NTU started their 2007 pre-season campaign with a neat 12-0 win over an ever-sporting SAJC team at Potong Pasir last evening.

Although Head Coach Lincoln Tan was looking on the bright side after guiding the Boon Lay Warriors to their first win under his helm, he certainly wasn’t reading anything too much into last evening’s victory. Coach Tan’s mind was more focused on the improvements and adjustments he would be making during the next training after declaring himself satisfied with yesterday’s game.

“It was a good hit-out, we wanted to have a look at some combinations and some of the new players, and obviously everything is still building up for the Warriors,” Coach Tan said.

“It’s about trying things so that we can pick it to pieces later, analyse it and make changes,” Tan said.

Coach Tan gave each of his troops at least 20 minutes on the paddock and was most pleased by the efforts of back-rower ‘Tiger Slayer’ Alvin.

“Alvin had a solid game, he still has a bit to learn but he’s getting there,” Coach Tan said.

The delay in transportation, torrid weather and pungent pitch probably played a part in leading to the sluggish start, with NTU stuck in first gear for the early part of the match.

It wasn’t hard to tell that the match was the first of the year, as the Warriors struggled to find any momentum on attack during the opening exchanges.

The Saints forwards showed commitment at breakdown situations and displayed a tenacious effort in stopping larger juggernauts in ‘Hairy Mal’ and skipper Arjun ‘Show It’ Pandey. Their inside backs were equally a standout in defence, thwarting several breaking efforts from ‘Potato’ Thiam and ‘Mat Solo’ Adam. Despite launching decent waves of attack, the Warriors were unable to penetrate a well-organised blanket defence.

The early urgency was lacking and attacking moves were riddled with handling errors throughout the match. The first half ended in a stalemate, with the men in black marginally the better team, their physicality and experience making a telling difference.

However, the pace and skill picked up slightly in the second half. Positives for the Warriors included a solid forward effort, setting the platform for the backs to capitalise with more precision on a phase switch, with Thiam sending ‘Lao Ying’ diving over the line for his debut try of the season and his first for NTU.

NTU finally ran away with the opening pre-season encounter in the last 10 minutes by scoring the second unanswered try. A break by ‘Mat Solo’ Adam off a well worked backline move led to 'Amino Acid' Ash muscling over the line for a five pointer.

“It was nice to win, but certainly we’re looking more at patterns, combinations and individuals,” said forward-specialist player-coach, Rebel Rong.

When asked about his decision to sit out of the pre-season opener, Rebel Rong revealed, “There’s no point for me to hurt these kids. They are just school boys. Even though I’m DAMN good, I’m not going out there to destroy young boys. I’m saving everything for the actual IVP.”

The NTU SELECTORS were pleased with a wining start to the pre-season and the rotation policy that enables playing time and exposure for everyone.

“We can confirm that further matches are in arrangement to ensure this continuity and preparations for the upcoming IVP,” said the NTU SELECTORS.