Rugby Sevens by Singapore Cricket Club

SINGAPORE CRICKET CLUB INTERNATIONAL

7s S I NGA P ORE IC CR

KET

C LU B

THE PADANG, SINGAPORE

www.sccrugbysevens.com

/TheSCC7s

SCC7s

@SCC7sreporter

CoNtEnT MESSAGES

2016 PHOTO GALLERY

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President, Singapore Cricket Club President, Singapore Rugby Union Chairman, SCC Games Control Board Co-Chairman, SCC Rugby 7s Organising Committee

Action on the Padang The Fairer Side of Rugby Kids and Mini Rugby The Fans Tournament Dinner

FEATURES 10 12 14 16 18 24 40

The Singapore Cricket Club Silverware Participating Teams / SCC Team Proﬁle Past Winners List 2016 R7s Report Behind the Whistle Acknowledgement

ORGANISING COMMITTEE Co-Chairmen Samuel Sharpe Marc Lansonneur Tom Monahan Treasurer Brian Varley Sponsorship Craig Mounsey Infrastructure Paul Crosby Ong Teams Raj Sankaran

SOCIETE GENERALE IS PROUDLY SUPPORTING RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 IN JAPAN

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Match Officials Matthew Oakley, MVO MBE General Committee Representative Jonathan Leow

SCC MANAGEMENT Marcom / Ticketing Harresh Krishnan

General Manager Alan Jones

Food & Beverage Stafford Bagot

Sports Janet Ng Wendy Foo Thipa Mogan Chan Rui Yang Eunicia Tan Rashed Miah

Medical / Physio Joy Walter Magazine / Schools & Colleges Shaneet Rai SCC Rugby Academy Richard Cook Sarah Finley

Finance Gow Hui Yian Doris Ng F&B & Events Chovin Blix Ong Audrey Wang

Volunteers Terrence Noe Chief Marshall Brendan Nolan

Marketing & Communications (Sponsorship Admin) Charlynn Kah Zac Chong

Marcom / Friends of 7s Peter Rogers

The SCC International Rugby 7s 2017 (70th Edition) magazine is published by SINGAPORE CRICKET CLUB Connaught Drive, Singapore 179681 T: +65 6338 9271 E: scc@scc.org.sg W: www.scc.org.sg www.sccrugbysevens.com

/TheSCC7s

@SCC7s

@SCC7sreporter

MCI (P) 058/10/2017 All information correct at time of print.

MeSsAgEs

Sher Baljit Singh President Singapore Cricket Club I am honoured to welcome all participating players, sponsors and supporters to Singapore Cricket Club’s International Rugby 7s Tournament 2017, 70th edition. Celebrating 70 years of world-class rugby action is no easy feat and this signature tournament has become an integral part of the rugby scene in Singapore. With so many outstanding teams gracing the Padang every year, it is a perfect avenue to fuel the passion for the sport and further develop it on our home ground. Spectators and competitors can expect an action-packed weekend of world-class rugby action at one of Asia’s premier sports and social clubs. Apart from the sporting spectacular happening on the ﬁeld, all are welcome to enjoy an excellent selection of food and beverages available over the weekend. I sincerely thank all of our distinguished sponsors who have given us their invaluable support over the years and have made it possible for the tournament to serve as a competitive training platform for all players. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Rugby 7s organising committee as well as the SCC Management who have worked tirelessly to pull together this marquee event. I would also like to thank the club at large, that whole heartedly supports the 7s. I wish everyone an enjoyable weekend as you cheer on your favourite teams and soak in the sporting action at the Padang. Best wishes to all teams!

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MeSsAgEs

Terrence Khoo President Singapore Rugby Union The Singapore Cricket Club Rugby 7s (SCC 7s) is a long-standing tournament now in its 70th year which is embedded in Singapore rugby culture and is one of the key rugby events on our calendar not to be missed. With the recent success of the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens and Super Rugby, Singapore is emerging as a rugby hub in Asia and the SCC 7s adds to this with world-class teams and high proďŹ le players competing. On behalf of Singapore Rugby Union, I would like to thank the organizing committee of the SCC 7s for the opportunity to pen a welcome message. To have not one but two iconic sevens events in Singapore is truly a testament to the passion and dedication all involved have in ensuring that such tournaments continue to ďŹ&#x201A;ourish and adapt in the changing times. In its 70th year, the SCC 7s has certainly established itself as an iconic elite club tournament with its signature location and vibrant party atmosphere. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Singapore Cricket Club for its pivotal contribution in fostering rugby in the region and also wish the tournament committee all the best on its 70th Anniversary.

