By Les Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim and Marvin Lowe/Red Sports
Ng Chun Long of ACS(I) goes over for what turns out to be the winning try in the 8-7 victory. (Photo 1 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Old Police Academy, Monday, April 12, 2010 – Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) eked out a hard-fought 8-7 victory over St Andrew’s Secondary to wrestle back the B Division Rugby Championship title they lost last year.
A James Morgan (ACS(I) #8) penalty gave the Dover Road school a 3-0 lead nine minutes into the game as a usually fluid ACS(I) team struggled to find their rhythm against their first serious opposition in the championship.
A late hit by Khor Jia Jun (SA #8) elicited a collective “Aaaah!!” from the crowd and it was no surprise when referee Harry Mason pulled out the yellow to flash it at the Saints forward to leave the boys in blue and white with only 14 men on the field.
With the man advantage, ACS(I) threatened and came close to scoring their first try of the game. James Morgan had another penalty opportunity but this time he put the ball to the right of the posts.
The Saints #14 tried to run it out but soon got his team into all sorts of trouble as he fumbled the ball, allowing ACS(I) to recover it. However, ACS(I) could not press home the advantage just a metre from the try line and a penalty call against them ended that drive.
A long punt upfield by the Saints was dropped by the ACS(I) fullback Samuel Teo, giving the initiative back to the Saints from a good field position. A period of sustained St Andrew’s pressure soon followed and although they had a chance to kick a penalty, the Saints opted to kick it out to touch. From the ensuing play, the Saints had another penalty but their attacking momentum was doused by a timely Morgan tackle on the Saints ball carrier.
The ACS(I) supporters thought their team was off the hook but Saints came back again, and this time with a try. The referee called ACS(I) on a scrum infringement and from the free-kick, the Saints forward brought the ball forward before Bryan Chong (SA #5) outran the ACS(I) line to score the first try, the first points ACS(I) conceded in the entire championship.
Naresh (SA #11) kicked a successful conversion from wide out to give the Saints a 7-3 lead. This was a huge psychological lift for the defending champions, coming as it did just before the half-time whistle and with a man down.
Buoyed by their lead, the Saints had the first significant attack in the second half when a handling error by ACS(I) gave Saints hope of a second try but Khor Jia Jun (SA #8) fumbled.
A flowing ACS(I) move down the right ended with the ACS(I) winger falling into a crowd of Saints supporters. Some unpleasantness between the players and fans forced the referees to stop the game for a good few minutes as they had to move the supporters back a safe enough distance before they were happy enough to allow the game to go on.
ACS(I) finally got the winning try in the 49th minute. From a scrum in the Saints’ half, James Morgan (ACS #8) brought the ball left. He held off a tackler and passed it out to a teammate who offloaded to scrumhalf Ng Chun Lung who went over for an 8-7 ACS(I) lead.
The drama did not end there.
Both sets of supporters then held their collective breath when St Andrew’s had the perfect opportunity to grab the lead back with a penalty right in front of the goalposts. As a hush descended on the pitch, David Daniel (SA #11) ran up to take the kick but he scythed the ball way wide of the right post, leaving the Saints in agony. ACS(I) were let off the hook.
But the was still enough time for one final St Andrew’s assault. A series of drives saw the Saints get to within a metre of the try line but the ACS(I) line held. That would prove the closest the Saints would come to turning the game around and the final whistle called time on an absorbing contest between the two best B Division rugby school teams in Singapore.
ACS(I) head coach Adrian Chong was proud of his boys.
“I would say the boys played the best game of the whole season. They were very controlled. They did exactly what we planned for. We worked very hard at catching all the kicks and kicking it back and I think that made a difference. They were trying to exploit all the kicks at us. I think our back three did fantastically well today,” said coach Adrian.
“I feel for the first time in the whole season, they really played like a team that believed that they can win. It was real character to see them fight back and hold until the last play. So I think they showed champions credentials for doing that,” added coach Adrian.
