Story by reader Roving Rugby Reporter

Temasek Polytechnic, Thursday, July 24, 2008 – Defending champions Singapore Polytechnic (SP) are favourites to retain their POL-ITE Rugby Championship title after their 12-5 win over the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). In another game, Temasek Polytechnic (TP) beat Republic Polytechnic (RP) 32-0.

In the first match of round 3, defending champions SP needed to give their best to beat a determined ITE side 12-5 with ITE earning another bonus point after losing by less than 7 points. The match was played with intensity, with both teams very physical. SP earned this victory with their defence, which denied ITE many opportunities to score to leave ITE disappointed after their second consecutive loss by less than 7 points.

In the second match of the day, a very impressive TP side recorded yet another bonus point victory with a 32-0 win over an RP side who were labeled the dark horses of this tournament. Before the match, everyone was talking about how RP could surprise TP, but this died down once the match got on the way. TP scoring an impressive 6 tries and conceded none. Their forwards were too strong for the RP forwards, and their backline runners were running all over their opposite numbers. Huge hits by TP were the order of the day, as they meted out crunching tackles and many strong hands-off on their opponents. TP are looking very dangerous heading into their final match on Monday, July 28, and SP will need to be at their extraordinary best to stop this rampaging TP side.