The Editors have recinded on their well deserved CNY break to bring our faithful readers a festive update. This is in violation to the blogging industry's unwritten code of ethics whereby Xiaxue, Mrbrown and Mr Miyagi all embark on a +/- 2weeks break to celebrate the beloved Chinese New Year. We appeal to all readers to enjoy this post in silence and do not refer this incident to the Blogosphere's Court-Room of Anti-holiday Posts (CRAP for short). It was however due to this surprise blogging session that the Editors unwittingly uncovered an unsuccessful attempt by an individual to hijack the blog. As federal investigations are currently undergoing, we are unable to provide you readers with a name. Be assured that when the dust settles, we will shame him in public.

The blog has lingered on with a demoralising title 'ACS(I) stuns NTU' for the past week and it is with strong objections coming from our overseas correspondent cum part time Voodoo Witch Doctor Makavaliace that has convinced us the Editors to provide an update. Makavaliace is not with us in Singapore as he is not really a big fan of CNY. But come the Mooncake festival, round little lotus paste-filled mooncakes will bring out the beast in him. He is said to be the pioneer of Mooncake Appreciation Society in Australia and actively organises eat-all-you-can mooncake buffets in campus, reliving his previous lifestyle in the NTU campus all over again.

Despite the pause in the preparations for the Tri-Uni games, Makavaliace urges all the NTU rugby faithful to never lose heart in a game. No matter how trying the circumstances, or how unfit you are, always have HEART! And of coz, to tuck in your jerseys nicely, button up all the buttons and pull the socks all the way up. Yes even for the spectators. With all that, and an undying HEART, NTU Rugby will finish the season victorious. Expect to receive a mooncake hamper from him if that happens.

Meanwhile, the holidays are here to enjoy. The resident gossip network got wind of unconfirmed plans by NTU Van Wilder, Ah Kow to hold a kickass New Year gambling party at his Serangoon Gardens castle. Genting Corporation cabaret girls and poker dealers will be on hand to gather tips on casino operations from Ah Kow. We have not been able to confirm the guest lists but expect to see the biggest names in the rugby scene gracing this event. If you are not invited yet, I guess there is still the TCS 8 re-runs to watch. With this, the editors wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

Team NTU was cut to ribbons by an incisive ACS(I) outfit who looked a class apart in a 48-7 triumph.

It was a commendable performance from the schoolboys as they played the game with pace and precision while NTU was barely able to hang on to prevent an even bigger landslide. In a match that saw very little go right for Team NTU, a combination of handling errors and a shocking lack of urgency ensured they left the field exasperated.

At times, it was a traditional lesson in the ball beating the man. Other moments, it was a fury of commitment at rucks and mauls. All of it was a humbling learning lesson, and all but the dying minutes of it was comprehensive.

The tone of the match was set just after ten minutes when a well measured chip kick from the ACS(I) flyhalf saw his inside centre stepping through the defence to score untouched.

And only five minutes later, another instinctive chip-and-chase from the ACS(I) winger produced the second try for the schoolboys.

Team NTU edged their way back into territory and possession as the second quarter progressed. Yet even when they managed to string phases together, they were once again let down by handling errors. The boys were playing out of their skins and appeared to be far more confrontational in the breakdowns and contact situations.

The NTU forwards were lack-lustre and lethargic at times as they struggled at set-pieces and wilted under the lethal heat wave; and they were giving away far too much possession to pursue catch-up football. Fractured by the effort at set-pieces, their turnovers soared.

Woeful first-up tackling compounded by a failure to establish a territorial kicking game saw the Warriors put themselves under further unforced pressure.

Two further tries in the second quarter provided the schoolboys with a commanding lead going into the interval.

Team NTU started the third quarter brightly and pounded into the opposition territory with purpose. Just as the intensity and drive looks set to have returned, the Warriors frustrations only grew as they displayed poor ball security and an inability to sustain phases, committing a costly turnover with the line beckoning.

Midway through the third quarter, after several expansive phases, a neat break on the blind side by the ACS(I) skipper and outside centre found a gaping hole in defence; and he committed the last defender before flicking an inside pass for his inside centre to score under the bar.

Poor ball retention ensured the Warriors cough up turnovers instead of take their opportunities. Conversely, the schoolboys seemed content to sit on the ones they had already taken.

There were more snakes for NTU to swallow as a quick counter attack initiated from the ACS(I) fullback just inside his own half sparked off an outstanding try – the schoolboys with six players all having a touch before the winger scorching in beside the left corner flag.

Team NTU managed to salvage a well-earned try off five excellent forward phases before XP muscled over the line for a five pointer between the posts.

The rout ended with a final try from the schoolboys as they mauled off a textbook catch-and-drive from a 5m-lineout.

There was definitely no joy and the Warriors now have a huge task at hand to pick up the pieces.

Team NTU will look to make it four wins from four in this year’s pre-season campaign when they face Anglo Chinese School at Dover Road this Saturday morning.

Coach Lincoln Tan is using what little he has and making the most with it, simple and successful. The NTU forwards were committed to their pick-and-go game plan and it sparked off several key phases in their victory over ACJC last week.

“We got our driving game going against ACJC, and from a performance point of view, we made some huge steps forward. But we need to be better and go up a gear, because it is a continuous challenge for ourselves. We cannot afford to slip up,” said Coach Tan.

Coach Tan has also played down concerns in the number of unforced turnovers in previous games.

“The whole team’s going to take a more direct and aggressive approach this weekend and it’s clear that we weren’t exactly satisfied with how we were in the contact area last week,” revealed veteran Ah ‘Tiong’ Kow.

“It’s just about the individual’s taking ownership of that area. You know collectively the understanding was there, it was just the lack of communication that let us down,” claimed Coach Tan.

Walking Wounded:

The Boon Lay Warriors had an injury scare for centre-fullback-utility-forward ZZZ but he has recovered sufficiently to remain in contention for the starting lineup.

There was little joy for Team NTU on the ‘Salsa King’ injury saga, as the self proclaimed ‘C1 Legend’ has struggled to recover from a hamstring strain that was proving to be more troublesome than first thought. He is joined on the injury list by ‘Hairy Mal’, who suffered a knee strain that would keep him out for an indefinite period.