Immediately after the final whistle, a scuffle broke out between the players, causing some supporters to rush onto the field. Cooler, mature and older heads from both the ACS(I) and St Andrew’s side pulled the two sides apart and it was all over as quickly as it started.
Shafiq Zulazmi, a National University of Singapore undergraduate and rugby player, saw the incident unfold and intervened.
“Upon seeing the punch by the Saints player, the ACS old boys rushed onto the field to prevent any further harm on the ACS boy and to prevent the melee from developing into a free for all,” said Shafiq.
“Such an act does not belong on the rugby field. Hooligan behaviour from the young lad. I think it raises the issue of whether schools are teaching their boys just about the many facets of sport – winning, losing, respecting your opponent – or just about winning, failing which one resorts to punching or other forms of thuggery. I was involved in school sports for six years from 1998 to 2003 and had never seen such scenes during that period,” said Shafiq.
In 2006, in a game between ACS(I) and St Joseph’s Institution, an ACS(I) rugger bit an SJI opponent. The ACS(I) player was subsequently banned from the rest of the championship.
The win gives ACS(I) their 10th B Division title while St Andrew’s have 18 B titles to their name since the championship started in 1971.
Since 1997, the B Division championship has been won by either ACS(I) or St Andrew’s.
N.B. A partial story was first posted Monday, April 12, 2010 and now re-posted with full story and photos.
Naresh of St Andrew’s in a desperate attempt to stop Ng Chun Long of ACS(I) … (Photo 2 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
… Chun Long’s forward momentum is too great … (Photo 3 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
… and he goes over for the winning try. (Photo 4 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Chun Long’s teammate rushes in to celebrate while the St Andrew’s supporters in the background are dismayed. (Photo 5 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
An ACS(I) player get dumped into the Saints’ spectator section. The unpleasant scenes that ensued forced the referees to stop the game for a few minutes to force the crowd to move further back. (Photo 6 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
A Saints player tackles an ACS(I) opponent. (Photo 7 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)
Go to next page for more photos
I am a neutral party. I think the incident was all about lack of graciousness in victory. We were brought up (at least during my time) to win (or lose) graciously, to console the defeated team and be overall, a good sport. I think Leonard’s remarks are totally out of line. He is not a gracious winner. For Daniel, while he should not have resorted to violence, he was provoked and in the heat of game and thereafter, he was already saddened and the last thing a person in that situation wants is to be taunted. Would Leonard wish to be taunted if his team lost? Belinda Charles did a good job, in my view, of handling the situation. As for ACSI, do you care to make some comments particularly on why Leonard was so unsporting in victory and what else, if any, did your player said.
I do have to say it was wrong of Leonard to say “go back to ITE” but in truth, the guy that beat him up was from ITE. And he got back into SAS because his rugby was good.
Also, Leonard DID NOT insult anyones mother so please get concrete evidence before you say such a thing. Even if he did insult the SA boy, the SA boy should not have used violence to retaliate.
SA has been many past cases of beating up others and stuff so I don’t see how the principal has done a good job by punishing the boy because it seems like there is no end to these type of things happening.
And about ACSI keeping quiet about this issue, it is because MOE instructed them to do so and not because they are trying to avoid the issue. Just today,the papers reported that Leonard’s mother had filed a police case against the boy. I really don’t think its over reacting. Seriously, what won’t you do to protect your child especially when your child is beaten up till the point his teeth are bent? Actually maybe only if the police step in then this case can be resolved fairly.
whatever the outcome is,
ACSI FTW
The boy who punched Leonard wee was not from ITE. He was a secondary 5 student who stayed in the sch through his results.
How would you know that Leonard did or did not insult his mother? Were u at the scene?They should settle this in private and should not let anything or anyone interfere. You also have no right to insult ITE. Everyone in ITE would feel insulted as well. Would u like the students from ITE to find Leonard wee and gt him into more trouble?? Next time. Think before you talk..
mary wee, mother of leonard has over reacted to this situation. it wasn’t toattly daniel’s fault as he was most probably provoked.
even though mary wee has the rights to be concern, let the boys resolve their differences with help from their school. she was not an eye witness of the brawl, making a police report just deepens the feud between both schools.
daniel tan had already received his punishment by being suspended and more. isn’t it enough?
relax people.
its settled.
