led to a Saints lineout. The Saints forwards quickly took the ball down and started a rolling maul which rumbled easily forward over the tryline on the left corner for the opening Saints try. The try was converted by flyhalf Syiraz (#10) giving Saints a 7-0 lead going into half time.
Early in the second half, Saints received a penalty which Syiraz (#10) converted to stretch their lead to 10-0, thus making it a 2-score game. At that time, the body language of the ACS(BR) players were negative. They needed something to hang on to, and to give them hope. That arrived 10 minutes from time when ACS(BR) were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. ACS(BR) captain Ahmad Zhuri (#13) stepped up and calmly nailed the penalty but Saints were still leading 10-3.
However, the momentum of the match had swung a full 180 degrees. Saints were now hanging on for dear life, while there was a new zip in the stride of the ACS(BR) players. Two minutes from time, ACS(BR) giant prop Kamen Tang (#3) pounced on a loose ball and kicked it into the Saints try area. He then out-sprinted and out-muscled the Saints defence to touch the ball down first. With all the weight of expectation on his shoulders, the ACS(BR) captain Ahmad Zhuri (#13) coolly slotted in the conversion. 10-10 it was and that was how it remained at full time.
In extra time, the rules are simple — two halves of 10 minutes each, sudden death, with the first team to score, winning. In the unlikely event that the teams are still tied after 20 minutes of extra time, Saints, having scored first, would be declared the winner, according to the tie-breaker rules.
ACS(BR) won the toss and elected to kick off. Three minutes into extra time, some 20 metres out from the try line, ACS(BR) were awarded a penalty by referee, Just Wang, who called the Saints defence out for not releasing the tackled player. Again, ACS(BR) captain Ahmad Zhuri (#10) was called upon to take the kick. The nervous tension was palpable and to the credit of both sets of supporters, it was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Two steps back and with a resonant “whomph”, Zhuri sent the ball through the posts and along with it, ACS(BR) into the final of the 2013 B Division Rugby final.
Speaking to referee Wang, an IRB level 2 international referee, after the match, he said that going to extra time, any penalties given would have to be clear-and-obvious decisions, given the sudden-death ruling. He explained that he had no choice but to give the penalty against Saints, because the fouling player had brought the ACS(BR) ball carrier to ground, and without fully releasing the tackler, attempted to rip the ball away from the ACS(BR) player.
It was an outstanding advertisement for Singapore school sports. Fans were knowledgeable and appreciative of good play from both sides. Both teams played hard but fair.
ACS(BR) now plays brother school ACS (Independent) in the B Division final on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Home Team Academy, Choa Chua Kang, 5 p.m. ACS(I) beat St. Joseph’s Institution 35-3 in the second semi-final.
St. Andrew’s Roster
Justin Teo (#1), Ryan Ong (#2), Austin Ng (#3), Hidayatulhakim (#4), Haznce (#5), How Yu Sing (#6), John Chan (#7), Jeromy Chua (#8), Wong Kok Ho (#9), Syirazinurdinie (#10), Alif (#11), Zul Fadli (#12), Romille Reyes (#13), Dedrick Lim (#14), Mohamad Ruzaini (#15), Adley Goh (#16), Haziq (#17), Umar (#18), Mirza (#19), Jotham Teo (#20), Bernard Teh (#21), Ezekiel Soh (#22), Mark Anthony (#23), Akida Lim (#24), Qushyrie (#25), Ghalib Samir (#26), Sean Chuan (#28), Anand Charles (#29), Tay Hao Xia (#30)
ACS (Barker) Roster
Matthias Soh (#2), Kamen Tang (#3), Joed Tay (#4), Joseph Hu (#5), Hong Lin (#6), Loh Chuan Yi (#7), Mikkhail (#8), Anders Quah (#9), Andre Quah (#10), Samuel Gunalan (#11), Ethan Foo (#12), Ahmad Zhuri (#13), Jonathan Chua (#14), Jaren Heng (#15), Samuel Foo (#16), Ajay Ratty (#17), Asraff (#18), Jared Hoe (#19), Alaistair Wong (#20), Mun Yen (#21), Izzudin Shah (#22), Ebenezer Loy (#23), Kieren Wong (#24), Jared Tang (#25), Bronson (#26), Ezra Daniel (#27), William Loh (#28), Danish (#29)
2013 National B Division Rugby Championship – fixtures and results
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