MeSsAgEs

Matthew Streeton

ARE YOUR RETIREMENT PLANS ON THE RIGHT COURSE?

Chairman, Games Control Board Singapore Cricket Club We are proud to host the 70th edition of the Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s Tournament at the historic Padang from the 3rd to the 5th of November. Supporters and players alike can expect an action-packed weekend of world-class rugby action from many top teams around the globe at one of Asia’s premier sports and social clubs. I would like to express my gratitude to our distinguished sponsors whose support and generosity have aided in the tournament’s fruition this year. The SCC 7s Organising Committee as well as the SCC Management and staff have worked tirelessly and persistently to make possible a fantastic weekend of top-notch rugby action at the Padang. My thanks go also to Members of the Rugby Section for their invaluable assistance and commitment towards making this tournament a successful one.

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My best wishes to all teams and players. May the 70th edition of the Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s Tournament be a memorable one!

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DUSTIN YATES

MARK REEVE

Partner & Singapore Cricket Club Member

Partner

Tel: +65 9450 7596 Email: dustin.yates@sjpp.asia Website: www.sjpp.asia/dustinyates

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MeSsAgEs

Sam Sharpe Co-Chairman 2017 SCC Rugby 7s Organising Committee Now in its 70th year, the Singapore Cricket Club Rugby 7s tournament (SCC 7s) is one of the oldest invitational team sports events in Asia and the oldest rugby tournament in Singapore. Putting on a tournament of this size and importance is not an easy task and we are greatly indebted to the volunteers, sponsors and supporters that make this tournament happen. To see all this hard work and dedication come to fruition in three days of top quality rugby is a real privilege and it is with great pleasure that I and my fellow CoChairmen welcome you to the SCC International Rugby Sevens Tournament, 70th Edition. As the sport of Rugby Union grows in popularity, as it has in the past few years, it has been thrilling to see the development of rugby talent around the world and particularly in Asia. There are now more Rugby Sevens tournaments than ever before and more opportunities to watch the best teams play the game to unparalleled standards. But in a more crowded Sevens calendar, what makes this tournament stand out is its ties to the roots of the game. This tournament started out in 1947 as a competition among teams in Singapore and Malaysia and over the following decades it showcased the best in national and regional adult and school rugby. This tournament has not forgotten those roots. Over the weekend you will see some of the best international, regional and Singapore rugby teams with players of all ages at our tournament. There are few tournaments that can boast such depth. So, with that in mind, what’s in store? In the open competition we have tournament club stalwarts including Daveta, Palmyra, Tamariva, Cottesloe, Casurina Cougars and East Arnhem (among others), who will be up against some international talent including France, Papua New Guinea, Tribe

Sevens and yes, the Swedish Vikings. We also have the Hong Kong Barbarians, who will be joining the St James’ Barbarians (from Singapore) as fresh faces in the tournament. Last, but certainly not least, we have last year’s Plate winners, the Singapore Cricket Club, who will be looking to better that historic victory on their home ground. Coach Suhaimi Amran has been working hard with the squad and has, to all accounts, developed a ﬁnely tuned machine. This will be the team to watch! In the schools’ competition we’ve got Singapore school legends from the Anglo-Chinese Schools, Saint Andrew’s, Pierce Secondary and Rafﬂes as well as SJI, LFS, United World College and Tanglin Trust School all vying for silverware. Among the rugby academies, we’ve got our very own SCC Rugby Academy taking on Tanglin Rugby Club, Dragons, Centaurs and Titans (among others) in what always prove to be passionate encounters, for parents and players alike. It’s been a real pleasure and a privilege being involved in the organisation of this tournament this year and I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to the dedication and effort put in by everyone on the team. Some special mentions go to my fellow Co-Chairmen – Marc Lansonneur; Tom Monahan as well as Brian Varley, the tournament treasurer, who again has truly been a lynch pin in this operation; the SCC General Committee for their loyal support, including President Sher Baljit Singh, Deputy President Zoher Motiwalla, Chairman of the Games Control Board, Matthew Streeton and General Committee Representative, Jonathan Leow; everyone on the SCC 7s Committee; our loyal sponsors and last but not least the members of the SCC Rugby Section for their un-wavering support. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

