GSR Week 1: Bucks signal intent with home win against RSC

photo by Emil Halim

14 February 2011

by Wang Shao Ing

Mother nature emerged the winner in the opening match of the Guinness Singapore Rugby Women's XV 2011 between Blacks A and Bedok Kings Skyllas as their first meeting in six months was abandoned after lightning threatened the close affair just after the half.

The encounter looked to be a tight one as the game remained scoreless until the 35th minute when Blacks A drove over the line following a series of penalties conceded by the Skyllas.

Blacks A might have edged Bedok Kings on possession and opportunities in attack which they failed to finish but play on both sides was lack luster and ridden with handling errors and penalties. Based on the regulations, this match will have to be replayed and Blacks A will no doubt look to improve their lineouts and decision making in the backline whilst the Skyllas need to find a way of playing the game out of their own half.

By some ethereal design, the rain cleared up in time for the for the Bucks and RSC encounter to the delight of the supporters. Pinned in their own half, the Dingoes were under immense pressure for sustained periods in the first half but were saved by their boot and Haslinda Mohd Salleh who kept her team in the game by robbing Bucks of possession at the lineout.

However, Bucks were not to be denied for long as Rebecca Lewis punished RSC for their indiscipline with a penalty goal. Credit must go to the Bucks pack, led by Andrea Koh, a tireless battering ram for her club all afternoon, were tenacious in general play and dominant in the scrums. This gave their backs a great platform to launch their attack but the Bucks backs were unable to capitalize on this as the handling errors and failure to straighten up saw them being driven out the sidelines and for all their efforts Bucks were only up three points in the first half.

With Lewis switching from second to first receiver after the break, Bucks began to stretch the RSC defence and convert their pressure into points. It was Amirah Amy who had impressed with her clean deliveries and control during the entire game who scored the first try and in the next ten minutes Nayantara Roy had also put the ball down for her side.

Thereafter RSC sorted their scrum and put up a valiant defence and even made a few forays into the Bucks half but were let down by their own handling errors and foiled by Bucks cover defence. It was Lewis who sealed the deal with her own try before full time with the score at 22-0.

The result puts Bucks first in the standings for now and take on Blacks on 17 February whilst Bedok Kings will have to contend with RSC on their home ground in Kuala Lumpur. Blacks A will complete a gruelling week with their third game in a span of 10 days on 20 February against Blacks B.

Related Links:

Match Statistics - Week 1

Pictures by Emil Halim on Facebook