SINGAPORE - Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) have won the Rugby National C Division title, sealing a grand slam of triumphs in all three divisions in the same year, after beating St. Andrew's Secondary School (SAS) 22-17 on Tuesday (Aug 23) afternoon.
A sea of about 700 supporters filled Yio Chu Kang stadium with half of which was clad in the yellow of ACS(I) and the the other half in the blue and white stripes of the Saints.
The Saints had managed to topple ACS(I)'s grand slam hopes last year as they bagged the C Division, but could not retain their title this year.
But the school from Dover Road was determined to avoid a repeat, racing to an early lead through Timothy Tan's try within minutes to lead 5-0.
But St. Andrew's fired back with a try through Sean Dan and a successful conversion to put them in the lead 7-5.
ACS(I) scored another try shortly before the end of the first half through Bryan Beng to put them 10-7 up at the break.
Going into the second the second half, the ACS(I) captain Matthew Lim and Timothy managed to secure their team the victory 22-17, despite a successful penalty and another try from Saints.
Captain and inside centre Matthew said of his team's performance: "We really started well, stayed steady and finished well this season and I'm really very blessed to have this wonderful talented team."
ACS(I) had won the A and B Div titles earlier this year.
Head coach Adrian Chong remembers the school completing the grand slam in 2008 and 2011. However, the ACS family had added the primary schools Under-11 and Under-13 titles to their collection as well.
The 49-year-old told The Straits Times: "(It's) never easy to win a grand slam for any school so to be able to do it is always, to me, is something to cherish."
