FIRST EVER FRIDAY NIGHT IN SCC 7S IS RESOUNDING SUCCESS
– Singapore Women’s National team thrash Malaysia and Indonesia in first round progressing to Cup semi-final of inaugural SCC Women’s International 7s
– Few surprises in first round of Ablitt Cup
SINGAPORE, 5 NOVEMBER 2010 – For the first time ever, games in the Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s were staged on a Friday night under floodlights, at the famous SCC 7s Padang Stadium. Thousands of fans packed the purpose built venue, enjoying the festival atmosphere as well as the world-class rugby on offer. There were few major surprises in the first round of pool games, with defending champions South African Vipers coasting to a 47-14 victory over Sri Lanka. HSBC Penguins, Davetalevu, Ponsonby and Japan were all also in impressive form as they recorded opening victories. The SCC were defeated by Horowhenua-Kapiti. Earlier in the day, Singapore beat Malaysia and Indonesia in the first SCC Women’s International 7s, while the opening rounds of the National Schools and Colleges Rugby 7s Championship were also staged on the Padang.
Peter Hutton, Chairman, SCC Rugby 7s Organising Committee, said: “Tonight has been a fantastic night for Singapore rugby. It signals the beginning of a new chapter in the SCC 7s, with games being played late into the evening on a Friday night, and the atmosphere in the stadium has been fantastic. We saw some great action tonight, but the big teams are only warming up and we are looking forward to two more days of spectacular rugby.”
In the first game of the tournament HSBC Penguins defeated Cottesloe 31-0. Ponsonby overcame a spirited Casuarina Cougars team 31-0. The Japan squad which will compete in the Asian Games crushed NT Mosquitoes 17-12, while an imposing Davetalevu team containing several Fijian internationals beat Palmyra 19-0. The South African Vipers delivered a commanding performance in their opening game and remain one of the tournament favourites despite coach Paul Treu playing down his team’s chances. Impressive wins were also recorded by COBRA, NS Wanderers, Borneo Eagles and Hong Kong Dragons.
Singapore opened their account in the first ever SCC Women’s International 7s with two victories, defeating Malaysia 27-0 and Indonesia 60-0. XXX was in great form, scoring X tries in the pool stages. Tomorrow, Singapore will tackle Hong Kong in the semi-finals of the cup. Hong Kong finished second in their group behind Japan, having suffered a 12-5 loss as well as beating India 20-0. Japan overcame India 29-0 in the other group game.
The 2010 SCC 7s continues over the weekend (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 November), at a purpose built festival arena at the Padang, capable of holding over 7,000 fans. Tickets are on sale at or the gate and are priced at $50 for three days for an adult and $25 for a weekend days for under-18s.
Ponsonby
SA Vipers
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Notes to Editors:
About the Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s
The Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby 7s is organised by the Singapore Cricket Club and is one of the oldest international invitational team sports events in Asia. What began as a humble tournament for Singaporean and Malaysian teams in the 1940s has grown to be regarded as a spectator friendly tournament with high playing standards. The mission of the tournament is to attract leading international and regional rugby teams, to provide a great spectator event and to further enhance the prestige of the Singapore Cricket Club. Surplus funds from the tournament are used for the development of rugby in Singapore, with a focus on youth rugby at schools and at grassroots level. The Singapore Cricket Club itself is one of Asia’s oldest sporting clubs and is the second oldest sports club in Singapore, junior by 10 years to the Singapore Sporting Club, now the Singapore Turf Club. The Singapore Cricket Club has a total of 13 sporting sections under its umbrella and some 3000 members. The Singapore Cricket Club is located at the magnificent Padang in the heart of Singapore’s business district.
For more information, please contact:
Natalie Carter / Fadilah Amir Hamzah / Joy Loh
Grayling
+65 6325 4606
natalie.carter@grayling.com / fadilah.amirhamzah@grayling.com / joy.loh@grayling.com
Jonathan Leow
Media, Publicity and Broadcast
Schools and Colleges Sevens Chairman
+65 9753 8065
jon.leow@sccrugbysevens.com
