Story by Les Tan. Pictures by Ng Cheng Cong and Marvin Lowe. Additional pictures by ACS old boy. Catch game highlights and the hakas by both teams on RedSportsTV.
Padang, Monday, May 12, 2008 – The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) beat St Andrew’s Junior College 21-8 to capture the National A Division Rugby Championship title. With this win, ACS(I) made up for their 10-13 overtime loss to Raffles Junior College last year. The win is also extra special for this bunch of ACS(I) ruggers, with the core of the team having experienced the loss of three consecutive B Division finals to St Andrew’s Secondary from 2004 to 2006.
At 3:45 p.m., the 1,500 Saint supporters had already turned up in significant numbers while their rugby team warmed up on the grounds of the nearby St Andrew’s Cathedral. The crowd buzzed with excitement as the two teams lined up to stare each other down. As the Saints launched into a rendition of their haka, the clueless DJ and emcee continued playing loud obnoxious music and making unneeded announcements, wrecking the occasion for the Saints team and their supporters.
By the time the game got underway, the ACS(I) supporters were still smaller in number but the game is won on the pitch and ACS(I) showed their domination by squatting in the Saints half from the whistle, hitting their opponents with wave after wave of attacks. That early pressure brought ACS(I) close to the try line but they just couldn’t go over. All they had to show for their early effort was a Blandon Tan (#13) penalty to put themselves up 3-0.
That lead proved short-lived. From the restart, the Saints supporters in turn had something to cheer about when a handling error by Ian Gan of ACS(I) gave the Saints the ball at a line-out deep in ACS(I) territory. From the ensuing attack, a drop-kick attempt executed flawlessly by Jesse Quek made it 3-3.
Whatever hopes the Saints had of moving ahead in the game were quickly squashed though. ACS(I) came back with another penalty through Blandon Tan and they added another five points with a flying try by Md. Khairulanwar, his ninth try of the campaign. Blandon Tan converted beautifully from an acute angle from the left sideline and both teams walked off with ACS(I) leading 13-3 at the half.
Early in the second half, a brilliant mazy run by Alexander Chuang Yi (#11) of ACS(I) led to a try after some good work by teammate Ian Gan (#9), a move which had ACS(I) supporters in ecstasy and neutrals applauding in admiration. The conversion was fluffed but at 18-3, the game was now getting away from the Saints.
But Saints still made a game of it. Picking themselves up, Saints drove deep into ACS(I) territory, and their supporters hopes rose in tandem. This was now the high point of the Saints attack and as the wave of blue and white shirts moved forward, the ACS blue and yellow line braced for the attack. Saints forwards hammered away at the ACS defensive line, picking the ball and hitting against their opponents time and again, looking, probing and searching for that one weak spot to score against their arch-rival. Saints’ pressure brought them to within metres of the try line, their formidable forward pack the vanguard of their attack. They could see it, almost touch it, but every pick-and-go hit an ACS(I) wall and they just could not go over it. ACS(I) repulsed everything thrown their way and survived. Their line held.
Regrouping, Saints came back again, never giving up, and this time their efforts were rewarded. Captain Arthur Lim (#8) broke through with a try down the left flank, right in front of cheering supporters. The score read 8-21. Would there, could there be an improbable comeback?
Whatever flicker of hope they had were snuffed out when first, Saints kicker Kenn Wong (#7) missed from 10m out, right in front of the goal post, then Blandon Tan of ACS(I) put another three points on the board for his team to make it 21-8. When Blandon’s ball sailed through the posts, the whistle went, and ACS(I) arms went up in jubilation.
Saints were outfought on the day, their cause not helped by losing more than their fair share of line-outs and handling errors that stopped their attacking waves in mid-stride. On their day, perhaps they would have been a match, but this was not that day.
“The boys played to instruction,” said Coach Adrian Chong of ACS(I). “We disrupted their (SAJC) possession because we knew that when their forwards get the ball, it’s dangerous. The highlight of the game for me was the first try because we worked to win as many phases before unleashing our wingers. The boys managed to carry that sequence out to perfection.”
