Story and pictures by Les Tan
CCAB, Monday, May 5, 2008 – The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) beat Raffles Junior College 17-13 this afternoon in the semi-final of the National A Division Rugby Championship in a game that showed the scoring threat of ACS(I).
Raffles fired themselves up at the start with their haka rendition, and while the rest of the ACS(I) team linked up to stare down, Blandon Tan (#13) of ACS saw fit to stand apart from his teammates, at one point turning his back on the RJC team as he adjusted his scrum cap.
Perhaps that was a reflection of the confidence in the ACS team as captain Bryan Wong scored the first try as early as the 4th minute to put ACS 5-0 up. Blandon converted the try to make it 7-0. The momentum of the game then swung the way of Raffles as the guys in green and black laid siege on the ACS half, threatening and probing the ACS defense line. At one point, RJC supporters cheered what they thought was a try but the referee did not deem it a try and it was not given, much to their dismay. That sustained period of Raffles pressure finally yielded a penalty and three points but no more.
Leading 7-3, the reply from ACS to the three points given up was another try by Bryan Wong to make it 12-3 which was not converted. By this point, it was clear that the ACS team were capable of crisp passing movement and their fullbacks were a handful for the Raffles team.
The half-time whistle gave RJC time to regroup and both sets of supporters were impatient for the restart, partly due to the fact that they had to endure an emcee who announced the wrong scoreline for the earlier semi-final, all the time mangling the English language while tossing some prizes for answering inane questions.
When the second half resumed, it was all Raffles from the whistle. ACS did not get a sniff of Raffles territory for a long, sustained period while the RJC boys just camped in their half. The pressure eventually paid off with a try by a Raffles forward Christopher Fang which was unconverted even though it was from a favourable angle and distance. Raffles now trailed 8-12 and it was game on.
The answer from ACS was swift in timing and execution. Joshua Rene Jeyaraj found enough space on the right wing to squeeze through for a try. Blandon missed the conversion from a tight angle but ACS now led 17-8.
And still it was not over. Raffles continued their fight, never giving up and continued attacking. They finally made ACS pay for their defensive mistakes when their forward Ashvin Raju (#14) went over for a try to make it 13-17. They were now only a try down with ten minutes to go.
Both teams were still up for the battle in the final moments and a drop kick attempt from 15m out by an ACS player hit the left upright. As time wound down and with their supporters willing them on, neither team could put any more points on the board. When the final whistle went, there were no ecstatic celebrations from the ACS team while in the Raffles camp, heads hung low for a bit, but no one slumped defeated to the ground. This is the first year since 1989 that RJC will not contest an A Division Championship final.
Said ACS(I) Coach Adrian Chong after the game: “We showed that we can score tries from anywhere. We have a good balance between backs and forwards.”
“I think they played well. They gave us a good fight,” said ACS(I) captain Bryan Wong on RJC. “Kudos to them for fighting back from 12-3 to 17-13. I think they displayed the true rugby spirit with their undying passion and fire which is very much commendable. We came into the game fully aware that Raffles were strong so we expected a tight game, and this is what we got. We gave our 100% and weren’t affected much about the scoreline; we played to the best of our abilities knowing our potential. However, it was testing of our faith both amongst our team mates and in God. During the last few minutes of the game, we were only leading by a mere 17-13 and that meant that a try scored by Raffles would seal the win for them. Despite this, we held firm to our beliefs and gave our all in the last moments, and by God’s grace, we pulled through with the win.”
ACS(I) will now face St Andrew’s Junior College in the final next Monday, May 12, at the Padang. Game time is 4:30 p.m. (as indicated in the comments section).
Ed’s note: If you recognise the players, feel free to leave their names in the comments section. More pictures in the gallery.
Talking on this blog is totally different to playing the game.
Ask those players what they feel about punches, they’ll probably tell you thats the way the game is. You take some, you give some. At the end of the game, we shake hands and forget about. Theres a lot more punching, stamping in the rucks, mauls and scrums (most of which arent noticed by the ref). But that is what any contact sports is all about. If you cant heck it, dont play it.
I am not trying to get a reaction here or anything but the game is over, why ramble abt punches?
Lets talk about other more important topics…tactics and players, combined schools potentials, national team selection… promoting the sport in schools which dont do so well, how do the top schools train their players..etc
two years from now, no one will remember the punches, everyone remembers the winners and how they won.
and please, like i really give a care about who i aggravate here? i dont even know any of you. 🙂
anyway, this debate can go on forever on pointless issues, but congrats to acs… lets hope for a great final.
As a spectator from rj, I wish to say that both sides played well and it was an exciting match to watch.
Fair play or not, the ruggers from both sides did well anyway, you have to give them the credit for putting their utmost effort in the game. But after hearing insults thrown between the ac crowd and the rj crowd, I was irritated, because these people were out to ruin the game- i heard an rj supporter hurtling insults at the ac crowd, and even saw an ac parent standing and shouting back at the rj crowd.
