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.
Semi-Final 1
SAJC vs ACJC
Predicted Winner by reader Bryan Wong: ACJC
Actual Winner: SAJC
Score: 19 – 11
Semi-Final 2
ACS(ind) vs RJC
Predicted Winner by reader Bryan Wong: ACS(ind)
Actual Winner: ACS(ind)
Score: 17 – 13
Cup 3rd / 4th Placing Playoff
RJC vs ACJC
4.30pm @ PJC
U20 A-Division National Rugby Championship “The Police Cup”
Cup Final
SAJC vs ACS(ind)
4.30pm @ Padang
im sorry . did You say rough. This is rugby my dear friend. are you voicing your views in the wrong sport? or are you telling me rugby is supposed to be gentle?
kudos to SA for winning the rugby match!
guess what? SA won!so to those who keep putting down SA and bragging that AC will win. it’s time to shut your mouth and accept the fact that SA won.and im proud to say that SA won with pride and played a CLEAN and FAIR game.i dont dare say that of AC thou who played so dirty and rough.
* …. I think you are in no position to say what you have said as you have already directed a “personal attack” on a reader of this website and people should have the rights to say what they say as long as it does not offend anyone or contain any vulgarity or crude remarks and does not contain “personal attacks”….
RedSports Fan:
I think you are in no position to say what you have said and people have the rights to say what they say as long as it does not offend anyone or contain any vulgarity or crude remarks. From my personal point of view, I feel that saintZ has not criticised any school in particular, and it is wrong for you to make that judgement. I seriously think that your comment/remark is unneccesary and should be removed.
Saintz,
I’m a redsports reader and from non of the above schs. After following the website for the past 2 years, esp Rugby, I think I have to speak up my mind.
I think it’s time that you have to wake up. You have been living in your past.
I have been reading the website and realize that you have been talking nothing but the past and please stop criticizing others.
Yes, RI and Saints started playing rugby first, but that doesnt mean these 2 schs own Rugby, and other schs cannot play. If they play, make sure that they cannot be better than both RI and Saints. Are u trying to say that? Then please inform
MOE or CCAB that no other schs in S’pore can play rugby except RI and Saints.
Please , this is sports. Twenty over years back, SJI has always been the champion for soccer but it has since been taken over by other schs. And schs like Teck Whye and Chinese High has been champion for Volleyball and also has been taken over by other schools. These schools dont go round talking about their past championship and condemn the present winning schs.
Take RI as an example, during their recent Honours Day, the old Rafflesian told
the present boys – “During the 70’s and 80’s, RI has been the champion sch for
rugby but now ACSI is the King of Rugby. It ‘s okay, train hard and one day we may take back the championship”. This should be the way to educate your junior
and not keep poisoning their mind and hate their competitors.
I know this is non of my business, but I have no choice but to write in tell you. This site is not only read by 3 schs but the whole of S’pore and even the world. Stop behaving this way, you bring embrassment and shame to your sch.
Saints, you must learn to accept defeat. Train hard and take back the championship If you win, dont brag and if you lose, dont blame. Remember,
the whole S’pore is watching you!
um ya, maybe, like how ACJC was put out of e final in 2006… *no offense*
but i think RJC is gonna be out of e final though I want them in.
haha saintZ its time ACS(I) breaks traditions..we can start by putting rj out of the finals for the first time in many years..
i think it will be an ACS(ind) vs SAJC final…
but it’ll be good if it will be a SAJC vs RJC final, coz a traditional final at Padang would be Saints vs Rafflesians… from as early as b4 the 1970s (though records only show from e 1970s till today)… it was always Saints vs Rafflesians at e A,B,C divisions final at Padang…
i predict ACJC vs ACSi final. ACJC is brimming with confiedence. And ACSi is just too good.
Ahaha,
Oh yeahh.
Great report. 😀
self praise is no praise bryan.
Both matches will be played at CCAB Bukit Timah.
great preview!
A prophetic prediction i pray. Anyway, its always nerve-wracking and nail-biting to watch such high intensity games. Indeed. these ‘big four’ have some of the best talents in rugby. Though bias as it may sound, the highest concentration comes from ACSI. Undeniably, the most talented of this cohort has to be Blandon Tan, gifted and consistently good since P5.(then, nicknamed as the tower of terror by some parents.) Khairul, one of the fastest players i have seen. Such joy to see him outrun the opponents. Everyone of them, playing with great skills and agility.
I concur with ‘ex ac-rugger’ comments that the best 15 are from ACSI, for the simple fact that they play with such team-spirit and unity, with great chemistry. They play their game with much fluidity.
That is not to slight the other 3 JCs. They too have some outstanding players, particularly ACJC. RJC had a good team last year. SAJC is respectable too.
So we are rooting for Bryan Wong to lead ACSI to victory as he reckons where his source of strength and grace comes from.
where will the respective matches be held
3pm – SAJC [*3rd / **1st] vs ACJC [*4th / **3rd]
4.30pm – RJC [*1st / **2nd] vs ACS(ind) [*2nd / ** -]
*Position in A-Div in 2007
**Position in A-Div in 2006
What time is the kick off??
I just had to put mandeep’s name in.
“likes of talented fly-half Mandeep Singh”
Nicely said! hahahaa. Mandeeeeep!