By Koh Yizhe/Red Sports
Haziq jumps the highest to receive a throw in. (Photo 1 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Republic Polytechnic, Monday, October 19, 2009 - Despite a slow start, Republic Polytechnic (RP) comfortably beat Singapore Polytechnic (SP) 32-7 in their second match of the Polytechnic-Institute of Technical Education (POL-ITE) Rugby Championship.
"We stuck to our game plan," reflected No. 8 Alvin Ho after the match. "That is why we won the match. But we were a bit slow to start the match."
It took 17 minutes for RP to take the lead through Ian Zachariah after he was released down the left. Alvin Ho then took control of the match, powering his way past four SP players to score RP's second try. Alvin then added another before half time to give RP a 22-0 lead at the break.
RP continued to push for more after the restart and they were duly rewarded when Daryl Chia broke away from the defense to land a try.
SP were given a glimmer of hope when they scored a try towards the end of the match to make it 7-27, but Alvin Ho put the game to rest with his third try of the match and his sixth in the tournament.
"Shiok!" exclaimed Alvin Ho when asked how the felt about his six tries in two games. "It was definitely more than I expected as I was aiming for just two tries. We could have scored more, but I guess the distances was too far for him (Daryl Chia) when he took the kicks."
"We were too relaxed and allowed them to get the consolation try. It was definitely unnecessary and it could have been prevented," added Alvin.
RP face their toughest challenges against ITE and TP in the coming week.
“We just have to be clinical and stick to our game plan,” said Alvin. “Just don’t give away penalties in dangerous areas and we should be fine.”
An RP player gets taken down by his SP opponents. (Photo 2 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Samuel Yeo looks desperately around for support as an SP player tries to bring him down. (Photo 3 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Daryl Chia evades a challenge on his way to RP’s fourth try. His kicking wasn’t up to his usual high standards as he missed a few conversions. (Photo 4 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
RP’s No. 8 Alvin Ho breaks away from the defense … (Photo 5 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
… goes past one … (Photo 6 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
… before leaving the defense no chance of catching him … (Photo 7 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
… to score RP’s fifth try of the night. He has scored six tries in the tournament so far. (Photo 8 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Daryl Chia “flies” away from the trailing SP defense. (Photo 9 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
@KZ – Unfortunately the volunteer is very busy with school, but he is trying his best to put up the ITE vs RP story. We also have a story about the TP vs ITE game.
@truelove – yupp he will be there to cover the match. RP has to beat TP by more than 7 points if I am not wrong!
Yea true, no other games posted. Defending champions TP games not posted and have not heard of ITE as well. I’m gona watch the big game between RP and TP later. Redsports should definately cover this final game, it’s gona be exciting!
no posts about other schools..polite is not just about rp man.. what about the post on rp’s lost against ITE?
@kz: POL-ITE is covered by volunteers. Volunteers cover the games they like and the games they have time to attend.
If you would like to volunteer to write, just let us know.
If you have a story to share with readers, please send it in.
You send it, we post it.