THE SINGAPORE CRICKET CLUB

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS Between 1959 and the early 1970s, numerous cricket teams of Test or ﬁrst class standard visited Singapore and graced the Padang. The most notable of these were: • The Australian Test team to India and Pakistan in 1959 • The MCC team to New Zealand in 1961 • Ron Roberts’ Commonwealth XI in 1962 • E.W. Swanton’s Commonwealth XI in 1964 • Joe Lister’s International XI in 1968 • The MCC XI on its East African and East Asian tour in 1970 • The Indian and Pakistan Test teams returning from their tours of Australia in 1968 and 1972 respectively also visited Singapore. Unfortunately, their one-day ﬁxtures were washed out.

Established in 1852, the Singapore Cricket Club is today a premier sports and social club in Asia. It is the second oldest sports club in Singapore, junior by 10 years to the Singapore Sporting Club, now the Singapore Turf Club. The Club stands at the centre of the city’s colonial heart, a public space that has witnessed many of Singapore’s triumphs and defeats, upheavals, independence and the annual National Day Parades on 9 August. Cricket was played on the Padang as early as 1837 but it was not until 1852 that the ﬁrst meetings were called to discuss the formal establishment of a cricket club. There have been no fewer than three clubhouse buildings on the Padang, the ﬁrst erected some time in the 1860s, the second in 1877. The third pavilion, which forms the core of the present Clubhouse building, was built in 1884. It was extended in 1907 and the northern and southern wings that we see today were added in 1922.

It was not all cricket on the Padang. Football of both sorts, soccer and rugby, was established in Singapore in the 1880s, while an annual tennis tournament was initiated in 1875. Hockey arrived in 1892, considering that the rules of the game had been established in Britain only in 1849 and the English Hockey Association established only in 1886. Billiards was no doubt played at the Club, but it is seldom mentioned in existing records. Lawn bowls began at the Club in the 1870s and the tournaments were held regularly from 1898. On 15 February 1942, Singapore fell to the Japanese and the Club was closed for the duration of the war.

Seven-a-side rugby teams had competed for the Ablitt Cup since as long ago as the 1940s, but it was not until the 1980s that the SCC Rugby Sevens was expanded to become a truly international competition. ANNIVERSARIES AND THE FUTURE In 1992, the Club celebrated its 140th anniversary and organised various functions to raise funds for charity as part of the celebrations with the most memorable party held on the Padang on 30 October, which was graced by President and Mrs Wee.

In 1998, the New Zealand Rugby Sevens Commonwealth team featuring rugby legend Jonah Lomu visited the Club and played on the Padang. In the same year, Petone from New Zealand, featuring another Kiwi legend, Tana Umaga, won the Ablitt Cup at the Padang. The millennium year saw a complete re-turﬁng and repair of the Padang ﬁeld. In 2002, the Club celebrated its 150th anniversary. Among the event highlights that year was a charity golf match attended by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Mrs Goh and a gala dinner at the Padang on 5 October. A week later, on 12 October 2002, a terrorist bomb in Bali tragically killed eight Club Members who were visiting the island to represent the SCC in the annual Bali International Rugby 10s tournament. On 1 December 2003, a Special General Meeting of Members approved the most extensive Club renovation since 1922. Work was completed on 2 February 2007 and the Club held a dinner to celebrate the renovation with guest of honour Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who accepted the title of “Visitor”, making him the second recipient of that honorary title after Lee Kuan Yew in 1970. The SCC International Rugby Sevens continues to grow and attract some very strong teams. Whilst it had always been a club tournament, we have recently also invited national development squads. Teams such as France, South Africa and Australia saw the events as an ideal way of blooding their up and coming players. Last year’s tournament also featured some Olympic Gold Medallists! This is a testament to the quality of regards for one of the premier 7s tournaments outside of the World Series circuit.

On 29 May 1996, the Club passed several landmark resolutions – to embark on a $60-million Clubhouse redevelopment, create a new class of transferable membership and give women full membership for the ﬁrst time in the history of the Club (offered in November 1997).

Today, the Club boasts over 5,000 active members, of whom some 3,000 are voting members. There are currently 13 Sports Sections in the Club – Balut, Billiards & Snooker, Bowls, Bridge, Cricket, Darts, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Football, Squash and Tennis – the largest sections being Golf, Squash and Tennis.

