On Saturday 14th of March, a team of 11 girls from the Touch Rugby team (plus one DragonBoater :D) represented Ngee Ann in the inaurugal M1 Intro to Contact Rugby, 7s aside Carnival, 2009.

We faced teams like Singapore Management University, National University of Singapore and Republic Polytechnic. The Carnival was held in a Round-robin format and the teams that were in Pool A were Bukit Batok Secondary School, SMU and NP.

First match against BBSS saw NP conceding 1 try but winning the game with 2. The game ended 10-5, to NP. (Try Scorers: Pui San and CC)

We then faced SMU which had a few experienced players. Our strong defence and fearless girls held them and the opponents could not find their way to the try line. The score was 10-0, to NP when the final whistle blew. (Try Scorers: Pui San and Eudora)

Topping Pool A, we met Republic Poly (2nd from Pool B). Attacks from them were agressive, sending our girls in and out of the sub box frequently. Though they broke through our defense line many times, the girls chased relentlessly and eventually caught up to bring them down. With some good communication, quick hands and good support, NP scored the first try. A second try was claimed by NP through fast responses and the smart usage of the gaps. The score was 10-0 at half-time. Feathers were ruffled when the heat and fatigue started to set in during the second-half. But NP stayed strong and we prevailed 10-0, sending us through to the Finals. (Try Scorer: Eudora - 2Tries)

We faced NUS in the final game. Good ball-handling skills were evident from the NUS team as they seem always being able to catch sudden flicks of the ball. With hard tackles from NP, we were not going down easy on them either. NUS scored in the last few minutes of the first half de to a lapse in NP's concentration and communication. With very little substitutes compared to our opponents who had enough to form 2 teams, we were tired, burnt and frustrated at half-time. With a few pointers and encouraging words from Coach Angela and Co-Coach MeiJie, we were psyched and wanted the win. Unfortunately, mid-way through the second half, a hard tackle triggered an old injury on Pui San's problematic right shoulder when she landed on it, forcing her to sit out. NP conceded another try during the last few minutes of the game because of a unclear call by the Referee. The score stood at 10-0 till the very end.

We would like to thank the supporters who came down and offered their services as water-ladies. Also, NP wishes extend their heart-felt thank-you to Phin Lee, for playing and training alongside with us, though she was not bound to. Thank You!

Okay, enough of the formal talk! HAHA! I'm very proud of our results considering the fact that we have only been training for merely 2 weeks! We fought hard under that torturous weather and held our defense line very well for most of the games. Though our bodies are tired, burnt, injured, aching, bruised, sore, with abrasions all over (and many more), I really really had fun and at the same time sad as this tournament is the last time CC and Oats will be playing for NP and with us. *Tear* But I'm sure we will continue to see them in the rugby arena, so let's wish them all the best!

PHOTOS WILL BE UPLOADED SOON!