Has anyone read the papers? This incident generates comic episode after comic episode. Nevermind the comments on this blog which gives the impression that the vast majority of you are desperate to come across as more annoying than Gary Neville, or absolute naivety of Belinda Charles – take a look at the AC boy’s mother, Mary Wee, who after filing a police report, had the cheek to say
‘We hope Leonard learns much from this recent episode and quickly recovers from it. I also counselled him to extend forgiveness and compassion.’
And apparently, telling someone to go back to ITE is defensible!
Next time I’m at the wrong end of a bit of sporting argy-bargy because i told them to ‘go back to ITE’ I will also file a police report out of forgiveness and compassion. Seriously, I can’t believe how many people out there are so eager to look like human genitalia.
Dahlan
you should go to ITE too LoL
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled one is truly vanquished.
Peace.
I feel sadden when students of such a young age throw fists to settle minor disputes.
I would like to clarify that I do not take sides but am just giving an objective view on this incident. Having said that, it is a fact that was published in the newspapers that SAS rugby players are well known for their atrocities and lousy sportsmanship. If you notice, most of the bully cases in SAS are mainly due to their rugby students dated since early 2000.
If the head of schools aren’t going to put a lid on these incidents from happening, I shudder to wonder what would happen to our future young adults.
I can’t say I’m totally neutral, because from what I read from the news, it seemed that ACS(I) was being favoured. No pictures of the SA boys being punched and such.
Furthermore, good sportsmanship? I know people who actually witnessed the ACS(I) boy insulting the SA boy was was kneeling on the ground because he lost.
If the ACS(I) boy was any kind of sportsman he would have said “good game” instead of making unnecessary derogatory remarks.
The SA boy was of course at fault for retaliating violently, but it wasn’t his fault so many people joined in and escalated the incident.
Coupled with the grief of losing by one point and the fact that the ACS(I) boy insulted him, it’s no wonder he retaliated.
Let’s stop attacking the SA boy for his mistake.
And we shouldn’t forget about sportsmanship and fair play.
Personally i think that unless you guys are directly involved in this issue none of you have the right to comment on the schools specifically…
Just because ACS chose not to or was advised not to go to the press and SAS chose otherwise, does not mean that ACS is not doing anything. In fact, from what I know, they are indeed working hand in hand with the ministry and SAS.
Both boys, Leonard and the chap who punched him are to be blamed……but it is one think to insult and one thing to take physical action. Yes, even if Leonard provoked him (and do not state the insult unless you are 100% sure of what Leonard said) and even if Leonard was wrong to do so (which he was)…retaliating violently is in no way comparable. And anyway, from what i know…there was no comment about his mother whatsoever. You have to look at things in perspective.
1) a lot of different parties are under various constraints in this situation…just because nothing is said doesn’t mean nothing is denied or nothing is done. No school has the obligation to tell anyone of you anything…it’s their bloody business. If the violence in the game, or the unsportsman like behaviour bothers you and you want to comment…fine. But don’t comment on specific people or specific students if you don’t have the first-hand information.
2) Let the relevant authorities sort it out. From a neutral POV, I think that ACS had done fine choosing not to comment yet. It’s not important what you think…but how the schools resolve the issue among themselves. It’s not like the press has been leaving ACS alone…and thus, are being bias.
3) There were so many witnesses. SO many people will say so many things. Leave the decision to God. What has happened has already happened. What will happen is in His hands…and not in any of yours. I’ve heard from friends that ACS has even addressed the issue with their entire student body and the principal has been emphasising the learning point of sportsmanship to all his students.
4) Let me remind you that both schools are mission schools. Do not just tag that to ACS. And SAS is not a neighbourhood school either so do not put down people for no reason.
