Story by Jiexin Neo/Red Sports. Photos by Clara Yuan/Red Sports
Singapore players celebrating their win. (Photo 1 © Clara Yuan/Red Sports)
Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Sunday, June 7, 2015 — Singapore dominated Thailand 21–0 to claim bronze in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Rugby 7s tournament. Singapore had lost 10–14 to Thailand in the preliminaries to lose out on a place in the final, dashing their pre-Games gold medal hopes.
Philippines won the gold when they beat Malaysia 24–7 in the final.
Singapore started off strong, dominating possession in the first two minutes of the game. The hosts’ scoring opportunity came when Moehammad Marah (#8) went straight for the try, but was tackled inches away from the try line. He tossed the ball up to Samuel Teo (#10), who connected and dived for the try. Naresh Kunasegaran (#11) converted for the 7–0 lead.
Singapore gained possession again with Daniel Marc Chow (#4) starting off the offense. They strung together a few passes, but the final dash by Samuel (#10) was stopped by the Thais before he could cross the try line.
One minute to the end of the first half, a scrum was awarded to Singapore and they pushed towards the try line. Daniel Marc Chow (#4) managed to make it over the line for Singapore’s second try and Naresh (#11) followed up with a conversion (14–0).
Singapore started off strong in the second half, with Marah (#8) seizing possession of the ball to sprint right down the flank but he was eventually brought down by a Thai defender.
Thailand were close to breaking through for their first try, but the player was brought down by Muhammad Zaki (#5) at the halfway line.
With two minutes remaining, the Thais were desperate to score, but Singapore defended hard to pin them down. The hosts’ defence forced a turnover in the final minute and Ho Yi Shu (#3) took the ball and dashed up the field to the try line with one Thai defender breathing down his neck. Marah (#8) converted to make it 21–0.
In the final play, Bryan Ng (#12) intercepted a floating pass and went straight for the run before being pinned down by a defender. This sealed Singapore’s deserved 21–0 victory over Thailand to claim bronze.
Singapore captain Daniel said after their bronze medal win, “I was a bit disappointed in the morning (when they lost to Thailand in the preliminaries) but I’m glad the boys bounced back, and showed some character to win the bronze medal match convincingly.”
On their earlier loss to Thailand in the preliminaries, Daniel added, “We were pretty slow today at the start. I think the game was really tough in the morning because some of the refereeing decisions didn’t go our way. There were a lot of injuries as well, so the stoppages really killed our momentum but of course, no excuses, we had our chances and we didn’t really take them as well.”
Scoring by half
Singapore vs Thailand
1st half: 14–0
2nd half: 7–0 (21–0)
Scorers
Singapore
Samuel Teo (#10) – 1 try
Daniel Marc Chow (#4) – 1 try
Ho Yi Shu (#3) – 1 try
Naresh Kunasegaran (#11) – 2 conversions
Moehammad Marah (#8) – 1 conversion
Singapore roster
Blandon Tan (#1), Jonathan Lee (#2), Ho Yi Shu (#3), Daniel Marc Chow (#4), Muhammad Zaki (#5), Derek Chan (#6), Bryan Ng (#7), Marah Moehammad Hoessein Marah (#8), Max Ducourneau (#9), Samuel Teo (#10), Naresh Kunasegaran (#11), Nicholas Yau (#12)
Thailand roster
Thammaporn Sumet (#1), Sakulthianthong Wuttipong (#2), Thuengcharoen Satayu (#3), Boonpob Chaiwat (#4), Jiraroddachakul Supanutchai (#5), Yingcharoen Pichit (#6), Rotthuk Krittakon (#7), Mitrak Somsak (#8), Denlampai Naphan (#9), Kaewkhiao Wuttikorn (#10), Thiengtrong Sarayuth (#11), Plybua Pitpong (#12)
2015 SEA Games Rugby 7s – fixtures and results
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