As the ACS(I) boys launched into their haka and sang their school song, old boys recalled their day on the Padang. While both teams will only have present thoughts of sweet victory or bitter defeat, the time will come when both will recall with equal relish that they, and nobody else, had played this day on the Padang.
ACS(I) line up:
Eric Ong (#1)
Bryan Wong (#2)
Liu Yu (#3)
John Yeo (#5)
Leo Yi Shyen (#4)
Timothy Gay (#7)
Martin Butler (#6)
Arnold Chen (#8)
Ian Gan (#9)
Shane Gan (#10)
Md Khairulanwar (#14)
Justin Boey (#12)
Blandon Tan (#13)
Joshua Rene Jeyaraj (#21)
Alexander Chuang Yi (#11)
Subs:
Jared Hoon
Douglas Wong
Isaac Lim
Ben Chong
Victor Tan
Sankaran
Joel Lim
Tanaan Quek
Marcus Ting
Saints line up:
1 Carlos Tan (#1)
2 Arthur Lim (#8)
3 David Tambunan (#4)
4 Jegathesan s/o Thanebal (#24)
5 Samuel Thio (#5)
6 Darrell Low (#17)
7 Daniel Lum (#6)
8 Kenn Wong (#7)
9 Chan Ming Qi (#9)
10 Farid (#16)
11 Abel Teo (#15)
12 Daniel Chua (#12)
13 Jesse Quek (#13)
14 Roy Tong (#14)
15 Sirhan (#11)
More pictures in the gallery.
SA played crapped that day. really, i am really disappointed with some of the players. ACSi exposed SAJCs weakness. Their backs were horrible, every time an ac back took it in. he breaks the gain line and they can’t string a decent pass to the wings, all they did all they were SWITCHES and DUMMY SWITCH PASSes. Like how are you supposed to full an AC backline with only those moves? the AC backs saw through it ( not because they were smart, but those were the two that they did all day )
WELL DONE AC! so proud of you guys!!!
photo 4 looks like penalty to me,..holding on to the ball!! LOL!
BB,
well said,
To Ponger, …Isn’t Saint Andrew’s Village suppose to keep the school together as a family from Pri school to JC? So where have the SA boys gone to after O levels?…if they could make it back to SAJC then they could train and play for 5/6 years just like ACS and Raffles. That opportunity is given to them, it is just that they did not value the chance to fight hard enough to hit the books to make it back to SAJC.
So take a look at ACS and Raffles,..a tradition of excellence in sports and the academics that keeps them together for all these years.
With no intend of condescension, this ACSI team is considered by many to be one of the finest (their own dream team). This was apparent from the very start of Yr1. We r not just talking skills here, but all aspects -discipline, commitment, dedication, hardwork, passion…
Its unfortunate that they didnt lift the B Title for 2 years. (reason, apparent)
This team has weathered much together, like no other. They BELIEVE in themselves and trust each other to deliver. Its an unrelenting team.
Kudos to all their attributes that have culminated to their pinnacle of success.
For them, its truly : HUMILITY BEFORE HONOUR’
( this is not written to glorify them, but GOD, their source of ALL)
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
SAJC’s 1st XV line up:
1 Carlos Tan (#1)
2 Arthur Lim (#8)
3 David Tambunan (#4)
4 Jegathesan s/o Thanebal (#24)
5 Samuel Thio (#5)
6 Darrell Low (#17)
7 Daniel Lum (#6)
8 Kenn Wong (#7)
9 Chan Ming Qi (#9)
10 Farid (#16)
11 Abel Teo (#15)
12 Daniel Chua (#12)
13 Jesse Quek (#13)
14 Roy Tong (#14)
15 Sirhan (#11)
hi les,
a few corrections for SAJC
First, first picture has 3 saints, abel teo, samuel thio, jesse quek from L-R
Second, photo 19 itiza looks on
Lastly, drop-kick attempt was by jesse quek, without an i
that ACSi tackle after their restart was insane!
