National Schools B Div Rugby final: ACS(I) capture title in intense final eight minutes

SINGAPORE – They had already caused a huge upset in the National B Division Rugby Championship by eliminating tournament favourites St Andrew’s Secondary School in the semi-finals earlier this month.

And on Wednesday afternoon in the championship final held at the MOE (Evans) Stadium, Raffles Institution’s (RI) underdog story very nearly had its fairy-tale ending.

Holding a slender 12-11 lead over reigning champions Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), RI were just eight minutes away from securing their seventh ‘B’ division rugby title.

Alas, it was not to be as ACS(I) capitalised on a lapse in concentration to score a try on the counter before sealing the 25-12 win with another try in the final minute.

Yet, the fact that ACS (I) had to dig in deep to steal victory away from RI was a surprise considering how the defending champions started the match so brightly.

They took an 8-0 lead into the break after a try from Matthew Lim and a penalty from Aran Willetts.

But a determined RI side flew out of the blocks after half-time and scored two tries, and a conversion, in quick succession to take the lead. In between the tries, Willets scored yet another penalty for ACS(I) to reduce the deficit.

But with just eight minutes left, a careless turnover by RI proved decisive as ACS(I) broke away to score through Finan Siow.

ACS(I) captain Lam Weixuan then score the winning try in the final minute.

ACS(I) coach Adrian Chong said his players’ composure and unwavering belief in their abilities as the key factors for their come-from-behind victory.

“I thought it was a good final, both teams stuck to their task really well, but at the end I think our composure and belief won us the final,” said Chong. 

“The boys dug deep...being 11-12 down in the final with eight minutes to go, it takes a lot of resolve and guts to overturn the score and win the match.”

Added Weixuan: “We narrowly lost the ‘C’ Division title two years back so it feels like redemption for us. 

“I thought the final minutes were really intense, but we were somehow able to pull through. We never gave up, and I think the decisive factor for us was that we were united as a team. That helped us cross the finish line.”

RI coach Mark Lee said he was proud of his players for giving everything they got and coming close to securing the victory.

“We wanted to put on a good show,” said Lee, 39. “We wanted to compete well against ACS(I). 

“My boys gave it a good crack, and I’m really proud of their performance. Not just them, but the entire ecosystem that we created with the teaching staff, the old boys who came down to help, the coaches, supporters and even the parents…all of these elements came together to help us reach the final and I think this journey is something for all of us, not just the players, to relish.”