Singapore miss 2nd in Asia by inches

5 June 2008

by Wang Shao Ing

Singapore came close to stealing a shock win against Japan in the first of the semi-final play-offs in the ARFU Women's XV Championships 2008.

Japan were the first on the score board through a try in the corner by blind-wing Naoko Hasabe in the third minute but Singapore responded swiftly with a fine run by winger, Clarissa Lim, levelling the points to 5-5.

Both sides held their defences until the 23rd minute when Japan put open-wing Marie Yamaguchi through for a try which was converted by Hasbe. Japan scored once again though a clever kick just before half time through prop, Sayaka Yamamoto.

Singapore came back strongly in the second half and Japan were unable to sustain many phases of attack against them. Blind-side flank, Karen Yeoh who had come on after half time was dilligent in helping to marshall the fowards in defence as No.8, Ang Weiyi, Singapore's tireless workhorse tackled, rucked and covered.

Singapore made their way into the Japanese 22m area and Wang Shao Ing scored Singapore's second try through a solid collective forwards effort from a tap penalty just fifteen minutes into the second half.

The Singapore side came close to equalising when full-back, Eunice Tay, who's kicking game was in fine form nearly put out center Derelyn Chua in for a third try. Chua who made a charging run from blind, caught Tay's cross-kick on the bounce but just stepped outside the line.

With one more converted try to level the score, Singapore were relentless in their pick and go game and their possession was marked by the last 15 minutes of the game as Singapore camped out in Japan's 22m and thrice coming to within a mere inch of the try line. However, even the spectators who had by now been cheering for the plucky side, could not help Singapore convert their pressure into points and the game ended 17-10.

Singapore had last played Japan (7-20) at the 2007 ARFU Women's XV Championships in Kunming.

In the other semi-final play-off, Uzebekistan were beaten 64-3 by Kazakhstan. Hong Kong, who had earlier conceded their semi-final spot to Uzbekistan, beat Kyrgyzstan 34-0 in the 5th and 6th play-offs.

Women's Rugby Review: Historic Win for Singapore

Team against Japan:

Forwards
1. Tan Sze Yin
2. Gina Tan
3. Lee Tao Jing
4. Ailei Tandean
5. Annabel Woo
6. Berni Ong
7. Wang Shao-Ing (Captain) (1 try)
8. Ang Weiyi

Backs
9. Tan Hui Juan
10. Wong Yilin
11. Angela Zheng
12. Serena Yeoh
13. Derelyn Chua
14. Clarissa Lim (1 try)
15. Eunice Tay (V.Captain)

Substitutions
16. Nur Azurah Bte Mohd Khalid
17. Sabrina Lim
18. Karen Yeoh
19. Priscilla Humphries
20. Leung Wai Mun
21. Sophie Gollifer