Written by: Ryan Jay Naidu Edited by: Leung Lok Heng & Choa Zhao Xiang Photos by: EusoffWork
On the 19th of January our Eusoffian touch rugby teams took to the NUS Science field to test their mettle against their formidable foes from the other halls. Unlike many other sports played in IHG, Touch Rugby was wrapped up in a single day, which meant that amidst the high stakes and exhausting tournament schedule, there was plenty of action and stellar displays of skill from our homegrown troops in yellow as they braved the Sunday heat and fought through each fixture to bring glory back to where the IHG title should rightfully lie.
(F) vs RH 9-0
Proceedings started with the girls’ team taking on RH, where the ever-so-talented Jia Xin opened Eusoff’s account five minutes into the first half. Our girls, led by captain Sheann cruised to a comfortable 4-0 lead at halftime, clearly a class above their opponents. The second half began and our girls refused to take their foot off the gas, constantly pressuring the RH defence into making poor decisions and forcing ball-handling errors. Our girls relentlessly punished RH time after time, with a plethora of players on the roster getting on the scoresheet. The game eventually ended with the score being a whopping 9-0 to our girls. Business taken care of. On to the next one.
(M) vs RH 10-0
The men’s team also started their campaign against RH, hoping to replicate the success the girls’ team achieved just moments before this contest. Our boys started out hot, with Eusoff’s beloved Wei Shien drawing first blood shortly after the opening whistle. The onslaught against RH never ceased, with the boys in green appearing to be chasing shadows. This first half blitzkrieg was refreshingly led by our hall’s new blood, with Glenn and Yuichiro being key contributors to the fluid, scintillating displays by the squad and even bagged tries to their names. The first half of play ended 7-0. RH desperate to be put out of their misery. The second half, while not as free flowing as the first, allowed Eusoff to showcase its squad’s depth and undoubtedly sent a message to the other halls that the boys in yellow were a force to be reckoned with. The game ended 10-0 to Eusoff.
Japanese-born Yuichiro was undeniably a star in the making. A start of a Eusoff legacy.
(F) vs KE 4-1
Our girls’ second fixture was against KE, a hall which is known not so much for their talent, but their unrelenting spirit and high levels of discipline reflected in their play, which represented a unique challenge for our girls. Amber scored a quick try to give Eusoff an early lead but it was shortly cancelled out by a KE try against the run of play. However, our Eusoffians displayed steadfastness in spirit and gathered themselves, recentering their focus back onto their game plan. Led by Albanie and Jia Xin pulling the strings from the middle of the park, our girls finished the half strong with a series of high pressure sequences and eventually saw the game through with a final score of 4-1.
The freshie vice-captain Claudia orchestrated play from the middle.
(M) vs KE 2-0
Our men’s team were given a walkover of 2-0 against KE due to the opposition’s lack of players. While 2-0 might seem like we were shortchanged, the benefit of not having the physical burden of playing another match would definitely serve to be imperative to our boys in the matches to come.
(F) vs KR 2-4
Next up for the girls was a matchup against touch rugby powerhouse KR. Our girls unfortunately started out the game cold, with the KR girls managing to capitalize on defensive lapses and breakdowns in communication, eventually assuming a 3-0 lead at the halfway mark. Nonetheless, our girls persevered. Not willing to throw in the towel just yet, our girls demonstrated their grit on the field as the second half began, with Georgia scoring a sensational try to pull one back for us. However, KR refused to let us back in the game, and it seemed all but settled when the added another try to make the score 4-1, pulling away once again. Eusoffians are known for their fighting spirit and passion in their sporting endeavors, and that is exactly what we saw from our girls as they were constantly in search of a try to keep KR sweating. Joey managed to pull a second try back, making the score 4-2. But however, our girls lost out to their other opponent, time, and at the final whistle our girls fell short despite putting together a good display of skill coupled with mental fortitude in what ended up becoming one of the most entertaining fixtures of the afternoon. Following this match, we headed into a short intermission.
No player stood out more for the girls than Jia Xin. Despite the loss, it was an incredible game of touch.
(M) vs SH 2-0
The action resumed with our men’s team taking on SH, in what was their first proper test in the carnival. The game started out a cagey affair, with both sides going back and forth but unable to break the deadlock due to stubborn defending by both teams. However, the spark that Eusoff needed came in the form of a man by the name of Mitchell, with his lightning quick pace down the flanks was too much for the SH defence to handle, giving EH a 1-0 lead which they took into half-time. Our boys quickly doubled their lead moments into the second period of play and that was about the last piece of noteworthy action as the game descended back into its initial cagey state. Our Eusoff boys played soundly and finished the game with their 2-0 lead and unbeaten record intact.
