ACS (I) looking good for third successive title
ACS (I) rugby boys run riot and look almost certain to make it three titles in succession
NATIONAL SCHOOLS A DIVISION RUGBY SEMI-FINALS
ACS (I) 45
ACJC 5
In a powerful display that signalled their intent, two-time defending champions Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) hammered Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC) 45-5 in the semi-finals of the National Schools A Division rugby championships yesterday.
ACS (I) were simply too good for ACJC, going 14-0 up at half-time.
They scored four more tries in the second half to cruise into the final.
ACS (I) captain Ethan Ho, 18, was generally satisfied with his team's performance at the Physical and Sports Education Branch at Evans Road.
"The forwards were gelling well, we were talking, and we really played as a team," he told The New Paper.
"But half of me still feels we can take it up a notch."
The second semi-final will see St Andrew's Junior College take on Raffles Institution today. ACS (I) will be the overwhelming favourites for the title after posting huge wins over both teams in the group stage.
The champions beat St Andrew's 44-3 and blitzed RI 36-0, but Ethan is not looking at the opponents in the final next Wednesday.
"It's always a good feeling going to the final but we've got to ensure that with each performance, we get better. So we shouldn't be resting on our laurels just because we won today. Neither should we take anything for granted," said Ethan.
"We're going to really reflect on our performance today. It's one thing to take the win, but it's another to go back and take a look at what we need to improve on."
FRUITION
ACS (I)'s Edward Hui, who scored two tries, said: "Seeing how far we've come since the beginning of the season, how hard we've worked and the amount of time we've put into training, it's good we can finally see it (come) to fruition."
On their potential opponents, Ethan said: "I'm not really worried because... it doesn't matter what the score was when we played them in the group stage, they're going to be a completely different threat.
"We're just going to play our own game and do what we do best."
He added that his team did not feel the pressure of defending their title.
Said Ethan: "We just want to do it for ourselves... and end on a good note. It's not about the title, it's about us finishing well."
We just want to do it for ourselves... and end on a good note. It’s not about the title, it’s about us finishing well. - ACS (I) captain Ethan Ho
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