3rd November 2007
Pictures on SRU Album
In a remarkable turnaround, Singapore ditched their loss to China in the boondocks and churned out a performance against a more experienced and larger Japan in the playoffs for the books. Japan, who lost to an even bigger Kazakstan in their pool showed just what they were made of by keeping their pool game score to just 10-6.
To deal with the formidable Japanese forwards, coach Gene Tong moved skipper Serena Yeoh into blindside flank with a deserving Haseena Allapitchay taking up the duties at inside center.
From the kickoff, Japan kept Singapore in their own half. Some poor tactical kicking allowed the Japanese to run more plays. The Singapore fowards held their own at the set pieces but some missed tackles and a slow reaction cost Singapore three tries in the 1st half and Japan led by 15 – 0 at half time.
Showing no signs of abating, Singapore piled on the pressure from the start of the second half. A bad clearance kick allowed Japan to score another try from a lineout move outside the Sinagpore 22m but Singapore was not to be disheartened.
Putting their bodies on the line, Singapore hassled the Japanese at every set piece and every breakdown. Japan seemed imprisoned in the midfield with red jerseys harrasing every play. In the 40th minute, openside flank, Wang took the quick tap penalty and offloaded it in a tackle to the calling standoff, Eunice Tay. The ball ran through a Allapitchay and outcenter Derelyen Chua before winger Jeslyn Lim broke for an 80m try under the sticks. Wang converted to take the scored to 7 -20
Japan nearly put another 5 points on the board before full time but a try-saving tackle from Chua caused the petite Japanese wing Yamaguchi to knock-on inside the try area. The final whistle blew to dejected Japanese side whilst Singapore celebrated a game well fought.
Forwards:
1. Azurah bte Mohd Khalid
2. Gina Tan
3. Lee Tao Jing
4. Ailei Tandean
5. Chen Jiahui
6. Serena Yeoh (Captain)
7. Wang Shao Ing (Pack Leader)
8. Ang Weiyi (A. Pack Leader)
Backs:
9. Tan Hui Juan (V-Captain)
10. Eunice Tay
11. Jeslyn Lim
12. Haseena Allapitchay
13. Derelyn Chua
14. Kristy Teh
15. Leung Waimun
Subs:
Priscilla Humphries
Karen Yeoh
Angela Zheng
Wong Yilin
See IRB Article & Tournament Report
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