In a foreign land, amidst a different culture and a different language, the NUS Women’s Rugby team played a series of matches over two days, including the first-ever university level 15-aside contact game. Despite the harsh weather, unfamiliar environment and the language barrier, the girls played each match with spirit and heart and forged strong friendships, both local and overseas.

The first day marked an uncertain start with the eccentric weather. Intermittent showers and blazing hot sun in between left the pitch muddy and water-logged. The NUS girls were set to play 10-aside games against three teams from Bangkok: BUU, YOU and IPE.

While both teams put up a good fight, the first half of the NUS A vs. BUU match ended off with a draw. NUS A fought strong with more possession throughout, though a couple of slip-ups caused them a few penalties. BUU threatened with a strong comeback at the start of the second-half, nearly scoring a try, however were prevented by the persistent defence of Shuwen and Angel. Their second near-try attempt gave NUS the chance to fight back, catching them off guard as the NUS A backs swiftly turned over the ball, breaking through BUU’s defence line with Yilin scoring the winning try and sealing our victory with a successful conversion.

The second game of NUS B vs. YOU was indeed a fast-paced and exciting one, with a final score of 15-5 to NUS B. With barely two minutes into the game, Esther scored with a fake and side-step after receiving the ball off a scrum. Thereafter, Caslin scored by picking up the ball from a ruck at the third minute, and scored again six minutes into the game, pumping and breaking through a couple of tackles from YOU. At the 13th minute, Sylvia pushed through the tackles near the try-line and scored, giving NUS B a clear lead in the game. Although YOU scored one try in the second-half, the girls defended well thereafter and the game ended off with a win for NUS B.

The IPE vs. NUS B game was equally exhilarating, with NUS B winning 34-5. Good attack phases and strong defence led the girls to victory, with four of the six tries being scored in the first half of the game. IPE fought back in the second half, scoring a try five minutes into the game, but the girls triumphed overall with a solid defence line.

Heavy downpour in the fourth game YOU vs. NUS A made it a really difficult one, as poor visibility and bad field conditions caused both teams to struggle as they played on despite the rain. Sheer perseverance and willpower of the team drove them on, with Yilin scoring an amazing try in the first-half of the game and boosting their morale. The second-half of the match proved to be a tougher one, with strong defence by YOU. Towards the end of the second half, Sophie sealed the win after fighting hard and breaking through a tackle by YOU, scoring a try. However, YOU exhibited good team spirit, out-running us and stealing back a try before the game ended.

Towards the end of the day, fatigue seemed to have crept up onto the girls. The last two matches of NUS B vs. BUU and IPE vs. NUS A ended with a draw of 5-5 and a loss of 15-5 to IPE respectively, with Caslin scoring a try in the BUU game and Yilin scoring a try in the IPE game, both in the second-half of their games.

Overall, the first day of matches proved to be a trying one, with fierce defence from all three Thai teams and the crazy weather. Yet despite it all, the girls played with their hearts, learning from each game and fighting hard towards victory each time.

- Val Tham.

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