B Rugby 2010 Final: ACS(I) vs St. Andrew's

div>

div>

ACS(I) reclaimed the Police Cup by beating St. Andrew’s 8-7 at the final of the Schools’ National B Division Rugby Championship.

The ACSians took the lead in the 9th minute with a penalty kick by captain James Morgan.

ACS(I) continued to exert pressure in the Saints’ half for much of the first half.

However, it was the Saints who prevailed at the end of the first half.

A free-kick awarded to St. Andrew’s from a scrum infringement eventually led to a try by Bryan Chong.

Fullback K. Naresh’s conversion signalled the end of the first half.

Half-time score: St. Andrew’s 7 – ACS(I) 3.

Despite being down, the ACSians resumed play in the second half with composure.

In the 49th minute, ACS(I)’s Ng Chun Lung, sprinted to ground the ball on the left from a James Morgan pass.The conversion was unsuccessful but the ACSians led 8-7.

Saints had the opportunity to swing the match around in the 54th minute through an easy penalty right in front of the goal post but the ball was off target.

As the minutes ticked away, St. Andrew’s threatened to turn the game around. They attacked around the ACSian’s goal-line but ACS(I)’s defence did not buckle.

Full time score: ACS(I) 8 - St. Andrew’s 7.

The exciting hard-fought final was then marred by an assault on ACS(I)’s flanker, Leonard Wee by a St. Andrew’s player.

With the situation eventually under control, the ACSians celebrated their victory with tearful hugs.

Said ACS(I)’s vice-captain Marah Ishraf: “Both teams are evenly-match this year. Whoever plays better on match day wins.

"We played our best game today. In the second half, we overpowered Saints in our rucks and we made every tackle count.”

ACS(I)’s player of the season, captain James Morgan had played and tasted victory in three cup finals. But this victory meant the most to him as it was the most hard-fought.

Said James: “This final ended the way we wanted. We worked more as a unit this year compared to the B final last year. We handled the tension well this time round.

"Our forwards were very composed when defending our goal-line today. They won the final for us.”