B Div Rugby: ACS(I) and Saints play out 7-7 stalemate

Republic Polytechnic, Monday, February 27, 2012 — Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and St Andrew’s Secondary played out a 7-7 tie in the National B Division Rugby Championship.

The tie left both teams unbeaten and with identical 4-1-0 win-draw-loss records with ACS(I) still holding on to top spot in the group by virtue of a slightly better points difference. Both teams have met in the final of the last three B Division championships.

Saints had the better of the early running as they probed the ACS(I) defences. An ACS(I) mistake from a quick lineout after eight minutes of play saw Saints score the first try of the game. It was sweetly converted to give Saints a 7-0 lead.

ACS(I) came back strongly and were awarded a penalty midway through the second half. However, the penalty was dragged wide of the left post and the Saints took their 7-0 lead into the half-time break.

In the second half, ACS(I) increase their tempo as they looked to pull level. They did just that after eight minutes of the second half when number 8 man, Richard Keim, evaded a few tackles to score from a scrum 20 metres out. ACS(I) converted to tie the game at 7-7.

The game then saw a rash of penalties for both teams. Saints were awarded two but failed to convert them both. ACS(I) was then awarded one almost in front of the post with less than five minutes remaining but nerves too got the better of ACS(I) kicker, Ngen Geliang, as he pulled his relatively easy kick wide of the right post.

Chances to win the game went a-begging for both teams and 7-7 was the final result.

Both teams have two more matches to play before the semi-final stage in late March.

In another Group A game, ACS (Barker Road) beat Junyuan Secondary 57-0.

National B Division Rugby Championship — fixtures and results