SP ORTS
Rugby
Convenor: Henry Winter | Article by: Christopher Ellis
The victorious Lions team. The team remains the only one in the Club with their own brewery. Possibly the last photo of DJ’s golden mane.
SCC LIONS END YEAR ON A HIGH DESPITE APPARENT ‘DISCIPLINARY CHALLENGES’ The final match of the decade for the SCC Rugby Section took place on the Padang between SCC Lions and Bedok 3s in conditions that reminded some of the players more of the English season than rugby in the tropics.
Bedok saw the game end a few minutes early at 41-12 to the SCC Lions. Clearly a few things to work on for the Lions but in the end a comfortable win and a chance to enjoy a few weeks off.
After a frustrating defeat to Oldham at the last outing for the Lions, the opportunity to squeeze in a last game before the mid-season break was a welcome chance to focus on clearing up some of the issues that have let them down so far this season. Having played many of the matches with 14 or even 13 men this season, working on the penalty count was a big focus that match day captain Shane Dewar highlighted numerous times in his various pre match team talks. The match started well for the Lions with back row Faris Fateen sliding over the line after some strong work from a dominant pack. However, Shane’s strong Aussie accent and repeated talk of penalties was not well understood by many of the team and the penalty count quickly started to rise. Ten minutes after scoring the first try Faris found himself staring at the Lions’ first yellow of the match. With this Bedok got back into the game and got themselves over the try line to take a 7-5 lead. A bit of frustration crept into the Lion’s games resulting in fly half Roy Tong receiving the teams second yellow card and leaving just 13 men on the pitch. A quick reshuffle in the backs brought Glen Dobbie in to Fly Half and tries by Brayan Nyoman and James Richardson meant Lions led at half time 17-7. Half time saw stern words from Head Coach Bryan Lim on the penalty count with Harresh nodding along in agreement. The kick off saw a lively start from the Lions resulting Dan Williams sniping through a gap to score under the posts. Further tries from James Richardson, Adrian Chia and debutant Alex Vandrome put the Lions firmly in control of the score line but the match remained a physical contest. On 60 minutes a brief period of handbags resulted in a Bedok player stumbling over himself, as James Richardson made his size felt by making loud noises. Incredibly poor James Richardson was shown a yellow card. It is likely no one will ever really know what happened. A late try for the SCC by Brandon Ng followed by a consolation for
From top, clockwise: Lions coach Bryan Lim tries to justify non-compliant coaching attire with section stalwart Matt Head. Local rugby personality Bryan Lim and posh watch entrepreneur Roy Tong always have discreet security nearby. Despite unusually forgiving conditions, being finely tuned athletes, the Lions players partake in ritual downing of high quality sport beverages.
JAN / FEB 2020 THE PADANG
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