In the late 1990s, the SCC International Rugby Sevens attained the status of a top international club tournament.

Looking forward to the next 10 years – see you at our 80th!

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS The Club’s beginnings were quite humble, with the ﬁrst 28 members in 1853 being mostly men working in the British business and mercantile community, usually as clerks or “junior assistants”. By the 1880s membership had grown to almost 400.

SILVERWARE

The Ablitt Cup

John Clark Shield

Sithawalla Cup

Len Foster Trophy

THE ABLITT CUP

SITHAWALLA CUP

The Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) International Rugby Sevens has attained the status of the region’s premier international club tournament. Teams are invited from around the world to play for the prestigious Ablitt Cup. The Ablitt Cup is named after Bernard E. Ablitt who was Convenor of the SCC Rugby Section from 1931-1932. From 1938-1939, he was the President of the SCC. The silver Ablitt Cup was donated by Mrs Katherine Parentis in 1947 for the winners of the first seven-a-side tournament organised by the by the SCC Rugby Section. The tournament has since become an annual competition and one of the world’s oldest rugby sevens tournaments.

The Sithawalla Cup is a prestigious cup given away at the Rugby Sevens to the Under-18 college competitors. This cup is presented by our former SCC President Mr H. M. Sithawalla.

JOHN CLARK SHIELD The John Clark Trophy is presented to the winner of the Under-16 schools category. This trophy was donated by friends of the late John Clark, a rugby stalwart and one-time Vice-President of the SCC. John Clark was born in Penang in 1935 and after an education in the UK, returned to life in Asia. Rugby was his passion and some of his happiest days were spent on the Padang in the 1960s where his generous advice was valued by the younger rugby players of the era.

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LEN FOSTER TROPHY Len Foster was a former President of the Singapore Cricket Club. He was a great proponent of rugby youth development within the SCC. He was also an ex-player for the Club and recognized the importance local youth development as the future for rugby. He was a prime mover in re-igniting the SCC Colts programme within the Rugby Section and also in steering development projects in tandem with the mission of the SCC International Rugby Sevens. The Len Foster Cup is presented for the Under-14 category of the Schools & Colleges Tournament and was named in Len’s honour in 2009. This is in celebration for his tireless passion for developing youth development and constantly believing in rugby’s young talents.

AAR

ASIAN AVIATION RESOURCES

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PARtICIPAtIng TEAmS Australia Casuarina Cougars Cottesloe East Arnhem Rugby Palmyra Rugby Union Club Tribe 7 University Darwin

France France Development Team

Papua New Guinea InterOil Turagu

Hong Kong Hong Kong Dragons

Singapore Singapore Cricket Club Singapore Barbarians

Fiji Daveta

Malaysia Iskandar Raiders Borneo Eagles

Japan Tamariva Rugby Football Club

Sweden Swedish Vikings

SCC TEAm The Padang once again plays host to the 70th Annual International Invitational Singapore Cricket Club Rugby Sevens on the 3rd5thNovember 2017. Following the success of last years SCC team, where they won the Plate competition (the first time the club had done so in 20 years), the players & Head Coach Suhaimi Amran hope to do one better this year. This is a young squad and something Suhaimi is very proud of, more than half of the squad are SCC Junior Sport Members, with several players having risen through the ranks from the SCC Rugby Academy before going onto make the SRU International Men’s 7s & 15s Squads. Players such as: Declan Martens & Xavier Ducourneau have looked good in all the tournaments they have played and will be eager to impress in front of a home crowd. The SCC welcome back two South-Africa International Players into their ranks Clinton Herbst & the last year’s tournament top try-scorer and MVP: Iewan Bartels. With a blend of home-grown talent, bolstered with the usual expat contingent, and the team once again Captained by Michael Oliver, the SCC are looking in good shape ahead of the tournament. Suhaimi started this seasons 7s campaign back in May, at the Kallang Athletics track where the wider 7s squad engaged in a brutal preseason of speed and conditioning. The usual routine consisted of: 1x3km, 2x1000m, 4x800m, 4x400m & 1x200m: 10kms of sprints. This was as much a rite of passage than anything else, with the intention to get the players fit, hungry for places and ready for the SRU Club 7s. The SCC entered the SRU Clubs 7s, and over a 2 week period won the tournament with relative ease. This was no disrespect to the competition, but the opposition faced a team that was fitter, stronger, sharper and had successfully transitioned from the 15s seasons to adapt to the 7s game. This was a special year for the SCC as this was the 9th year in a row they had retained the silver wear.

