RUGBY
National ‘A’ Division 3rd/4th placing game
St Andrew’s Junior College vs Anglo-Chinese Junior College
Monday, 21 May 2007 at CCAB
Story and pictures by Red Sports reader, Mr Wee Ban Bee, an ACS old boy. Thanks, Mr Wee!
Tim Han of ACJC (with ball) about to be hauled down by a tackler. (Photo 1 © Wee Ban Bee)
With the game tied 10-10 even after extra time, St Andrew’s Junior College (SAJC) were awarded the game against Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) having scored the first try in the game.
The team were evenly matched throughout the game. ACJC scored a penalty through Azmi at about the 10th minute. SAJC scored a try on the 25th minute of play but failed to convert. Half time score was 5 – 3 to SAJC.
ACJC scored a try starting with a blistering run by Andrew Yap for a good 50 metres before passing it to Ming Xia at the 22 to finish the try. With the conversion, ACJC led 10 -5. SAJC responded with a try later but failed to convert.
With the score at 10-10, the game went into extra time.
Both teams were fighting hard during extra time and a penalty was given to ACJC. Unfortunately from about 30 metres out, it was not converted and the game ended at 10 apiece.
However, after deliberation and checking with officials, the referee awarded the game to SAJC having scored the first try in the game.
Too bad for ACJC that the game had to end in such a way. I am also sure that SAJC did not want a win in this manner anyway but rules of the game have to be followed.
Both teams played well and tough on a hard pitch.
Scoring statistics (according to a Saint):
4.47pm SAJC 0 – 3 ACJC (penalty)
5.08 SAJC (1try) 5 – 3 ACJC
5.29 SAJC 5 – 10 ACJC (1 try, 1 penalty, 1 conversion)
5.36 SAJC (2 tries) 10 – 10 ACJC
Shahir of ACJC finds himself stuck to Abel Teo of SAJC. (Photo 2 © Wee Ban Bee)
Jeremy Low of SAJC wins the line out for his team. (Photo 3 © Wee Ban Bee)
SAJC team pile on the pressure in the scrum. (Photo 4 © Wee Ban Bee)
Tim Han of ACJC lift-tackles Abel Teo of SAJC. (Photo 5 © Wee Ban Bee)
Shahir of ACJC receives the ball while Daniel Chua of SAJC tries to haul him down. (Photo 6 © Wee Ban Bee)
Andrew Yap of ACJC in full flight while pursued by an SAJC player. (Photo 7 © Wee Ban Bee)
JD of ACJC tries to barge his way through a defensive tackle by Jesse Quek of SAJC. (Photo 7 © Wee Ban Bee)
the decision is riduculous,shame on the ref,even if there is such a ruling,the ref should have let both teams know before extra time that even if it stayed level after extra time,sa would have won having scored the first try,but i believe the ref did not mention anything about it and we all thought that it wud go down to kicks to settle the game.if ac would have known the scenario,they would have played thier cards differently in extra time knowing they have to score in extra time.bu ac have no idea about it and this is unfair towards acjc.but then again, no one wants acjc to win.
from the match i also could see the ref was trying so hard to pinalise acjc at every play and tryin to disrupt every of acjc’s play. sa was caught offside a million times i think but the ref was too busy tryin to pinalise acjc that he forgot to look at sa.this is very shameful.unforgivable.
saint1862, i dont think that is a very fair comment. while sa might have scored twice, that does not equate them to being better, plus u were not even there. i shall not comment on who was the better team considering the match is over and it will change nothing.
acs supporter, i do understand where you are coming from, though i think it wasnt a decision solely based on the ref. perhaps more knowledgeable ppl would like to comment if such is the normal practice for the rugby a div nationals(never heard of such a situation before)
all in all i think it was a disappointing end to such a closely intense and passionate match. again, not commenting and who should have won, but how the game should have been won (definitely not on who scores first)
umm, there is a need for extra time because it was a draw at full time and only in extra time can the deadlock be broken? moreover the rule only applies after extra time, and it was not the ref’s decision, it is a ruling, although im not fully backing the ruling.
the ref’s call was just very very strange.if it was going to turn out that way,why the need for extra time?acjc did not deserve to lose that way,they put up a good fight and in the end did not get anything.the ref should seriously think about the call he made.
