Contributed by reader “neighbourhood jc rugby fan”

CCAB, Friday, May 2, 2008 – Catholic Junior College beat Pioneer Junior College 10-3 in the semi-final of the National Rugby Plate Championship. For the second time in as many days the team in blue, CJC, emerged victors over the team in red, PJC. This time, the game was rugby instead of soccer.

Both teams came into the match with something to prove with CJC out to make it to the final for another shot at winning the Plate championship which they last won in 2005. For PJC, winners of the 2006 Plate championship, it was to make up for the narrow defeat by JJC at the same stage of the tournament last year.

The weather was a scorching 36 degrees at kick off and both teams were almost evenly match in terms of pack strength and speed of the three-quarters. CJC pressured PJC in the early stages of the first half and good solid defending by PJC saw the tide turn against CJC. A penalty was awarded to PJC at about the 20th minute of the first half. PJC opted to put the first points on the board and the kicker made no mistake from the mark to give PJC a 3-0 lead.

CJC continued to pile the pressure on PJC and just when it seemed that PJC would go into half time with a 3-point lead, CJC were awarded a penalty and they equalised with a well-placed kick.

With the score tied at 3-3, the second half promised to be a real cliffhanger. Both teams were seen huddling at half time and their coaches were giving out last-minute instructions even as the teams took their places on the field. The second half was just as tight as the first and it seemed it would be decided in extra time.

10 minutes into the second half, CJC capitalised on the space on the right flank and ran the ball in for a try just between the goal-posts. The kicker converted the try and CJC were now in the driver’s seat leading 10-3. PJC refused to be written off and continued to pressure CJC. For the last 10 minutes of the game, PJC were virtually encamped in the CJC 22m area. CJC defended well and there were a few close calls right on the CJC try line. CJC eventually held on for a 10-3 victory and booked a place in the Plate finals against Jurong Junior College while PJC have to content themselves with playing out the 3rd and 4th place game against Nanyang Junior College.

Both sides played fantastic rugby and it was a game that would have been worthy of a championship final. The players from both sides demonstrated tremendous sportsmanship and respect for their opponents. In the end, the most touching moment of the match was when the PJC coach/teacher-in-charge went around comforting his
players. This match brought out the positive side of schoolboy rugby from both teams and it showed that teams from outside the Top 4 were just as capable of playing entertaining rugby.

To the coach of PJC, I salute his passion for the game and one could see how well-respected he was by his students. To CJC, good luck for the Finals. To PJC, you’ll come back stronger than before because rugby is all about passion and heart.