Often we take for granted the opportunities many of us are lucky enough to have, and how tough life can be. Once a month on a Saturday afternoon, the 7s squad has engaged in helping coach and supervise some multi-sport sessions at the Salvation Army, Gracehaven Home for Children. Players have commented on how rewarding and humbling this experience has been, and giving back into the community no matter how big or small has proven to be an invaluable experience.

In preparation for the up and coming SCC7s the SCC 7s Squad travelled to Sembilan, Malaysia to play in the 19th NSW Royal 7s. In a tough two-day tournament the SCC won their group and successfully beat a host of opposition to progress to the final, facing off against a Fijian outfit: Singa FRC. Singa FRC came flying out the blocks with a level of intensity, speed of play and physicality the SCC hadn’t yet faced all tournament, scoring 3 quick tries in succession. Giving a team a head-start, and against a quality opposition, you leave yourself with a mountain to climb. However the young SCC team were not to be phased and gradually shut Singa FRC down and the superior fitness levels showed. This was a thrilling contest and the SCC started to claw themselves back into contention scoring 2 crucial tries. With the Singa FRC well and truly running on empty snatching the ‘W’ at the death looked likely. The SCC fought back gallantly and came within a whisker of winning by scoring a last minute try, but the referee called time (perhaps a little bit early), and Singa FRC were crowned champions: 17-14. You sometimes learn more in defeat than in victory, and this was a great outing for the 7s Squad, following which they have been training hard and fine-tuning there preparations ahead of the tournament.

When facing a situation you’ve never faced before, there’s no substitute for experience.

CMY

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The SCC squad to represent the Club at the SCC7s, 3rd-5th November 2017: 1. Drew Byrnes, 2. Giles Kernick, 3. Valu Raturibi, 4. Jay Hykel, 5. Nick Yao, 6. Declan Martens, 7. Clinton Herbst, 8. Michael Oliver(Captain), 9. Xavier Ducourneau, 10. Iewan Bartels, 11. Taylor Hayes, 12. Christian Rees-Cooke. Head Coach: Suhaimi Amran Team Manager: Dominic Morrison

Thank you to BOB D&B Pte Ltd who have kindly sponsored the SCC 7s team this season.

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PASt WInNERS LIST ABLITT CUP

PLATE

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1984/85 1983/84 1982/83 1980/81 1979/80 1978/79 1977/78 1977 1976 1974/75 1973/74 1972/73 1971/72 1970/71 1969/70 1968/69 1967/68-95 1966/67 1965/66 1964/65 1963/64 1962/63 1961/62 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

England Academy SARU Sevens Academy Borneo Eagles Asia-Paciﬁc Dragons Daveta Daveta Penguins SA Vipers SA Vipers SA Vipers Ponsonby Davetalevu British Army UK Durban Harlequins Davetalevu Wellington Centurions Taradale Taradale Petone Taradale NZ Diplomats Davetalevu Davetalevu Randwick RFC Kaitake Samoan Coconuts RFC Kaitake RFC Ponsonby Ponsonby HK Police RSL Dragons Lloyds RC, UK RNZIR Casuarina Cougers RUFC Chuckles “B” Police Sports Assn B Coy IRNZIR Chuckles “A” A Coy IRNZIR C Coy IRNZIR A Coy IRNZIR SP Coy IRNZIR ANZUK C Coy “A” SCC “C” RAF Changi RAF Changi SCC CDO. LT. R.A. HMNZS Blackpool RAF Seletar “B” GHQ Farelf GHQ Farelf RAF Changi RAF Changi RUFC SCC “B” 75th SQDN RNZAF “A” Naval Base “A” SCC “B” SCC “C” SCC “A” Fijians South Johore SCC “B” Fijians “A” RASC RASC “A” SER GHQ