Thank you for your comment. It is truly appreciated. Cheers. (:
I don’t know where you people get your information from, but ACS(I) isn’t confronting the student because he didn’t do anything wrong. He’s got a clean track record and is known for being mild mannered.
Where did you get the information about the ACS(I) player ‘hurling insults’ from? The SAS people right? Obviously the boy who punched him isn’t intelligent enough to realise that violence will get him nowhere, so now he’s trying to push the blame over to ACS.
Also, the reason that ACS(I) is keeping quiet is because they’ve been told to do so by MOE. SAS are the ones blowing up unsubstantiated stories to the media in a desperate attempt to defend THEIR student so that he’s spared the wrath of the law. So user food4thought, kindly rethink what you’ve said. ACS players didn’t fight back. In fact, the saints had the cheek to assault innocent ACS students at the bus stop later on, leaving one with a broken nose.
Please, get your facts right before you come out in public and make a fool of yourself. Give me concrete proof of what ACS player said, then I’ll give you some credit. We have photographic and videographic evidence against St Andrew’s. So that’s that. Till then, user food4thought and all you pious ‘saints’, learn to behave like gentlemen should and for your own good, keep your unwelcome speeches to yourselves.
ACS FOREVER.
To food4thought,
You ‘Saints’ better not go out into society. Anyone or anything that doesn’t come your way will be “must be ACS”. You are guys are a pathetic bunch.
but it seems like more people in the society who got no connections with ACS or SA prefer ACS less! This is in case you do not know, while you guys always think you’re an elite school.
Arrogance is what these people feel about ACS, and I believe everyone can judge for themselves based on your comment.
typical of “elite school”. you are never in the wrong.
i’m sure at this point all the readers already have their own viewpoints on the whole incident already.
by the way, other than SAS boys near the fight heard it, there were many neutral parties who heard and witnessed the whole incident right from the beginning. The best of all is that all their accounts does not contradict each other, that just shows that there is much TRUTH in it. ACS, i hate to say this, but you are a mission school, remember that and remember it well, you have a name to upload. TRUTH will always prevail.
Who in the right mind will assault someone within any reason?
By the way, St Andrew’s has already taken the first step to discipline the student and proposed to patch things up with ACSi, but somehow, ACSi have to yet to accept the whole proposal to mend the damage done…
we have statements from players, students, and old boys who show that the ACS(i) boy, did in fact hurl insults at the SAS boy who threw the punch. And the boy that threw the punch was decent enough to make a public apology infront of the whole school. Which shows that he was aware of what he was doing and regrets his mistake. He tried to make things right but the ACS(i) boy didnt want to. You also have no proof that it was a Saint that assualted those two boys at the bus stop. They were dressed in plain clothes and may not even have had any connections to the school whatsoever. So I think that if you want to post something and accuse someone of not having the right facts you should actually have the right facts yourself. And also the Saints were quick to admit that they were wrong and punished the boy immediatly, while ACS(i) was quick to deny the fact that their boy insulted the SAS boy. This just shows something about ACS(i)’s moral system.
It has been spotted that they were wearing saints clothings, particularly from a certain carnival. It is highly likely they were old boys of saints.
SAS is a mission school too, FYI.
Also, learn to condense all your comments into one instead of constantly reposting, it’s annoying.
Look, I never said and/or said anything about how we’re elite. It’s a fixed mindset that you people outside of the ACS family refuse to change. There will always be individuals that think themselves better than others. I am simply an advocate for justice and am standing up for what is right.
You said ‘who in their right mind would assault anyone within any reason’. That’s contradictory to what you’re saying throughout, that anyone wouldn’t assault anyone else without reason. Regardless of whether or not our player taunted the SAS player, the SAS player shouldn’t have reacted with a punch and/or violence should he? Think about it. You’d be pathetic in a court of law.
Next. ‘Other SAS boys near the fight heard it’. Who do you think they’ll stand up for? Us? I doubt it. Please be realistic, stop being naive and don’t believe everything that you hear.
Once again, the lack of acceptance of the proposal is due to MOE requesting that we keep quiet about the incident till further notice, or did you not read that? I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t though, given the continued naivity of your statements (multiple times).
