Singapore Slingshot Propels PWLS to Victory

HMS PWLS RFC continued their unbeaten deployment with a comfortable 31 – 10 victory over Wanderers RFC under lights in Singapore.

For once PWLS came out of the blocks firing taking an early lead and having scrum dominance. Frustratingly a sustained period of pressure in the oppositions 22 repeatedly came to nothing due to handling errors; playing in 35 degrees and 80% humidity made handling difficult. Wanderers struck back just after the 20 minutes’ water break with a powerful run from their large centre resulting in them crossing the try line. From the resulting restart the PWLS pack putting pressure on the opposition winning us a scrum, from which a well work move from the backline resulted in a score with PWLS go in at half time 12-5 up.

The 2^nd half brought a raft of changes, with a playing squad of 28 for the day, the coaching staff started to rotate through the players. This inevitably resulted in some loss of structure as new combinations were created across the field, but with over 100 players in the Rugby club from both Ships Company and EMF, the priority for the coaching team is giving access to as many players as possible for games.

In the final quarter PWLS got back in their grove resulting in a further 3 tries with Wanders scoring a late try to make the final score 31 – 10.

Unfortunately, one of the PWLS sustained a substantial knee injury and we wish him well in his recovery. 

A huge thank you from PWLS to Wanderers RFC for hosting us both on and off the pitch with the players enjoying the delights of Boat Quay in Singapore with members of the opposition. A special thanks must go to our referee for the evening who at the age of 14 was referring his first adult rugby match, who controlled the game excellently and has a bright future ahead of him.

Controlling a group of Matelots is not easy at the best of time, but he showed no hesitation in yellow carding the hulking figure of PWLS No.8 for backchat. 

Try scorers: Tom Holloway, Ash Mellows, Henry Brown, Ben Retter, Deri White.

Words by Mike Jones

Images by Mike Jones