SHIELD 2016 2015

Daveta France Development

1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979

JUG Singapore Cricket Club PNG Interoil Turagus Swedish Vikings Western Province Cottlesloe NAPTHA Pyrenees Sunnybank Borneo Eagles Thai Barbarians USA Eagles Palmyra Sandakan Rugby Club Durban Harlequins Impala Huat Old Boys Australian Barbarians Army UK Nomads Morobe Hammerhead Sharks Penguins Royal Thai Police Palmyra Uanelli Hong Kong Football Club Palmyra RFC SAFSA Royal Malaysian Police Sembawang Tigers RMAF Blackhawks Kobe RFC Palmyra RFC Maitland RFC Royal Thai Air Force Kobe Regatta & Athletic Club SAFSA Chuckles A RNZIR Bravo A RNZIR Blacks

BOWL 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988

2016 2015 2014 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

*No compertition* East Arnhem Rugby Grenoble University Rugby Te Kaha Pirates Southern Lions Singapore Barbarians *no games* SCC Casuarina Cougars Hong Kong Football Club SCC *no games* Hong Kong Football Club Kurumi Bucks

SITHAWALLA CUP 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Froggies Sevens Rugby Club NS Silverbacks Casuarina Cougars NS Wanderers Swedish Vikings Cottesloe SLRFU 7 Casuarina Cougars Indonesian Barbarians Singapore Barbarians Thai Barbarians Palmyra Paciﬁc C Coast Gave Atlantis Centurions Impala Palmyra Beijing University Hyundai Legends Swedish Vikings Royal Malaysian Police Royal Malaysian Police Les Corsaires RFC SCC Marist RFC RMAF Blackhawks SAFSA Royal Malaysian Police

JOHN CLARK TROPHY

2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984

Tanglin Trust School *Tournament postponed due to haze* Tanglin Trust School United World College Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Tanglin Trust School Tanglin Trust School Tanglin Trust School Anglo-Chinese Junior College Anglo-Chinese Junior College Anglo-Chinese Junior College Anglo-Chinese Junior College Anglo-Chinese Junior College United World College Anglo-Chinese Junior College “A” Anglo-Chinese Junior College Raffles Junior College United World College Raffles Junior College “A” United World College “A” United World College United World College Raffles Junior College Raffles Junior College Sekolah Menengah Sains Johore Sekolah Menengah Sains Johore Raffles Junior College Raffles Junior College St. Andrews Junior College Raffles Junior College Raffles Junior College Raffles Junior College Raffles Junior College

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983

Lycée Français de Singapour *Tournament postponed due to haze* Tanglin Trust School Tanglin Trust School UWCSEA Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Nhulunbuy High School, Australia Anglo-Chinese School Anglo-Chinese School United World College St. Andrew’s Secondary School Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) United World College Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Raffles Institution United World College Greenridge Secondary School United World College “A” United World College “A” United World College United World College Raffles Institution Raffles Institution St. Andrew’s “A” St. Andrew’s “A” St. Andrew’s “A” St. Andrew’s “A” St. Andrew’s “A” Anglo-Chinese School “A” St. Andrew’s “A”

YEARS OF STEADFAST

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2016 R7S REPORT

England Academy was quietly progressing and played some great rugby on route to a quarter-ﬁnal match-up with the vaunted Fijians despite a loss of their own. It seemed a forgone conclusion as the teams marched out that the freewheeling Fijians would romp over the English.

Article by Jonathan Leow, General Committee Representative

Daveta however made too many mistakes and were punished by their disciplined opponents who took the lead and then held on stubbornly after Daveta failed to convert their second-half try. With that, the pre-tournament favourites were out of the Cup and left to contest the Shield (which they won against Day 1 opponents Interoil Turagu) as England Development went onto defeat the Penguins in the semi-finals to set up a final against previous winners of the Ablitt Cup, Sunnybank. Sunnybank had been quiet underdogs from the start of the tournament with a steady win over fellow Australians Palmyra in the quarter-finals. Their dominant win over a rising French Development side in the semi-finals raised a few eyebrows and it was indeed a great final that preceded when they met England as evening settled on Day 3 of the tournament.