i also do not think its fair to suggest or imply a conspiracy by highlighting that the convenors are st andrews sec. they have been the convenors since i can remember and i think they have done a very good job. however, i also think it unfair to say that saints were the better team just because they scored the first try or scored more tries, with my analysis of how the better team was determined the winner in my previous message.
i honestly think that the rule isnt a great one, if i had lost by that rule, i would also be dissatisfied. however, a loss is a loss and if i had lost by that rule, i would take it in my stride and take it from here. moreover, from a neutral perspective, both teams were evenly matched, with the saints forwards powering over their counterparts and the ac backline reigning supreme with their pace and experience. however, saints had played the better game, using their strength to their advantage and containing the ac backs for most part of the game. desire was shown by both sides and basically the side which played more like a team deserved and had come away with the win. the saints functioned more like a team than acjc, which very much relied on individual flair of their players.
even if we dun see who scored a try 1st. ACJC was obviously the beaten by the better team, SAJC socred 2 tries while ACJC only scored 1.
i mean Singapore Police Force.
and though the National School Rugby Convenor is St Andrew’s Sec and the rugby SUB-committee is headed by SAS Principal (if i’m not wrong)… the sub-committee is also made up of people from other schools and every decision is made when the committee agrees and the Main Committee approves (if i’m not wrong) and the Main Committee for the A-Division Police Cup so-happen is the National Police Force.
the committee decided on this ruling as normal extra time for rugby was 10minutes but for this game, they were already given 20minutes extra time and neither side manage to score a try…
Schools that are not happy with such a ruling should make their views heard and suggest a better solution, at the Post-mortem meeting for the sport. Many rules and rulings, for many sports, have been changed to ensure a fairer and better competitive climate over the years.
The main point to remember is that for all inter -school competitions, the Technical Org committee comprising teacher reps from participating schools, decides the format, fixtures,rules and regulations…the A to Z of the whole competition. Nothing as important as how to end a stalemate in a S-Final match, 3rd/4th placing match or a Final, can be decided impromptu at the field of play. It should have been agreed upon in black and white earlier.
Red Coach DYip
First, my Congratulations to both teams for playing such an exciting game right down to the last second in extra time. Then what happens in such a situation as the score was tied 10 all?
It all depends on what was agreed on and previously decided by the TECHNICAL SUB-COMMITTEE whose decision must be approved and accepted by the MAIN COMMITTEE organising National Schools’ Rugby.
So, it is not an international rule as such but a decision agreed to by all involved ( But I’m not certain this was done or not. Only way to confirm is to check with the Nat School Rugby Convenor which happens to be St Andrews Sec ).
Personally, I would not support such a ruling to end such a stalemate. It reminds me of “the toss of a coin”, in the old days to settle a tie, after extra time, to decide the winner…even at International level in Soccer. This approach has since been abrogated. It also leaves everyone “hanging”
with a feeling of unfinished business still.
Red Coach DYip
Congrat Saints.
Hard luck ACJC. Keep your head up. Saints did not beat you. You were not beaten. You lost by a STRANGE rule.
In normal circumstance the game should continue until one team score or be decided by penalty kicks. Both team may even be declared joint Third.
If there was such a rule, it should be removed immediately. This STRANGE rule is not helpful for the promotion of Rugby. Very silly rule. Whoever thought of this rule must not be a Rugby player. No way to lose a game in this manner. What is comeback for if the first team to score in normal time win.
acjc players:
1st pic-tim han
2nd-shahir
5th-tim han lift tackling
6th-shahir-7th-andrew yap
8th-JD
and the acjc player who scored the try is ming xia not meng xiang.
close fight between the two, although i agree with josh.t. anybody can clarify if the ruling was correct considering the circumstaces?
i know the acjc players were definitley preparing for penalty kicks
i am happy that SAINTS won the game, but i must say that ACJC fought well too.
Good job, SAINTS!
Nice coverage Mr Wee!
Could not make it down due to work commitments but I am astonished that there were not penalty kicks.
Is there such a ruling to award the game to the team which scores the first try?
Good Job Saints!
The match was played at CCAB.
2nd and 5th pic Saint Rugger is Abel Teo
4.47pm SAJC 0 ACJC (3 penalty)
5.08 SAJC 5 (1try) ACJC 3
5.29 SAJC 5 ACJC 10 (1 try, 1 penalty, 1 conversion)
5.36 SAJC 10 ( 2 tries) ACJC 10