C Rugby 2009 Final: ACS (BR) vs ACS (I)

When ACS (Barker Road) coach Lincoln Tan told his charges last year that reaching the final of the 2009 C Division rugby tournament was the target he had set for them, the Barker Road boys did not think it was doable.

But they did not let their scepticisim get in the way. They got cracking and created ripples by actually achieving their coach's target of a spot in the finals. And it was by no stroke of luck either. They had to beat St Andrew's in the semifinal to claim a finals berth. And win they did when they handed Saints a 17-10 defeat.

Their final hurdle for the 21 September 2009 final at the CCAB - no other than ACS (I), who had chalked up convincing wins for their place in the final.

The teams had clashed in the past months with the encounters going ACS (I)'s way. One included a 69-0 thrashing in a pre-national schools friendly and another, a 53-17 defeat in a group match. But the last time both schools met in a C final was in 2001.

From the start of the game, the Barker Road boys worked the ball up and opened the scoring with a splendid 7th minute try by Howard Chan.
ACS (I) got back into the game, responding with two tries by Geoffrey Lee.

“Our backs broke through a few times and our forwards kept pushing. Both times when I saw an opening, I picked the ball and placed it down,” said Geoffrey.

First half ended with ACS (I) leading 10-5.

ACS (I) returned strongly after the break. In the 4th minute of the second half, Loh Eu Wen scored a try with Ngen Ge Liang sending the ball through the upright to take the score to 17-5.

ACS (BR)’s defence was kept busy but in the 17th minute of the second half, ACS (I) captain Samuel Teo warded off two hapless defenders for a spectacular try. ACS (I) led 22-5.

It seemed like it was going to be runaway victory for ACS (I).

But ACS (BR) was no longer the team which did not believe they could not make it to the final. They were a team which fought, literally, to the final whistle.

In the 26th minute of the second half, Maurice Lim scored a try to narrow ACS (BR)’s deficit to 22-10.

Then, when ACS (BR)’s Darryl Chan followed with another try 6 minutes later, the Barker Road camp erupted. ACS (BR) was just 7 points from equalising.

The game went into stoppage time, with ACS (BR) attempting to cross the try-line again. But the final whistle sounded with the score at 22-15, in ACS (I)’s favour.

Despite the tears, hugs and apologies that followed, the ACS (BR) boys were told by their coaches, teachers and old boys to walk with their heads held high for they had fought a good fight. The team had come a long way and had outdone themselves this season.

Said ACS (BR) captain Wesley Fong: “We played (the final) with a lot of heart and were really committed to the game. I’m really lucky to be the team captain.

"I felt we could have scored another try in the final minute but it didn’t happen. We will try harder next year.”

There is a tale behind the slick and unbeatable ACS (I) team too. Just a year ago, the current Year 2s lost twice to St Andrew’s in the Under-13 10-a-side tournament.

In the Christmas Cup which followed in December 2008, ACS (I)’s Year 2s were again defeated by Saints in the final.

It was clear that ACS(I)’s quest for its 13th consecutive C title was not going to be god-given. “We had to work very hard to close the gap,’’ said coach Adrian Chong.

And the coaches did it, together with the boys.

ACS (I) had given a good account of itself this season. The toughest match was when the two brother schools were pitted against each other in the final.

Said ACS (I) captain Samuel Teo of the match: “Barker played well. We gave them space and committed penalties which gave them a lot of ground. But I think we held our own in the last few minutes and pulled through.”

The Thanksgiving Dinner was a combined affair for the two Anglo-Chinese Schools - what a fitting way to end the season.