The Finals

Singapore Cricket Club laid claim to the first title of the SRU National Rugby Championships when the SCC Division Two defeated Bucks Rugby 18 - 6 at the Division 2 Bowl Finals at the Padang.

Both teams were undefeated going into the match and a close encounter was expected.

SCC opened their accounts as early as in the 3rd minute when No. 8 Valmiki Nair converted a penalty for SCC to leas 3- 0.

With much of the battle was in the forward pack, SCC has a bigger share of the proceedings as their forwards dominated play. The backs could not finish off the possession that was supplied by the forwards and it was a case of both, a strong Bucks defence out wide as well as SCC's back three being unable to convert the opportunities.

In the 9th minute, Valmiki misses a penalty and the opportunity to extend SCC's lead.

Bucks then started getting their patterns into play and were duly rewarded when fullback Marcus Ahye converted a penalty to level the game at 3 - 3 in the 15th minute.

An injury to SCC first choice wing in the 18thth minute led to the introduction of reserve Alex Chua and in the 20th minute, Valmiki converted another penalty to put SCC 6 - 3 in the lead.

Alex's Introduction was a heaven sent for SCC when they finally broke Bucks stubborn defence in the 22nd minute, with Alex Chua crossing the line to score the match opening try for SCC. SCC led 11- 3.

Bucks could not get their running game going and were pinned in their half by territorial kicks by SCC's scrumhalf, Khairul Hilmi and fly half Mohd Ridzuan. Most of the match was centered around both forward packs and unforced errors led to lots of stoppages in the 2nd part of the first half.

Valmiki then missed another penalty in the 34th minute before the half time break for SCC to lead 11 - 3.

SCC started the 2nd half with a bang by pinning Bucks in their 22m. A misplaced clearance by Bucks fly half Joel Wee was capitalized by the quick thinking SCC forwards who relayed the ball to wing Alex Chua for the and SCC's second try. SCC led 16 - 3.

Much of the 2nd half was played in the middle of the field with both teams being unable to capitalize on their possession and ball handling mistakes led to turnovers in possession.

With the clock ticking by the minute, Bucks staged a late rally and finally manage to release their much vaunted back line. Off a quickly taken penalty in the 37th minute, fullback Marcus Ahye cross the line to score Buck's only try of the game. He missed the conversion.

Bucks tried to rally into the dying minutes of the game like they did against Police in the semis last weekend but SCC held on strong to collect the 1st trophy for the club.

Final Score, SCC 16 Bucks 8

taken from SRU website. (click here to read full article)