NUS Women Win SR RP Tertiary 7s Tournament 2010

18 October 2010

by Wang Shao Ing

The Singapore Rugby Republic Polytechnic Tertiary 7s saw 9 men’s and women’s teams from SMU, NTU, RP, SP, SIM and NUS slug it out at Republic Polytechnic's Sports Complex for the Tertiary 7s Title

The women’s competition kicked off with NUS against the SMU Barbarians. SMU Barbas scored quickly through Edwina Shaddick from a penalty 5 meters out from the NUS try line and looked like they might upset NUS’s chances at the title as neither side made much ground over the ensuing 10 minutes. However some cunning running from Esther Tan allowed the NUS to equalize. With a two minutes left on the clock, Caslin Ong outran the opposition to put NUS in the win 12 -5.

In the next match, NTU wasted no time in ripping apart the RP defence and scored four of their seven tries within the first half with some serious pace from Amanda Teo, Teo Siew Huai and Bridgette Yeo. RP managed to breakaway in the second half to put in a try but it was too little too late for the hosts.

This next match between NUS and SMU was going to be pivotal for both sides as the round robin format of the tournament would favour the team which could pull out the stops at every match. NTU were the first with points on the board and NUS threatened to hit back through a break by scrum-half, Xie Ying, but a try-saving tackle in the try area by Teo Siew Huai prevented any such relief. The reprieve for NTU was short-lived as Esther Tan touched down for the equalizer off a scramble for the ball after a NTU put-in at the scrum.

NUS put up a commendable defensive display to shut down the NTU speed demons but struggled to get clean possession in attack as Lee Tao Jing wrecked all manner of counter-rucking havoc to the cheers of the crowd. However, NUS stuck to their guns and were rewarded with victory through Christabelle Lim as a prolonged period of defence gave way to indiscipline from NTU. It was the second hard-fought win in the day for NUS which was reflected in the 12-5 scoreline.

SMU Barbas then took on RP with relative ease trotting to a 43 - 0 win due in part to a disorganized RP defence but mostly thanks to some hard running by Samantha Teo, Chan Jiayu and Shaddick.

In the penultimate match of the women’s competition, NUS showed composure and confidence to put in six tries. RP scored with a consolation just before the final whistle but NUS had sealed the title and the MVP award which went to Esther Tan.

NTU and SMU Barbas’ final match of the day would decide the second and third placing and it started keenly as both sides tried to assert themselves but a few missed tackles allowed SMU Barbas to take the lead with two tries. NTU came back strongly were the first to score after half time but were unable to plug all the defensive gaps. SMU Barbas finished the game 20-7 to take second place.

Final Rankings: NUS (1st), SMU Barbas (2nd), NTU (3rd), RP (4th)