You’ve also failed to address the fact that our students were assaulted by saints at the bus stop. What does this say? If you turn to us and point, saying ‘ACS is a mission school’, what more yourself? Take the log out of your own eye before pointing to the speck in ours.
This debate could go on for hours and you still won’t accept my points. I didn’t admit that we are wrong because we aren’t. Leonard is a good kid, and he didn’t deserve to be treated that way. I cannot say the same for the ruffians in SAS that you call students.
Regarding the issue of who likes which school better, let me put it to you this way. Why do you think so many people hate Manchester United? I’ll leave it at that, assuming you can figure it out, given your obviously limited interpretation and cognitive skills.
Seriously if you think that way that your problem man. IF you not even at yio chu kang to watch the game then you better keep your mouth shut then.
I was at yck on the track. Why don’t you shut my mouth?I’ll be trackside again this weekend.
What a week.
Even in today’s game – Singapore vs Malaysia – a Singapore player, fullback Zaki, was sent off for tripping.
Zaki is not just another rugger, he is on the SRU ( development ) staff. Maybe it was unintentional but then again, having played the game since he was a schoolboy, he should’ve known better. PLus, he coaches kids& that is not leading by example.
Maybe the union should sit down& do some revisions in regards to discipline. Also, in regards to refereeing, I think the pool of experienced ones ain’t wide enough so you’ll always get the same guys repeatedly. Harry’s a good referee..
on a good day that is.
Hi Lee,
I was at the game last night, and from where I was, it was a very strict call the Ref had to make as it was refered to by his touch judge.
Its hard to pin it that Zaki should have known better, as if you see the actual incident carefully, it was hard to tell if it was intentional at all. He went in with his whole body to prevent the try, and some how his feet got tangled.
I think its extremely unfair to say Zaki should have known better. This was clearly a case of strict referring as opposed to intentional foul play.
You Saints folks can talk the whole day long….the reporter is biased – must be ex-ACS, the photographer must be ex-ACS blah blah blah….but the pics speak volumes – a sucker punch followed by punching a fallen opponent… c’mon ….
I’m Proud of my home boys (AC guys) (: Congrats!!! (:..sad i wasn’t there though ):..haha
as a neutral party, i believe both sides are in fault. Although the SA player shouldn’t have puch Leonard, he and the other acsians were in fault too for hurling insults. That sparked a conflict between both parties. Although i’m curious why the media only portray acts of violent caused by sa players, i hope both schools can bury the hatchet and let bygones be bygones. Rugby is a ruffian sport played by gentleman, being a sport of organized violence , aggression should only be shown on the field in forms of tackle, rugging and mauling. Once the game is over, the losing team graciously accepts and the winning team do not rub it in. As fellow rugby fellows, we ought to adhere to the code of the game. this is my two cents worth
saints should have won. they are the true and well-deserving 2010 B final champions. no doubt about that.
i’m glad to see that the article in the Sports Section of today’s The Straits Times has finally shed some light into the whole truth of the whole incident, and that it has a taken a more neutral tone in contrast to the one-sided article yesterday.
In the report, it is made known that Saints have taken swift disciplinary actions against the boy involved, and did not shirk responsibility. What about ACS(Independent)?
Just a comparison of similar incidents in recent times and the respective response…
—
2006: ACS(Ind) player bit the ear of an SJI player while another ACS(Ind) player stomped the head of another SJI player
Response:
-Appropriate disciplinary actions were taken by the National Coverer committee who are made up of principals from 4 different schools and an advisor from MOE CCAB. The players were banned.
-SJI parents did not blow the matters up
-ACS(Ind) authorities attempted to defend the players and attempted to appealed to the committee. ACS(Ind) authorities were quoted as giving the excuse that “rugby is a rough game”. The appeal was rejected.
-No in-depth report on the media/press of disciplinary actions taken by the school itself.
—
2010: ACS(Barker Road) vs Bedok Town Secondary
Bedok Town Secondary players reportedly told their coach time and time again that they have been repeatedly punched during the game.
