Contributed by reader Elliott Tan
Both teams engaging in a scrum. (Photo 1 courtesy of Elliott Tan)
CCAB, Thursday, May 13, 2010 – This year’s A Division rugby plate final was a close match indeed for Jurong Junior College and Millennia Institute. However, the JJ Cougars rose to the challenge to hold back the MI Titans, scoring a 5-0 win. Both teams had previously played out a 24-24 tie in the group stage.
MI’s strength was clear in the opening moments of the game, where they gave the JJC forwards a hard time. MI were relentless in retaining ball possession, securing rucks and even turning over JJC balls, keeping the JJC defence under pressure.
MI nearly scored close to the end of the half. A backline play saw Adli Mustafa (MI #15) drawing JJC’s winger Elliott Tan (JJC #14) away before passing to team mate Aaron Ang (MI #14) who went for the try. However, he hit the corner flag as JJC’s Hendy Ong (JJC #15) and Timothy Lim (JJC #6) took him out of the field with crunching tackles.
JJC’s defence held though, keeping MI firmly out of the try zone. Facing a solid wall of human defence, MI and a battered JJC defence had no choice but to end the first half with a 0-0 score.
At the start of the second half, it appeared that JJC had woken from the shock of the MI offence. They played their alternating forward backline play, putting MI on the defence.
However disaster struck around the middle of the second half. In the aftermath of a ruck, Timothy Lim (JJC #7) took a blow to the head before falling unconscious. Unresponsive, he had to be carried by stretcher off the pitch. At the same time, Lucas Wong (JJC #6) suffered a concussion and a bloody nose injury.
With both flankers out, Chua Xianpeng (JJC #20) returned to take one position. Darren Lee (JJC #23), went in to take the other position.
JJC’s Danial Adam (JJC #13) then ran the ball into the MI 22m line, continuing with a maul towards the try line, stopping just short of scoring. The JJC forwards secured the ruck fast, setting up a brilliant move for flyhalf, Koh Xian Wen (JJC #10) who then delivered a pass to Hendy Ong (JJC #15). Hendy proceeded to break the MI backline defence and scored the match winning try.
Slightly shaken, MI returned, determined to level the score. With 10 minutes left in the game, MI began a fierce offensive into the JJC half. However, the JJC defence remained unbreakable, managing to hold back MI inside the JJC 22m.
MI’s offence eventually appeared to become desperate, with repeated pick and gos simply hammering the JJC defence as they came close to the try line. Even when JJC regained possession, MI fought back, with Scott Joosa (MI #10) ripping the ball from a JJC player inside JJC’s own half. However, JJC defence proved impenetrable, and held on to the last minute.
When the final whistle blew, the JJC team erupted in celebration as they clinched the Plate Championship.
MI players trying to steal the ball away from JJC. (Photo 2 courtesy of Elliott Tan)
Timothy Lim (JJC #7) being stretchered off the pitch after being knocked unconscious. (Photo 3 courtesy of Elliott Tan)
A triumphant JJC team. (Photo 4 courtesy of Elliott Tan)
I was there at the match and I had to say that both school did fantastic. But I have to say that this article is a little one sided. M.I performance on that day were fantastic, have never watch them play like this before. Possession of the ball was on M.I most of the time and JJC was actually having difficulty breaking through M.I defense. M.I winning majority of the rucks and scrums, really amazed me seeing how much they have improve since the previous year’s A division when I was watching them playing. But during the second half, the referee made calls that seems to be favoring JJC (from my point of view from the side line) and they took the advantage and sneak pass M.I defense and score. If that didn’t happen JJC wouldn’t have score that try. Overall, I feel that M.I should have won.
I don’t think JJC scored the only try from any calls by the ref dude, I was there during the match. it was from quite a few phases of general play. yes, I agree that MI improved a hell lot, but I think both schools saw equal chance to win the finals. if u are implying that the ref was biased ( which I’m sure u aren’t), then I don’t think that’s very “sportsman-like” u know what I’m saying? the ref gave alot of calls against jjc too, just so u know. have a good day.
This year, JJ and MI were spectaclar. I am going to work very hard for next year to challenge these great teams.
lol. yeah, which school are you from?