Story by Les Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

B division rugby 2011

Harvey Mercado (ACS(I) #8) goes over for the first try. (Photo 1 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

CCAB, Monday, March 14, 2011 — Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) showed they are the firm favourites for the title when they saw off St Andrew’s Secondary 25-10 in the first round of the National B Division Rugby Championship.

The win, their fifth in a row, gives ACS(I) sole possession of first place in Group A and a perfect 5-0 win-loss record. Saints now have a 4-1 record and both teams are through to the semi-final round. The top four of the group qualify for the semi-finals.

ACS(I) led 17-0 at half-time and scored four tries and a penalty in the game. St Andrew’s scoring came in the second half, with a Naresh Kunasegaran (#15) penalty and a late Adriel Toh (#2) converted try.

“We controlled the middle part of the game well even though they (Saints) had a lot of possession in the second half,” said ACS(I) coach Adrian Chong. “We were disciplined and the boys kept their defensive line.”

“The forwards gave a commanding and disciplined performance today and the backs kept to the the simple things well. Overall, I’m happy with the result and we have a good chance to top the group.”

Sustained ACS(I) pressure in the first half left Saints breathless as the Dover-based school went 7-0 ahead through a Harvey Mercado (#8) try. Sebastian Seow (#10) kicked the conversion.

ACS(I) then went 12-0 ahead with a second try by Barry Aun Jie (#2) that was not converted.

ACS(I) then missed out on a third when they fumbled just at the try line but Hilman Iskandar (#9) made good with his attempt to give ACS(I) a comfortable 17-0 half-time lead.

St Andrew’s though came alive In the second half as they pinned ACS(I) down in their half, giving their supporters in the crowd something to cheer about. Sustained Saints pressure saw them drive to the 5m line but they then botched a lineout.

Undeterred, Saints continued camping in the ACS(I) half and finally earned a penalty which captain Naresh Kunasageran (#15) converted to make it 3-17.

With the Saints still laying siege to their try line, ACS(I) then made a double change, with their coach sending on their #1 and #18 to replace their #7 and #30.

Saints got to the 5m line again but the ACS(I) defensive line held out. Opting to take a penalty, Naresh (#15) attempted from a tight angle on the right flank but missed and the score remained unchanged.

With the half looking it would go Saints’ way, the momentum suddenly shifted in ACS(I)’s favour when captain Samuel Teo (#12) broke free from inside his half. He tore through the Saints defensive line and made it to the final third of the Saints’ half before he was hauled down.

ACS(I) then won a penalty and Sebastian Seow’s (#10) kick was good to give his team a 20-3 lead and take the steam out of the Saints charge. ACS(I) were now in the driving seat and Samuel Teo (#12) then went over for another try to make it 25-3.

A late Saints surge saw Adriel Toh (#2) go over for a try that Naresh (#15) converted but the final 25-10 victory belonged to ACS(I).

“ACS(I) were the better side today. Credit to them,” said Daniel Thiam, teacher-in-charge of rugby at St Andrew’s. “I’m happy with some of our players who started today. It was a good learning experience for them.”

Saints are due to play Raffles Institution next on Tuesday, March 22, 4.30pm, at Yio Chu Kang Stadium, while ACS(I) take on dark horses Greenridge Secondary on Thursday, March 24, 3.15pm, at CCAB.

Match Statistics
ACS(I) 25 St Andrew’s 10

Try Scorers
ACS(I)
Harvey Mercado (#8) – 1 try; Sebastian Seow (#10) conversion
Barry Aun Jie (#2) – 1
Hilman Iskandar (#9) – Samuel Teo (#12)
Sebastian Seow (#10) – 1 penalty

Saints
Adriel Toh (#2) – 1 try
Naresh Kunasegaran (#15) – 1 penalty

Group A Standings
National B Division Rugby Championship – fixtures and results

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