Their captain vomited thrice during half-time and was taken to hospital and admitted to ICU.
Response:
-Bedok Town declined to comment
-ACS(Barker Road) concluded investigations rather quickly and the school authorities claimed that the investigated “found no evidence of foul play”. So were Bedok Town players lying all the way throughout the game? then how did two of their players got seriously injured and admitted to hospital?
-Parents of the injured players did not blow the matters up before the media/press.
—
2010: Rugby Final fighting case
Response:
-SAS Principal immediately commented that disciplinary actions will be taken
-Press report today that appropriate disciplinary actions has been taken and the boy involved has apologised to the school
-Press did not report of any disciplinary actions taken against the ACS(Ind) player involved
-ACS(Ind) parents/staff blow the matter up on the press.
—
SAS is facing up to the responsibility of the conduct of its players. SAS action and promise of swift punishment (which have since been taken) are in stark contrast to both ACS(Ind) and ACS(Barker Road) continual denials of guilt in the previous incidents though evidences were clear in all three scenarios?
Readers, you decide! I do not blame ACS (Ind) or ACS (Barker Road) or SAS players for their negative conduct in rugby games, it is understandable. However, are the Schools handling the situations correctly?
Another question as food for thought: Why do rough matches with injuries always involves ACS rugby teams?
*convenor
While I’m here to clarify that I’m not from any of the involved schools, SAS, or “Saints” as they like to call themselves are actually Saints with the inverted commas mate.
I’m not saying that ACS(I) are not at fault but if you were to browse through the newspaper archives in 2000-2005 you will see multiple bullying cases in SAS, a few involving rugby students naturally, mostly resulting in severe injuries.
If you want to blame others, take a look at yourself in the mirror and you will realise that you will always need 2 hands to clap. And judging from the way and tone on your writing, I can easily say you’re a stuanch supporter of the “saints”.
It’s time to wake up from that dream and see the real SAS, and of course, it ain’t as pretty as it seems
Maybe we should all ask Leonard what exactly he said, which was probably insulting and provoked the saint player to throw a punch at him. i believe that the saint player wouldnt have thrown a punch at leonard if not for being provoked in the first place.
If Leonard or any other player was insulted, boys being boys, wouldn’t you all retaliate in the same way?
and we should stop pointing fingers who’s right or wrong cause ultimately both players are wrong in their way and both would receive the appropraite punishment which will be given by their own school.
let’s forgive and forget!
nice. ,
thanks for giving such a nice and just comment.
i play for club rugby in Singapore. So i jus came down to watch the B division rugby finals tis year. These are what I saw and think, please don’t be offended by what im going to say. From what i see in the match, there are punches thrown by both sides but the referee didn’t caught any. To me, it was a tough fight and Saints had a cold start. Acs(I) took advantage of the penalty that was awarded to them. But as the game goes on, Saints started to dominate the game. In the game, I spotted quite a number of foul play by Acs(I) like coming in from the side of the ruck, diving in to the ruck, improper binding in scrum, offside in rucks and mauls. Nonetheless, the referee didn’t called it. In my opinion, that made both the Saints players and supporters angry as I can see that the Saints’ supporters were shouting and jeering at the referee. And one more thing I noticed it about the 22 metre drop-out. I was standing at the side where the grand stand is. From what I observed, the Acs(I) player stepped on the dead-ball line. And the touch judge witnessed it too. I heard the touch judge telling the referee, using their communication set, that it was brought out by Acs(I). However, the referee called for the 22 metre drop-out as he thinks that the Acs(I) player has grounded the ball that has been kicked by a Saint into Acs(I)’s try area. Acs(I) deserve the try as i spotted a missed tackle by the Saints winger, if i’m not wrong he was the tall, nigerian fella. After the match, that was when everything goes wrong. I saw the Saints player was on his knees – dissappointed. It all started when the Acs(I) player approached the Saints player. I didn’t heard anything as the crowd was very loud. But what i am sure of is that the Acs(I) player was giggling and he punched the Saints player. His action caused the Saints player to retaliate which then broke in to a huge riot. If i