Story by Zachary Foo/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck, Clara Yuan and Rebekah Abbott/Red Sports
ACS(I) players attempt to bring down an SAJC player. ACS(I) reclaimed the National A Division Rugby title with a final score of 12–3. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
Home Team Academy, Wednesday, May 14, 2014 — Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) [ACS(I)] vanquished their demons with a 12–3 win over defending champions St. Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC) in the final of the National A Division Rugby Championship.
The two schools last met in the 2013 semi-final and with different personnel, SAJC won 5–0. SAJC would go on to win the 2013 title.
Both teams were missing key players heading into the match, but their replacements stepped up in their absence to fill the void.
The first half was thoroughly dominated by SAJC in terms of possession. ACS(I) threatened to score immediately after the kickoff,as they gained possession of the ball close to the SAJC 22-yard line. However, they wasted their good work by conceding a penalty, which allowed SAJC to punt the ball to safety.
From that point, SAJC were able to keep the ball in their possession for most of the half. Their first opportunity to score came when Kelvin Yau (SAJC #13) elected to convert the penalty from 50 yards. However, his kick fell short of the posts. Kelvin (SAJC #13) would make amends later in the half, scoring a penalty to put SAJC up by three points.
ACS(I) had a couple of opportunities to score, as they push deep into SAJC territory. However, they conceded penalties in the breakdown, which handed the ball back to SAJC. SAJC went into the half-time break up 3–0.
Down three points at the half, ACS(I) came out seemingly more motivated in the second half. This was evident in the performance of their forward pack, as they were aggressive in their runs and drives into SAJC territory. Their efforts were duly rewarded when Anders Seah (ACS(I) #8) broke through the left flank to score the first try of the game. Michael Yee (ACS(I) #15) kicked the conversion, but his effort went wide of the mark.
After scoring the first try, the momentum was fully with ACS(I). Their forwards took advantage of their size to advance the ball deep into SAJC territory time and again. Each time SAJC got back possession of the ball, they were brought down quickly. This prevented SAJC from launching a coherent attack on ACS(I).
ACS(I)’s persistence paid off when captain Matthew Quek (#13) forced himself over the try line to extend ACS(I)’s lead to 10–3. Michael Yee (ACS(I) #15) then hit the conversion to put ACS(I) up 12–3.
ACS(I) were then able to wind the clock down, keeping SAJC at bay for the final 15 minutes to secure the title. This is their second win in three years. They last won the title in 2012.
ACS(I) captain, Matthew Quek (#13), said, “Very elated, but it was whole team game. It was the whole team, teachers and supporters that were integral to us succeeding today. As a team we learnt to grow stronger from defeat and it paid off with our first title ever. The passion that the guys showed in the game was also a decisive factor. The forwards were a big part of the game, but so were our backs. All the moves and variations are all based on these two parts of the game. The loss last year in the semi-final was a driving force for us and that showed in the match just now.”
ACS(I) vice-captain, Joshua Tan (#4), said, “It was absolutely amazing, as it was the first time our team has won in a 15-a-side tournament. The core of the team have been together for six years and it was amazing that we could still win despite the injury setbacks. It was discouraging to fall behind early on, but our coaches to us to keep our heads up and keep pushing. We kept the belief as a team together and the pack pushed really hard in the second half. We knew we had to keep possession for the team and perform well. It’s a good feeling just to win, regardless of against who. It has been a privilege to be part of this tournament and win.”
Scoring by Quarter
SAJC vs ACS(I)
1st Half: 3–0
2nd Half: 0–12 (3–12)
Try Scorers
SAJC
Kelvin Yau (#13) – 1 conversion
ACS(I)
Matthew Quek (#13) – 1 try
Anders Seah (#8) – 1 try
Michael Yee (#15) – 1 conversion
SAJC Roster
Andre Theodore Seah Qin Wei, Ryan Ong Tse Ting, Muhammad Asyraf B Sukor, Joel Chua Mingyi, Matthew Lim Wei Li, Lucas Lim Zhe Hao, Samuel Koh Giap Yang, Jeromy Chua Kai Ching, Colin Loh Xing Bao, Derek Ng Kok Heng, Muhammad Farhan B Hazri, Zechary Koh Kai, Kelvin Yau Yu Hang, Adley Goh Jun-Hui, Kon Fu Yuan, Kumaresh Haridas, Gowri Shankar Gokulan, Reuben Peh Jia Hao, Jonathan Lin Shengkai, Vickneshwaran S/O S. Supramaniam, Delvon Anand Jose Charles, Jotham Teo, John Steven Lee, Jeremy Hee Ting Kang, Gabriel Augustine Silva, Dedrick Lim Yong Yew, Gregory Png Wei Jie, Sean Lee Jun Wei
ACS(I) Roster
Daniel Goh (#1), Daryl Chan (#2), Alex Chia (#3), Joshua Tan (#4), Lloyd Ng (#5), Kyler Wong (#6), Isaiah Tan (#7), Anders Seah (#8), Arend Wong (#9), Darius Ng (#10), Richard Keim (#11), Joshua Chan (#12), Matthew Quek (#13), Liew Yu Qiang (#14), Michael Yee (#15), Matthias Soh (#16), Venkateswaran S/O Elangovan (#17), Jonathan Soepra (#18), Kenneth Forbes (#19), Zachary Tan (#20), Mikael Nunis (#21), Joby Ng (#22), Benedict Ong (#23), Justin Tan (#24), Tjoa Han Yang (#25), Gregory Ang (#26), Joel Lim (#27), Kanes (#28)
A Division Rugby Championship — Fixtures and Results
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