I was siting together with the Saints supporters and they all went silent for awhile.
its a pity Uncle Les missed it though…
Awesome tackle.
The last penalty of ACSi was scored by Blandon Tan, not Shane
aww..no spear tackle =(
i somewhat agree with BB.
Ever since ACSI has their IB programme, the ACJC team dun have much players from their feeder sch other than ACSBr. So it is not a matter of who plays together more but more of who wants the title more. I can sense the I REALLY WANT IT feeling in the ACSI team, including the supporters, cuz from wad i heard from my ACSI frens, this bunch of players lost every final since B div which is probably their movtivation 2 win yesterday.
Thanks RW.
I’m sitting here editing some game footage. I missed the spear tackle. My one-man show only managed to get one AC try and one SA try.
I’ll be putting out some RedSportsTV episodes soon so look out for those.
In the meantime, try not to kill each other on my site. I usually have to mop up “blood” with rugby comments.
ponger,
I wish u wud stop insulting all those JCs who have feeder boys in their teams and hv been training tgt for 5-6 years. RJC’s thru-train programme technically means more than 3/4 of them train tgt for 6 years. Wud abt SAJC? U telling us they dun hv several feeder boys? Or is it a case of “where have all the saints boys gone?”
Since u r an ardent fan of ‘All Blacks’ , u might wanna run d stats of how many of them hv bn training tgt for years. Such an awesome team notwithstanding, yet do they win every match? Wud abt the world rugby championships?
If you wanna talk abt unfair advantage, of the BIG-4, ACJC has the most unfair disadvantage. Their players come from all corners, only a handful fm the feeder schools. Instead of complaining or crying foul, they r resolute believers in their game. They played hard, and relegated the defending champs to 4th place.
‘SOME JUZ DONT GET IT’
To ponger,
I’d sure like to read your report on the game….
I personally thought Les’ report was pretty well balanced. You said you were at the game and thought both teams were pretty well matched? Well, let me tell you it took 20+ minutes before SAJC even crossed into their opponents’ half from the oening kickoff! You must have popped by only in the 2nd half when the Saints did rally and staged a comeback but it was already a bridge too far to cross….
Les gave a lot of credit to the Saints’ fighting spirit but this game was not close….
A good Final…yes! Close game….ahem…you should know the answer…
The quick turnover after the massive spear by blandon was pure class.
regarding the “debate” above..
i feel that although it is a slight advantage when acsi team has like 5-6yrs of playing with each other, i personally dun think it will affect the final outcome. I feel that it was a matter of who wanted that title more. Having friends in acsi, i know that these grp of players have lost finals after finals until yesterday. From their eyes and the way they play, i could sense just how much they really wanted 2 win this game.
Anyway, i know that the acsi team always go up against bigger and older opponents like UWC to toughen themselves up. This is part and parcel of their training regime, it just goes to show how much they really wanted to win. So even though they have been playing together for years, i feel that its their effort and the time sacrificed into training that helped them more.
heys! did anyone get any pictures or videos on blandon’s excellent tackle on e sajc guy? that was totally awesome! it was perfectly timed! the guy had no chance 2 react…i pity that sajc guy though.
spear tackles anyone got ’em immortalized?
Hmm..but if there’s a debate on teams having an unfair advantage due to the number of years of experience they have or time they played together, shouldn’t it apply to all sports which i feel is rather ridiculous and ludicrous as many other JCs have teams for other sports who played together for a long time. Not to say anyone is wrong or right, the bottomline is the winners are the the teams who are the better ones. But being an ac old boy, i say there in the acs schools and other long established instituitions, they have a tradition of players staying together in teams which indeed gives them one advantage which is team chemistry as they can read each other’s next move easily. Physical strength and speed can all be built up in the student’s years at their respective schools, but experience and chemistry is the thing which they lack.
I don’t know when the poly teams pulled out, chaos.