was the Acs(I) player, i would have jus give my hand to pull him up and comfort him instead of throwing a punch at the Saints player as it is not worth for a winner to give a punch after a match. Due to Acs(I)’s punch and Saints’ retaliation, all the supporters came in to join in the brawl. I didn’t know about the Acs(I) students who were beaten up by some guys in cv until i read the news today. I’ve got no rights to say that the guys who beat up the students is a Saint as i got no evidence. They are jus believed to be a Saint. About the news that i read it today, i feel that the media is siding Acs(I) as they only put up a photo of the Acs(I) player who has got one broken tooth and a bloodied nose. There is also a Saints player who suffered from bloodied nose but there is no picture of the Saint who is injured. The media is like adding salt to the wound by being biased. In my opinion, it’s mostly the referee’s fault. Anyway, i really hope that SRU could re-enforce the rules to the referees in Singapore so that Singapore referees would be clearer with the rules of the game, and i also would appreciate it if SRU could appoint a better referee in the future finals to come to ensure a fair play by all teams. I also hope that there would be sportsmanship in all the matches that are going to be played in the years to come.
i like your comment. fair and just.
Yes, I totally agreed with you that it was one sided game and the referee should be blame for that incident. If the referee was having such a neutral & fair decision those such incident will not going to happen. Obviously as a spectator, I was very angry with the referee so did the other spectators but what can we say as the decision was being made by the referee.
I do hope in future such game being conducted by
professional referee who knows the rules of the games very well.
Since the SAS principal is taking action with their boy who did the punch, how about ACSI?? What action did they take to their boy who had insulted the SAS boy. Come on don’t think you are from the top school you can happily insulting people just because you know there will be no action taken against you and the media are on your side. So, where are the fair justice for those such behaviour ???
the attacked acs boy is currently on drip in the hospital so no actions will be taken against him YET. issues with his parent’s complaint and police report have to be settled first. i believe that he too will be suspended from rugby IMO…but if nothing is done against him then something is really wrong…
nice,
Your story has contradictions. Ouote :’I didn’t hear anything as the crowd was very loud. But what I am sure of is that the Acs(I) player was giggling and he punched the Saints player.’ You couldn’t hear anything but you were very sure and clear that the Acs(I) player was giggling? Further, you must be the only one in the whole field of a thousand players, spectators, supporters and officials, who saw the Acs(I) giving the first the punch to the Saints player on the ground. You are right; how and why would this be? ACS(I) won, and the Saints player was twice the size and on the ground. Wouldn’t it be easier to give him a kick? At least you don’t have to bent down to deliver the punch..
Photos are evidence. Allegations and claims without evidence are baseless. You shd not judge the ST as being biased. As a sportsman yourself, pls respect the referee; they too like you and I have a pair of eyes and ears. Citing what you saw and heard and then criticising, faulting and blaming the referee(s) for not doing a good job is both unfair and unproductive. Why don’t you become one yourself? Then, we shd all judge you on your performance.
leonard didn’t punch anyone on the ground, please get your facts right
“leonard didn’t punch anyone on the ground, please get your facts right”
but he hurled degrading insults at the SA boy about his mother and taunt him for losing and battled the SA boy’s face first.
Ed’s note: Comment edited. Please identify yourself in your next comment if you would like to rewrite it. We will not allow anonymous posters to refer to specific coaches from EITHER school by name. We appreciate that you may actually know the coaches you have mentioned but as you can imagine, in a public forum like this, naming them and then remaining anonymous yourself puts them in unnecessary difficulty. We trust you understand. Thanks.
he did not say anything about his mother FYI. Also, the taunting happened last year as well when saints won the finals. It was just that acs did not react to the insults. Thus, we can see how different the two schools are, hooligans vs gentleman.
It would be ideal if SRU could appoint a better referee and make it permanent for the finals throughtout the years! It would be fair and no biased refereeing at all!