Contributed by reader Bryan Wong
With just over a day before the semi-finals between the "big four" rugby schools of Singapore, tension and suspense is mounting; both players and supporters alike anxious. Will it be an all Anglo-Chinese School A Division final or will the hopes of an AC final be upset by either Raffles Junior College or Saint Andrew’s Junior College? Right now, the playing field is even, with ACS(I) emerging with a slight edge over the other three schools â€" their invaluable experience, teamwork and chemistry. However, the other three schools are not letting loose their grip. All four schools have been training intensively in the hopes of trying to achieve optimal conditioning and performance in the semi-finals.
The first semi-final match will be played between ACJC and SAJC with a spot in the grand final at the Padang at stake. The match will be gruelling with a tight clash in the forward pack. ACJC backs seem to outshine those of SAJC’s with the likes of talented fly-half Mandeep Singh. SAJC will rely on Arthur Lim to bring in much experience to spur their forwards on and try to control the game. Expect a tightly-played forwards game filled with slow ball and pick-and-go from SAJC. However, ACJC's hard-hitting forward pack will not give their opposing forwards an easy match.
The other semi-final match sees defending champions Raffles play powerhouse ACS(I). The stakes are high for ACS(I) with their stellar-performing team comprising national team and club players like Blandon Tan. Just a few months ago, ACS(I) punished RJC by a painful 39-0 in the group stages of the first-ever ISSAC tournament, subsequently beating United World College in the final to clinch the championship. Raffles have yet to prove themselves this A Division season as defending champions and much pressure is on them to give ACS(I) a good fight. A team with no exceptionally outstanding individuals, RJC will give their 100% against ACS(I) and try to dominate in the forwards. They will not find it easy against a tight-knit ACS(I).
In essence, an intense Monday on the 5th of May. Great way to chase away those Monday blues.
My prediction:
ACJC to beat SAJC
ACS(I) to beat RJC
1st Semi-Final
3pm – SAJC vs ACJC
2nd Semi-Final
4.30pm – RJC vs ACS(I)
Both games at CCAB, Evans Road.
wrong prediction. sajc won acjc. ha
great play for both teams! (:
you guys really did great.
and yeah,
it’s rugby, so don’t complain, yah?
except when i complained to my mom last time coz i kena whacked during game.
bah! i was dumb.
IT IS RUGBY, AFTERALL! =D
and i love rugby too, kc! (:
tohkiatshengKEN
O7/O5/2OO8 A.D
btw Redsports Reader, i really appreciated your comment, regardless of what others had to say. It’s great that u’ve voiced it out, as i strongly agree too. you have my respect! (:
Both teams fought hard. It was an even contest till the last 5 mins. The team hungrier for victory won.
SAJC despite being down 2 to 3 times during the game fought their way back. Their spirit is evident. SAJC was dominating the forwards play. Turing over lineouts to scrums (one from which they scored, sealed the game up) which are important for any team to win a match. Their backline was on task to deliver too as you see them stretch ACJC backline to the max. No fancy play. Just simple hands.
ACJC seems to be in good control at the start of the game.ACJC has a good scrumhalf who controlled the pack well and put the team in front twice with his kicks. Forwards were coping well with the SAJC larger forward pack in the first half. Loss steam as the match went on. Backline was quiet throughout the game. No penetration. Only form of getting forward is to pump balls down into SAJC territory and hope for a knock on (successful a few times) or someone to chase the kick. Failed to protect their lead.
Overall it’s was a thrilling encounter, with close scores until the final few mins of the match. With no sides wanting to give it up, this must have stretched the players from both side to the ultimate, mentally and physically. ACJC depended too much on their shining scrumhalf while SAJC played more like a team with no exceptional “superstar”. Indeed rugby is a team game. Got to applaude ACJC scrumhalf’s effort of lifting the team up by himself.
From what i saw, i’ll like to comment on SAJC forward pack. Their turnover rate is amazing. There is this 50m maul which they did that left many in the stands in awe. They were too strong for the ACJC pack. After the game, i saw a few SAJC players in tear. (tears of joy i guess) My predition is that SAJC will go on and win the finals. Based on the strong forwards play and their never give up attitude. A team that can comback thrice in a game is not a team to be reckon with.
The RJC match a bit wasted luh. Look at the ac guys, freaking huge, cannot catch ball, just power their way through with the brute force.
sigh. i love rugby.
and it was weird seeing how an SAJC backline which was supposed to be “weaker” than its ACJC counterparts took control of the game. it was inspirational stuff. and not to mention their forwards who have shown once again why they should not be underestimated in this competition.
yeah…he was hard….but i still thought that at such a crucial point of the game….he shldnt take such a risk….the referee alrdy had an eye on him after similiar incidents before that one.
that yelow card was too harsh. That was a just quite a late tackle and it was hard, knowing that jonah is fast and hard. that yellow card really wrapped up thematch for sajc to win.
the odds are really against SA to win the finals.
*SAJC won 20 – 11, not 19 – 11.
Well, my take on the match is that the referee was a bit biased towards AC. The ref had the supporters (not just the Saints supporters, but some parents as well) hurling vulgarities at him. Many a times he ignored certain fouls, and let the game continue.
Either way, a game is a game, and SA won. Good job to AC though, they really did put up a fight.
*Here’s e dates which i missed out…
Cup 3rd / 4th – Friday, 9 May 2008
Cup Final – Monday, 12 May 2008
well done to both ACJC and SAJC for putting up a great game. it was a great atmosphere. But it was quite a saddening fact that some ac ADULT supporters couldnt keep their disrespectful and unruly comments and attitude to themselves. nevertheless,a great match between the two schools! well done!