The Singapore Memerang have gone down 30–24 in a tight, see-sawing affair against Vanuatu at Korman Stadium in Port Vila.
Anthony Delaivuna opened the scoring for Vanuatu in the 5th minute, darting from dummy-half and capitalising on a strong energetic run from Yannick Korikalo. Pushing over next to the uprights made it an easy conversion for Andrew Kaltonga, giving the home team an early 6–0 lead.
Vanuatu extended their lead in the 14th minute when Harrison Nally crossed out wide, reaping the rewards of back-to-back possession.
Singapore hit back at the quarter-hour mark when Jake Tobin crossed in the corner. Converting his own try, he helped the visitors claw their way back to trail 10–6. Judah Jury was desperately unlucky not to score at the half-hour mark, with Vanuatu’s scrambling defence denying him on the line.
However, Tiernan O’Rourke took matters into his own hands just before the break, busting through multiple defenders to score. Tobin added the extras to give the Memerang a 12–10 lead at halftime.
Vanuatu were the first to strike after the change of ends, shifting the ball wide for centre Anro Kalpukai to score and retake the lead. Jury finally got his reward in the 54th minute, crossing for a try to put Singapore back in front.
Xiaoh Faerua then led the comeback for Vanuatu. He crossed the line just three minutes later, before backing it up with a second try seven minutes after that to hand the home team a 24–18 advantage.
With just minutes left on the clock, Jury scored his second of the match to lock the scores up at 24-all. But it was heartbreak for the visitors, as Martin Tamara scored for Vanuatu in the final seconds of the game to snatch a dramatic victory for the home side.
VANUATU MEN’S TEAM 30 DEFEATED
Tries: Xiaoh Faerua 2, Anthony Delaivuna, Harrison Nally, Anro Kalpukai, Martin Tamara
Goals: Andrew Kaltonga 3
Squad: Amani Arutahiki, Martin Tamara, Anro Kalpukai, Keane Williams, Xiaoh Faerua, Harrison Nally, Andrew Kaltonga, Max Taleo, Anthony Delaivuna, Keleto David, Ben Lui, Josh Bradford, Yannick Korikalo; Interchange: Hamish Henderson, Daniel Kaltapang, Ala Yorgan, Cameron Eddage, Stephen Tanga
SINGAPORE MEMERANG 24
Tries: Judah Jury 2, Jake Tobin, Tiernan O’Rourke
Goals: Jake Tobin 4
Squad: Jake Tobin, Izzy Azmi, Connor Postlewaite, Wayne Baxter, Cuba Cleaven-Vanderlaak, Edward Negus, Tiernan O’Rourke, Tyrell Anton, Tom Chamberlain, Tyreeq Salleh-Meadows, Liam Postlethwaite, Lucas Dulat, Brendan Liu; Interchange: Judah Jury, Fynn Postlethwaite, Oisin McCann, Leon Loh, Jordan Spencer
