Pictures and story by REDintern Vanessa Lim

RP scoring its first try, with NTU players cheering in the background. NTU had beaten SP in the other semi-final earlier. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Singapore Polytechnic, Thursday, January 8, 2009 – Republic Polytechnic (RP) beat the National University of Singapore (NUS) 4-3 in an Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Touch Rugby Championship semi-final match.

It was a tough fight between the two schools as they battled for a place in the final. RP managed to score the first point within the first 10 minutes of the game, but NUS fought back.

From then on they matched each otherpoint for point until the end of the game.

Both sides missed scoring opportunities, dropping the ball near the try line on a few occasions.

RP delivered the final blow to NUS just before the horn went when they scored their last point to make the final score 4-3.

RP will now meet Nanyang Technological University (NTU), who beat Singapore Polytechnic in the other semi-final, in the final at Singapore Polytechnic (SP) tomorrow.

An NUS player just misses scoring a point during the 2nd half of the game while the RP player gets a boot in her face for her troubles. (Photo 2 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

NUS defense trying to intercept the ball. (Photo 3 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

The NUS #6 passes the ball to her undefended teammate just before being tagged. (Photo 4 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

RP players taking on a defensive role to prevent NUS players from scoring a try. (Photo 5 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

NUS player trying to get past the RP defense. (Photo 6 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Pictures from the earlier semi final match between NTU and SP.

(Photo 7 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

(Photo 8 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)