If 2015 was a challenging year for the Club and the SCC Rugby 7s in particular, then 2016 was interesting in more ways than one as the 69th edition beckoned. A greater focus this year was sought to ensure the spirit of the tournament was kept within means and to ensure that we would head into a 70th Anniversary tournament in 2017. A revamped stadium layout which saw the famed Guinness Bar merged with the public stand was met with some very positive support and the overall atmosphere of the tournament was alive and well, as were the excited shrieks coming from the expanded kid’s area. On the field, it was a great tournament that did not disappoint. 16 top teams descended on the Padang to compete for the Ablitt Cup and we welcomed back old favourite, Daveta, after a one year absence. The Fijians were clearly looking to make up for last time and came with a couple of gold dusted Olympians for extra measure. Old friends the Penguins came with a side loaded with class acts from the Southern Hemisphere and did look the goods in the training. England Development returned for another year and came with a promise of a much stronger team than in 2015. True to their word they brought with them a couple of World Series regulars including a familiar face to some on the Padang in former player of the tournament, Warwick Lahmert. Sunnybank were the dark horses of the tournament and came with some talent of their own, including former Queensland Reds utility back Richard Kingi. We did welcome a pair of newcomers as well, with Froggies from France boasting some top talent from various French Rugby Academies (not wineries) and the RAF Spitfires flying the flag high for the Royal Airforce. The Spitfires certainly were taking the tournament seriously and were the first to reach our shores for reconnaissance and acclimatization.

The SCC 7s encompasses the SCC Rugby Academy Tournament, held a weekend before the main tournament and the Schools & Colleges tournament, which gives the opportunity for local schools and local based international schools the chance to battle for bragging rights to be the best 7s team in Singapore. The Schools & Colleges tournament was held this year on the Friday before the main tournament, and a total of over 2,000 youth and supporters were on the Padang across the two tournaments. It was almost a clean sweep for the French School as they won both the Len Foster Cup (U14) and John Clark (U16) trophies on Sunday afternoon. The Tanglin Trust School continued to stamp their dominance on the Sithawalla Cup and won the U18 category in fine fashion. The uniqueness of having three tournaments across five days was certainly no mean feat, but added to the colour and charm of the region’s oldest rugby 7s tournament. Preliminary rounds of any tournament will give a good idea of who are the favourites, but Sunnybank really shook up the standings when they defeated Daveta on Saturday. The Fijians, who had looked a little slow off the gas in their first game on Friday against InterOil Turagu from PNG, got into gear a little too late against the Australians and despite some last minute heroics by Rio Olympic Gold Medallist Jerry Tuwai suffered their first loss of the tournament. Sunnybank clearly showed their intent and that was to set the tone for the rest of the tournament. The hosts SCC were also looking good this year and had in flyer Iewan Bartels, a guest player who scored no less than eight tries after day one. Coach Suhami Amran, who has played for the Club at the 7s and is a former Junior Sports Member, worked a core group of players hard and seemed to have reaped the rewards as the tournament headed into Day 3.

In the Final, England Academy displayed a potent combination of skill, physicality and tactics on the Padang, despite trading tries in the early exchanges of the game. The Englishmen remained steady, as they scored a last minute try to enter the half leading 21-14. They tightened their grip on the Cup in the second half, outscoring their opponents 19-7 to ease their way to victory. Sunnybank were always in the game, but smart possession of the ball led the English Development Team to claim the Ablitt Cup for the first time 40 -21. England Development Captain Ethan Waddleton said, “It was a tough final, especially in the first half when the score line was pretty narrow. It’s always tough playing five games in the tournament and still have a 20-minute one at the end. The fitness helps of course, but we backed our skills up with good decisions and good defence as well. In the second half, we knew we had a little bit of engine on them so it was just putting our finishing touches on and getting a few tries, missing only one of the scoring opportunities.” Sunnybank centre and captain of the 2016 Queensland U20s side, Fred Dorrough, who returned to the tournament for the third time, rated the 2016 instalment as his favourite yet. “It was a pretty special tournament. It was my third time at the event and this was definitely my favourite one. Reaching the Cup final was the best we’ve ever gone and I think that’s really going to help us moving forward,” Dorrough said. SCC’s Iewan Bartels was awarded the Ashforth Cup, an honour reserved for the Player of the Tournament capping a landmark day for the SCC 7s team as they won the Plate for the first time in front of their home crowd, defeating NS Wanderers, 26-14 in the Finals and earning the host their best finish in 20 years at home.

Weary hands from the members of the Organising Committee raised glasses on Sunday night for a job well done, with a few ones even raising their hands for another year. The 70th edition will be the tournament’s platinum anniversary, making the event one of the oldest sporting events in Singapore and the oldest 7s tournament outside of Europe. Much to look forward to with such an enriching experience, which was 2016. So all in all it was a great tournament with some new changes and challenges, nothing too difﬁcult to overcome with some shared passion and club spirit which was shown throughout the weekend. Much thanks to the members of the General Committee for their support and belief in the Organising Committee, our sponsors and the general membership of the Club who showed their support in so many ways.

