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.