Wednesday, April 22, 2009

SMUrugby Leaves Europe in Awe

The SMU 7s squad finally completed the Tournoi Des 5 Ballons in true fashion. The team who went up to Cergy, France to compete in the week long tournament performed beyond expectations to secure a silver medal in the league competition and a bronze medal in the cup competition. The tournament was an invitational event involving a vast variety of teams from more than 9 countries around the world and with more than 40 competitive teams.

In the league competition, the City Boys beat ILEPS (10-7), St Petersburg University (17-5) and Complutense (29-5), and only drawing with the defending champions, ESSEC (12-12), which denied them the gold.

In the cup competition, SMU faced ILEPS in the semi-finals and had to swallow a disappointing defeat of 21-7. Unfortunately, in an unanticipated turn of events, ESSEC then went on to withdraw from their own tournament and our City Boys were awarded a third place position that did not reflect the true standing in the tournament. However, on a brighter note, SMU was also awarded the Fair Play Award for upstanding conduct both on and off the field throughout the tournament duration.

The team will like to thank all the well wishes from all who supported us in one way or the other. We will also like to thank our manager Andrew Aaron Tam and our physio, Uncle See Hong, who played a huge part of making this tournament a success for us.

From the point that our team stepped onto the plane, and even upon our arrival at the tournament grounds, our team faced constant doubt and ridicule as both locals and competitors doubted our playing ability. However this tournament has truly served to become a hallmark for our beloved City Boys who have done well to prove themselves and leave a memorable mark in Europe where we have shown once and for all that we should never be taken lightly again.

Results:

Group Games


(1) SMU vs ILEPS (France)


Scoreline: 10-7


SMU Tries: Bryan Ng (1), Alex Chew (1)


(2) SMU vs ESSEC (France - defending champion)


Scoreline: 12-12


SMU Tries: Wang En Jian (1), Alex Chew (1)


(3) SMU vs St Petersburg University (Russia)


Scoreline: 17-5


SMU Tries: Bryan Ng (2), Derek Chan (1)


(4) SMU vs Complutense (Spain)


Scoreline: 29-5


SMU Tries: Nick Hwang (1), Melvin Teo (2), Matthias Lim (1), Bryan Ng (1)

Cup Semi-Final:

SMU vs ILEPS (France)

Scoreline: 7-21

SMU Tries: Derek Chan (1)



Sunday, April 12, 2009

SMUrugby Set To Leave For France

In less than a week's time, SMUrugby will be flying off to France to represent the school as well as the nation in the “Tournoi des 5 Ballons” organised by ESSEC (École supérieure des sciences économiques et commerciales) Business School. The 30th edition of the T5B, “Tournoi des 5 Ballons”, will take place in Cergy-Pontoise, France, from April 19th to April 24th 2009. This is the first time a sports team from SMU will be travelling to Europe. This also marks SMUrugby's first trip out of the Asia/Oceania region.

The tournament will last for 5 days: arrivals on Sunday, qualification games and playoffs at ESSEC and in Cergy’s facilities from Monday to Wednesday, Finals and closing ceremony on Thursday evening, and departure on Friday morning.

SMUrugby will be Asia's sole representative and will be up against 5 other teams from France, Spain and Russia. Having recorded their first overseas victory in Australia back in December 2008 during IRAUG 2008, the City Boys will be looking to build on that and come home from France with some victories under their belts.

The City Boys were put through their paces in their last training at Gotham City on Thursday morning as they make their final preparations for the 7s Tournament in France under the watchful eyes of Coach Rong Jing Xiang. The boys looked sharp as they were working through their moves under the hot sun.

Inspirational skipper Daniel Marc Chow has been appointed the tour captain in his final swan song for SMUrugby. When asked how does he rate the team's chances for the TB5 tournament, he said:

"Even. We know we will be facing bigger players from France, Spain and Russia. But we will give them a hard time because we have nothing to lose. We have the right mix of youth and experience in this team - the old guards who have aged very well and the freshmen who are knocking at the door and eager to show their ambitions."

Derek Chan, recently named as the Player of the Season by the SMUrugby Players' Association in his first season at SMUrugby, has been named as the tour's vice captain. When asked what style of rugby can we expect to see from the team, he answered:

"The City Boys always feel better attacking than defending. We'll play the beautiful game. We'll give a show in every match!"

The squad of 14 representing SMUrugby in France:

1. Daniel Marc Chow (Captain)
2. Derek Chan (Vice Captain)
3. Vickneswaran s/o Sellathurai
4. Sherman Yeo
5. Nicolas Hwang aka Panzer
6. Alex Chew
7. Chew Yin Xiang aka Mouth
8. Daniel Lee
9. Melvin Teo aka Mok's Bro
10. Wang En Jian
11. Bryan Ng
12. Chong Wei Nurn
13. Matthias Lim
14. Benjamin Teong

We wish the 14 players all the very best in France.

Flight Details:
Air France

Changi Airport, Terminal 1

18th Apr - Singapore to Paris (AF 0257)
Departure/Arrival: 2255/0605

1st May - Paris to Singapore (AF 0256)
Departure/Arrival: 2330/0605

Thursday, April 2, 2009

A tribute to our graduating players

As the season is coming to a close, all thats left on the City Boys' calendar, is a trip to France to participate in the T5B Rugby 7s tournament held in Paris. This will be the last tournament for the season and will also be the very last for many of our old guards who have served SMU well.

SMUrugby will like to take time to salute our old guards who have served the City boys faithfully and who have certainly played an integral part in building up the team to what it is today.


Players who will leave at the end of this season under the "Bosman ruling".

1. Mok Wai Hon
2. Naresh
3. Lorenzo Escano
4. Vignesh Naidu
5. Lionel Poh
6. Daniel Marc Chow
7. Lim Wei Ming
8. Alex Chew
9. Desmond Wee
10. Tafa

Enjoy the video.

A tribute to the 2nd graduating batch of players from SMUrugby.



Time: 7:57