Yes, there might be a few individuals from rj who might have angered the ac parents, but these parents have not reflected maturity by hurtling insults such as “28th you are a disgrace!” at the rj crowd, directed the the councilors. It was inappropriate.
It might seem pretty normal to see this taking place in sporting events, but at the end of the day, we have to leave the fight to the sportsmen out there playing in the field, this is the least we as supporters can do to respect them.
As for the finals and fight for third, may the best teams win.
Hi Les n Mrs Les
I know, am just having fun here. Must say you hv done a marvellous job with this site.
Chinese saying : ” da ren bu ji xiao ren guo ”
It takes a wise momma to know the heart of another. Cheers to her and well done for having 3 BLESSED INHERITANCE.
GOD BLESS U ALL AND HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO YOUR WIFE
hello rugbymomX, : )
I think SA old boy was just trying to give you a friendly jibe in any case to see if he could get a reaction. At least that’s the impression I got anyway.
Anyway, my wife and I had a good laugh reading your reaction. She actually understood what you were writing about with regards to the fontanelle. I hadn’t a clue. But then again, she is the one who bore three boys. So she KNOWS these things.
She’s a momma too!
God bless our mommas. And happy mother’s day to you.
photo 5’s actually kevin neo of rjc tackling the whoever guy that is. 100 percent. he the only one wearing that nike golden/white boots. and poh you kai wears skins.
Hi Les, thanks
LOL………..LOL…………LOL………….LOL…………LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
U made my day, i m laughing hysterically.
Do u really think d ‘old sa boy’ knows respect (and to sAy sorry ) when he messes with someone’s mama, who knows much more than just cooking.
he got d wrong target!
cheers les
to sa,
sorry no one saw ” a acs taking a high shot at an rj player off the ball at the ruck “. But the whole stadium saw some rj players boxing some ACSI players few occasions, including their own supporters. Rafflesrugby had spoken.
Think its all nicely captured on video. maybe can use it for citing.
U need an invite to watch it?
And anyone knows whooo is d guy from SA spewing nonsense?
Hmmm….i wonder y d ref and 2 linesmen didnt see!
To old sa boy:
Now you’ve done it. You gone and messed with someone’s mama.
She gonna sit on your head and squeeze the life out of you til you say, “Sorry momma! I won’t do that again, momma!”
LOL
to rafflesrugby,
Alas, a true impartial Raffles gentleman had spoken. Thank you!
Sigh….ACSI too had a disallowed try. And from where we were standing, it looked perfectly legitimate. certainly looks like another one for the ‘list of bad calls against ASCI’ ALL THESE YEARS!
with the first try having been knocked on
i was at the game and right at tryline. from what i noticed, the first try raffles try wasnt legitimate while the second try was.
amen to your comments acs old boy and conspiracy
i am disappointed with our boys from rjc. they showed unsportsman-like conduct with their punching and off-the-ball fouls. cheers to acsi for keeping a cool head.
That failed try by Chris sure looks like a try. Looks like another one for the “list of bad calls against Raffles”.
To SA:
Small ()()()()()() dont talk world!
SA talk like they own rugby.
gees no wonder you guys cannot get along with anyone. I see the greatest camaraderie amongst old rafflesian and ACSians rugby players. They are the true gentlemen of the sport.
To Old SA Boy
Quote
There are more than punches that go on in rugby, in fact, in any sport. If sports people can handle the heat, then stick to playing something like Chess / Scrabble.
Thats just the way contact sports go. UnQuote
Well said, can you let your SAJC prop, Carlos (ex-SJI) know that?,..he can testify to this. He started punching, no doubt, when ACS(i) retaliated, he cried foul. sigh,..sweet cheeks he has, doesnt he 🙂
BTW, respect moms here,. is that what they taught you in your school?
did anyone see a acs taking a high shot at an rj player off the ball at the ruck? and who was the guy with the mohawk from acs. he was disgusting. but no use saying all this. all’s done and it was a good game it was very entertaining from the stands. SAINTS WILL WIN THE FINALS!
‘old sa boy’ : little wonder why u still a ‘boy’.
If i am not mistaken, your principal Belinda Charles seemingly advocates fair play and sportsmanship, ( i hope that includes no punches thrown in.) she ought to be flustered knowing at least one of her ex-charges feels that such and more are par for the course in sports. If so, i then wonder why many out there are accusing ACS of rough play.
Distinguish between. whats par for the course and whats viscious and meditated.
And for your advice, sorry cant heed from one whose fontanelle probably hasnt fused.
Incidently, i cant just stick to cooking for my boy alone, i cooked some for the SAJC players 3 weeks ago when they played on our grounds. They were appreciative.
Perhaps, you ought to stick more to your English and Ethics classes. It will get you further in life.
Please DONT trifle with moms here , i am sure you were raised by one.
though not from any of the two schools, i have to admit that the referee was pretty partial to acs in the second semifinal