SECTI ONS
Rugby
Convenor: Jack Whiskin | Scribe: Jonathan Leow
BALI MEMORIAL GAMES
THE SEASON RETURNS – COACHING TEAM
The day after the Memorial Dinner, the Bali Memorial Games returned to Dempsey after a three-year absence to celebrate and remember the ones we lost in Bali twenty years ago.
After last kicking the ball in anger in 2019, the SCC Rugby Section will return to competitive 15-a-side rugby on 29 October as the 2022 – 2023 Singapore Rugby Union National League returns. A lot has changed during this time, including a new-look coaching team assembled to bring silverware to the Section cupboard at all grades this season.
Bright sunshine shone through as the SCC Academy played Tanglin Rugby Club, Centaurs Rugby, and Saints RFC across two age groups. The pure joy of playing the game resonated through Dempsey as games were played in the best of spirits. After preparing the ground suitably, the grizzled Over 50 vets kicked off the North Vs South Challenge with a sizzling display of running rugby in parts, officiated by Mr. Simon Flint, father of Section stalwart Sam Flint. Simon has made this event part of his calendar for several years, and the Section thanks him for coming from the United Kingdom annually. Singapore Rugby Legends from years of yore put on the boots for this special occasion, including some SCC Legends who travelled specifically for this year’s Dawn Memorial Service. The slightly younger and debatably slightly fitter Over 35 Vets were next as SCC hardman Simon Etheredge trekked from the New Zealand hills to lead the South against GCB Chair Sam Sharpe’s North. Some hard hits were on show, as Rugby emerged as the winner. The Under 14 girls from SCC Academy and Tanglin Rugby Club gave a sterling display of 7s rugby as beers were topped up and premium bacon rolls were purchased. The Open North vs South Challenge saw a who’s who of top talent from all clubs in Singapore. A great mix of familiar names and up-and-coming talent was on display, and it was a great display of running rugby with no quarter given in contact. Valu Ratubi rolled back the years as his South team led most of the first half. The North would not be denied, though, and Captain Ross Johnston’s North finished 32 – 27 winners over the South, led admirably by former Tankards Captain Jeremy Bird.
Matt Head will lead the 1st XV coaching team this season, with evergreen Casey Mee assisting from the sidelines in telling the backs where to go. Both Section stalwarts will look to bring home the elusive Premiership title this season, with many promising new players shining in the preseason. Newcomer to the Section Adrian Griffiths will lead the Tankards coaching team this season, pairing up with the youthful-looking multi-talented sportsman Bryan Lim. Adrian has an impressive CV, including representing England U18s and being capped more than 20 times for Hong Kong and has already made an impact with the forwards. The SCC Lions came very close to a title in 2019 and are looking to replicate the magic blend of experience and youthful talent with Jonathan Leow partnering with Patrick Duffy to steer the ship. JL has just realised he had played way beyond his best before the date and is looking forward to the new challenge of leading the Lions coaching team, building on the great work done in 2019 by Brian Lim. With pre-season completed, here’s to a memorable and hopefully successful season.
The weather was perfect all day, and as the sun set, a perfect tribute to those we lost 20 years ago continued to the Gilmour Terrace, where more stories were exchanged. A big thank you goes out to all those who made this day, especially after such a long absence, possible.
ALL IT TOOK WAS 120 YEARS, SCC TOURS KL While it has not taken 120 years for us to tour KL, it has been a while since the Rugby Section embarked on its annual pre-season tour to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was a little special this year as it would be a doubleheader against KL Tigers and our old friends, the Royal Selangor Club (RSC). The RSC historians discovered that it had been 120 years since the first game of rugby was played in Malaysia, between RSC and the SCC. Hence, over 50 tourists took to the road for an extravaganza day of rugby in Malaysia. Rugby was the winner that day, even as the SCC came second best on the scoreline in both games. A strong SCC Black faced the KL Tigers as the SCC Gold Team played against hosts RSC, who had put up a great show pre- and post-game. Unfortunately, it showed that the SCC were playing their first competitive 15s game in three years compared to the home sides, who are just off two seasons of league play. Bagpipers that would have made our resident Scots beam with pride, a biryani meal post-match, and a band for the ages were highlights for sure, as was the eight-hour debrief session on how we can do better for the season ahead. A great start to our first competitive season in three years, and a big thank you to RSC for the hospitality and more games to come.
From top: Convenor Jack with RSC Sports Chairman and RSC President; Dressed to impress in KL.
NOV / DEC 2022 THE PADANG
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