Wang Shao Ing
Singapore came away Plate Winners in the Asia Pacific Women's 7s 2011 after a hard fought final against the Cook Islands in Borneo over the weekend. It was a remarkable turn around for the republic who had lost to the same team in the pool stages by the largest margin in their campaign and sweet revenge for the sudden death one-try defeat in last year's Plate Finals.
Pooled with Samoa, Hong Kong and the Cook Islands, Singapore had a slow start to the tournament with a 34-5 penalty-ridden loss to Cook Islanders in their first game notwithstanding a last-gasp try by Tan Hui Juan. The second pool game saw a better Singapore side which nearly edged Samoa in the 12-10 loss as Wong Yilin and Lim Li Yan got their names on the scoresheet. A 28-5 victory by Hong Kong in the final pool game placed Singapore at the bottom of their group which meant a cup quarterfinal play-off against China who topped the other pool comprising Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Tonga.
Singapore held a disciplined Chinese side well for the first few minutes of their knockout match on the second day of the tournament and even put in an early equalising try through Annabel Woo but the were unable to contain the pace and power of China who progressed to the Cup Semifinals after a 29-5 win. Singapore came through the plate semifinals and secured their place in the Plate finals with a 12 - 7 win over a considerably larger Tongan side.
The Cook Islands were the first to put points on the board in the Plate Finals after Singapore gave away a penalty in their half but the republic replied soon through Chloe Besanger and both sides went into the break 5 points a piece. Some resilient defending in the second half pressured the Cook Islanders into a loose pass which Wong Yilin picked up neatly to score and convert between the sticks to put her side 12-5 up. A Cook Islands break from the kickoff followed by a quickly taken penalty saw the Cook Islands score their second try of the match. With the score at a conversion apart, Singapore held fast to their guns to reverse the result of last year's Plate Finals and take the home the Plate for the Asia Pacific Women's 7s 2011.
A change in the tournament format means Singapore finish in 5th place compared to last year's 4th placing but Head Coach Danny Tauroa will be pleased with the progress made by his young charges over the course of the tournament. Only skipper Wang Shao-Ing and Tan Hui Juan featured in last year's finals and exposure to international rugby for many on the team should serve them well for the upcoming Asian 7s. Save for one change, Tauroa has elected to keep the team from Borneo for the Asian 7s which will be held in Pune, India from 1 to 2 October 2011.
Singapore Women's 7s Team for Asia 7s 2011
Chole Besanger (Bedok Kings), Lee Yi Tian (Bedok Kings), Christabelle Lim (Blacks RFC), Clarissa Lim (Blacks RFC), Lim Lee Lian (Blacks RFC), Lim Li Yan (Blacks RFC), Angelina Liu (Bedok Kings), Tan Hui Juan (Blacks RFC), Wang Shao Ing (Blacks RFC), Wong Yilin (Blacks RFC), Annabel Woo (Bedok Kings), Angela Zheng (Bedok Kings)
Management Team: Danny Tauroa (H.Coach), Simon Etheredge (A.Coach), Malcolm David (Team Manager), Heng Li Hoong (Sports Trainer)
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