SINGAPORE - Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) retained their Schools National B Division rugby title as they fended off Raffles Institution (RI) 25-12 on Wednesday (March 29).

ACS(I) were quick to take the lead, with fly-half Matthew Lim cutting through the RI defence to score the first try of the game within 10 minutes at the Physical, Sports & Outdoor Education Branch (Peseb) Stadium at Evans Road.

Though they failed to convert the try, the defending champions soon extended their lead through Aran James Willetts' successful penalty as ACS (I) ended the first half with an 8-0 lead.

RI responded after the break with a try from captain Gideon Kee minutes after the restart to make it 8-5 before a second penalty kick from ACS (I) pushed them clear at 11-5.

That advantage disappeared when RI's No. 8 Ray Sek scored a try before team-mate Bervyn Wong converted the extra two points and the team in green took a surprise 12-11 lead.

ACS (I) regained the lead when a series of quick passes opened up the play to release outside-centre Finan Siow who burst through the flank and scored.

Captain Lam Wei Xuan settled the entertaining match with ACS (I)'s third and final try in the closing minutes.