RESULTS MAIN TOURNAMENT Ablitt Cup Winner England Academy United Kingdom Shield Winner Daveta Fiji Plate Winner Singapore Cricket Club Singapore Bowl Winner Froggies Sevens Rugby Club France Player of the Tournament Iewan Bartels Singapore Cricket Club (Singapore) Player of the Final Cam Cowell England Academy (United Kingdom)

SCHOOLS & COLLEGES TOURNAMENT Sithawalla Trophy (U18) Tanglin Trust School John Clark Shield (U16) Lycée Français de Singapour Len Foster Trophy (U14) Lycée Français de Singapour

ACTIOn ON THE PADANG

THE FAIRER SIdE Of RUGby Asia

bEHINd tHE WHIStLE: Article by Matthew Oakley, MVO MBE

THE TOURNAMENT MATCH OFFICIALS Beﬁtting its reputation as one of the world’s premier international invitational 7s tournaments, over the past 70 years the SCC7s has attracted top quality referees from overseas as well as domestically. With Rugby overall now into its 3rd decade of full professionalism in certain countries and the 7s variation now an Olympic sport, the days when amateur 15-a-side exponents such as Derek Bevan, who refereed the 1991 Rugby World Cup Final, could come and referee the SCC7s are long gone. The 7s game has moved at such a pace, literally, that it is young legs and speed of body and mind that are required. Therefore, in the last 10 years or so, the tournament shifted focus to inviting emerging referees from Tier 1 rugby unions such as England, Australia and South Africa, who were beginning their fulltime professional careers in the 7s and 15s forms of the Game. From our referees ‘alumni’, Luke Pearce, J P Doyle and Tim Wigglesworth can now be seen on TV most weekends refereeing in the English Aviva Premiership. Jaco Peyper (South Africa) is now one of World Rugby’s senior referees. Jason Jaftha (South Africa) refereed the Rio Olympic 7s ﬁnal in Brazil. And Greg Garner (England) is now the Referees Manager for the Pro14 competition in Europe and South Africa. The SCC is delighted that our tournament helps aspiring referees to achieve such success in their careers. The club relies on the Singapore Society of Rugby Union Referees (SSRUR) to manage the refereeing part of the tournament. The Society uses the tournament as an exchange opportunity with its peer organizations in the UAE and Hong Kong. This year sees the return from Hong Kong of Matt Rodden, a HSBC Sevens World Series Panel referee, who, to help him prepare for the SWS, will travel on from Singapore after this weekend’s tournament to referee at the Oceania 7s in Fiji in an annual exchange between the 2 World Rugby Regional Associations, Oceania Rugby and Asia Rugby.

Our overseas referees are complemented by SSRUR Referees; Assistant Referees; In-Goal Touch Judges and Technical Zone Managers. The Singapore referees include Asia Rugby Panel members Charlie Brown and Eunice Tay, who, with Matt, have just officiated the 3 legs of the 2017 Asia Rugby Sevens Series. Charlie is the Full Time Match officials (Development) Manager at the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU).The Club thanks the SRU and SSRUR as ever for its assistance and long may the SCC7s remain the pinnacle event in many young Singapore referees’ annual calendar and a focus for their fitness, conditioning and continuing self-education. Assisting in the referee’s tent and the technical areas once again is former Club Member, John Nuttall, who returns again from the New South Wales Referee Society, along with Kim Short from Western Australia with Palmyra. The tournament Match Officials are this year managed by SSRUR appointed and also Club Member, Matt Oakley, who it’s good to see back after a 2 year absence at various Asia Rugby meetings in his role as Strategy & Development Advisor to the Regional Association. Club Member, Douglas Danapal is Matt’s Gofer.

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The tournament also has a citing and judicial process in place to meet World Rugby Regulation 17 requirements – although the club obviously hopes it won’t be required! The SCC7s provides all Match Officials an opportunity to interact with counterparts from major and minor rugby unions and officiate top class 7s rugby, plus make new friends for life. We wish them all a great weekend. The tournament couldn’t happen without them. Finally, if you are interested in refereeing (or sponsoring our match officials next year!), please feel free to approach Charlie, Matt or Douglas in the match officials area. Some photos over the past 10 years of some of our match officials this weekend.

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