By Adrian Tan/Red Sports
Lloyd Ng of ACS(I) smashes through. (Photo 1 © Adrian Tan/Red Sports)
CCAB, Thursday, August 11, 2011 — Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) edged out St Joseph’s Institution 22-21 to win their National C Division Rugby Championship semi-final.
The win sets up an all ACS encounter after ACS (Barker Road) had earlier stunned stunned tournament favourites Saint Andrew’s Secondary 20-8 to reach their first final since 2009.
ACS(I) had beaten SJI 52-0 in the preliminary round but this was clearly a different game. It was a tale of two halves with ACS(I) clearly dominant in the first. From the opening kickoff, they pinned SJI down in their 22 for a good 10 minutes of the game. SJI relieved the pressure when they kicked for touch from a penalty conceded by the lads in blue and gold.
Minutes later, it was ACS(I) who score first when their forward pack successfully drove over the try line. A successful conversion made the score 7-0.
Another try soon followed. A decisive run by Jeremy Toh of ACS(I) saw him score his first try that evening to give his team a 12-0 lead.
In the first major incident of the game some eight minutes from half time, the SJI # 5 was shown the yellow card for repeated offsides to leave his team with 14 men for the rest of the first half.
Thereafter, It was all ACS(I) with scrumhalf Kyler Wong’s turn next when he touched down for the third try, right in the SJI corner. At halftime, ACS(I) led 17-0.
During the break, SJI’s coaching staff could be heard spurring their charges on, telling them that they needed to want it more. In the other camp, ACS(I) coach Adrian Chong was warning his troops that the first 10 minutes in the second half would be crucial.
If SJI managed to get a quick try, that would put ACS(I) under a lot of pressure.
When play restarted, it was ACS(I) who further increased their lead when Jeremy Toh again showed his sprinting prowess to outpace the SJI backline, scoring in the corner to make it 22-0.
From then on, with 25 minutes left on the clock, SJI awoke from their slumber while ACS(I) fell asleep. The boys in green and white upped their pace and determination, forcing ACS(I) to retreat into a shell and wait for final whistle to blow.
The SJI lads attacked in waves, causing ACS(I) to commit numerous offsides and handling mistakes. SJI scored two tries in quick succession and the score soon read 14-22 with SJI still needing at least two more tries to nick the game.
With five minutes to go, the referee showed the yellow card to two ACS (I) players for repeated fouling, leaving their team to defend their now-precarious lead with only 13 men.
SJI roared on and but were constantly repelled by ACS(I) players throwing their bodies into the battle to prevent SJI from scoring, However, the numerical advantages inadvertently showed when SJI breached a gap in the ACS(I) defences to score their third try.
No sooner did SJI convert their try, the referee, who had a good game, blew for time. ACS(I) had held on to win by a single slender point, 22-21.
SJI have now reached two semi-finals this year in both the B and C Divisions, a reflection of the hard work that their coaches and players have put into their rugby teams. SJI fought tooth and nail and were good value for their top-four finishing in both divisions this year.
They will meet St Andrew’s in the 3rd and 4th placing match on Monday, August 15th, at Yio Chu Kang Stadium. Kick off is at 3pm
The meeting next week between both ACS schools, Independent and Barker, will see a rematch of the 2009 final. Both teams know each other well, having frequently sparred together in pre-season. It should prove to be a thriller of a match if the preliminary match played earlier in the season is anything to go by. Then, ACS(I) pulled the rabbit out of the hat with a try on virtually the last play of the game to win 20-15.
The match will be nothing short of a local derby between two fierce competitors. One can only look forward to that match in keen anticipation as ACS(I) attempt to complete the coveted Grand Slam of national schools rugby, having already secured the A and B Division titles earlier in the year. One wonders if Barker will have the last word in that quest.
The final is scheduled for Thursday, August 18th. Venue and timing are not confirmed.
National C Division Rugby Championship — full fixtures and results
Go to next page for more photos
The ref stopped time 6 mins early
ref was pretty biased..
A truly great match and a fantastic game of school rugby played at the highest level.
ACS(I) played well as usual but SJI responded admirably and perhaps even deserved to go through all the way to the finals if they had capitalised on their earlier chances.
ACS(I) probably knew how close it was towards the end as they desperately hanged on the single point that eventually separated the two teams. At the semi-final level, all teams should be treated with respect. SJI, the underdogs, has shown that they could comfortably take on the traditional rugby favourites with their great teamwork and never-say-die fighting spirit this
season.
We should see many more thrilling matches in the remaining ties and more seasons to come. For now, congrats to all the boys, coaches, parents and supporters for mastering yesterday’s match of the season!