The Sheares defence was so airtight that only a lucky break from Mitchell could break the deadlock.
(F) vs SH 5-0
Next up, it was the girls’ turn to take on SH. The ladies draped in yellow strips wasted no time and went full throttle from the get-go, securing early tries from the experienced Wan Ling and the individual brilliance of Jia Xin. Our girls added yet another try on the stroke at the half-time whistle and took a comfortable 3-0 lead with them into the break. The girls picked up right where they left off once the second half was underway, with Stacia putting in some nifty moves in midfield and eventually gets rewarded for her immaculate play as it materialises into a try to make it 4-0 to Eusoff. The girls cruised to the finish line, adding another try along the way as they easily disposed of SH by a final scoreline of 5-0.
Link Shu Qing setting up for a try to the wing.
(M) vs KR 5-2
Heading into the blockbuster matchup with KR, this fixture had all the markings of a gold-medal match, for the victor of the contest would likely conclude this round robin tournament as champions. Stakes had never been higher for our boys, with their gold medal hanging in the balance. KR started the tie extremely aggressively, constantly charging deep into our territory and threatening our defensive lines. The lads in blue eventually got rewarded for their offensive pursuit by breaking through EH’s watertight defence and scoring the first try of the game. It was at this very point where our boys had to dig deep and find their mettle of champions in the face of adversity. And play like champions they did. Skipper Shern dazzled the spectators and the KR defence alike with a series of hop-steps and dummies, throwing a sublime backhand pass which found Jun Wei for an easy finish to level the scores at 1-1. Despite that highlight worthy play, Shern was nowhere near done. The captain tapped into his wealth of experience, getting EH a second try with a quick pick-and-go play which caught KR’s defence off guard. Shern then showcased his defensive instinct, charging forth with impeccable timing to intercept KR’s passive move and setting himself up for an easy finish. Just like that, the boys in yellow had a 3-1 lead to boot. Star-man number 9 Shern continued to be on fire as he danced through the KR defence before delivering a pinpoint pass right into the hands of his winger for an easy finish. Although KR managed to pull a try back, the deed was done as Jun Wei gave Eusoff its fifth try which all but put the contest to rest.
Shern revved up his engine 129219 notches. It’s players like these that decide championships.
(F) vs TH: 3-1
Our girls’ very last game against TH was a crucial one, where they needed a win or draw against their opponents to secure the silver medal. With fatigue from an entire day of matches and the sweltering heat, our girls were definitely not in for an easy ride. Stacia gave us the early lead but it was not long after nullified by a good passing move from opponents TH which led to a try being scored on the flank. The teams entered the half all square at 1-1. In the second half, our girls began to show the gulf in class between themselves and TH, where the latter succumbed to fatigue and made sloppy plays and poor decisions. EH capitalized on their opponents not being fully present on the field and scored 2 tries in quick succession, giving us a 3-1 cushion. The game ended with a final score of 3-1 and our girls secured second placing following the victory over noisy neighbours TH.
Georgia trying to exploit the gaps in the Temasek defence.
(M) v TH: 7-1
The last game for the guys was against TH as well, needing to secure a win to lock the gold medal down. However, TH were not pushovers as opponents, boasting a couple of experienced players and excited freshman recruits. However, knowing what was on the line, our boys came storming out the blocks and scored 2 early tries. Being led by effervescent seniors such as Wei Shien and Wesley, who are both no strangers to IHG glory and what is required to get there, our boys constantly put pressure on TH’s defensive line phase after phase and eventually we closed out the half holding on to a 4-1 lead over TH.
Wei Shien blitzed past the open Temasek defence multiple times.
Despite the lead being a relatively comfortable one, our boys never stopped hustling and kept battering TH. Through both smooth passing moves and opportunistic counter attacks, our boys managed to add another 3 goals, truly leaving TH in the dust, not knowing what force hit them. The game ends with a final score of 7-1 to Eusoff and with that victory, the men’s title comes home once again.
The boys celebrate their coach’s birthday. Happy Birthday Kenny and thank you for your years of giving to the hall!
In sum, an extremely successful outing for Eusoff, bagging one gold and one silver from an eventful afternoon. It is always heartening to see so many Eusoffians show up on a Sunday to cheer our friends on, possibly the largest turnout among all the halls, and I would say this is what separates us Eusoffians from other halls, what separates champions from contenders.
A combined team photo as the teams wrap up the arduous and rewarding 19/20 season.
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