Rhinos Sponsor Breakthrough Charity tour to Singapore

This year we returned to Singapore for our rugby tour, which was the location of our first ever tour back in 2006. We took 30 boys, 4 of the older boys as coaches and mentors, 3 social workers and Eric one of our ex-Breakthrough boys who is now studying in Singapore joined us there. In addition Richard, one of the Director’s sons, Gunny our head coach and I joined in at our own expense. Therefore in terms of numbers this was one of our biggest ever tours. As usual we had plenty of fun in the time leading up to the tour sorting out passports and travel documents for the boys, but this year all was arranged in plenty of time.

Training at the SCC

At HK Airport

After a good night’s rest we hit the road for a city tour, which unfortunately did not go so well. The Merlion was all covered up so some rich people could have a temporary hotel room with it in the middle of their bedroom. To cover up your main tourist icon in this way for two months struck me as very strange. Anyway it was then off to a temple and the inevitable shops, so we opted for an early lunch and a good rest back at the hotel.

Our first opponents were Raffles Institute, Singapore’s premier school. We started slowly and got three tries behind very quickly but instead of picking things up the boys’ heads went down and we never got into the game. We were very disappointing and only really threatened their line twice in the entire game. We eventually lost 72-0. It was very hot and humid but really that is no excuse we just didn’t seem to put the effort in.

A scrum on our line

The two teams after the match

The next day saw a trip to Universal Studios, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed despite the heat and the crowds. It might be small but it was great fun and just what we needed to get everyone happy again. My thanks go to Mike Horner, the ex HK Policeman, for his generous support of this outing. Then after a good rest at the hotel it was off to Temasek Polytechnic for an evening kick off against another strong team.

At Universal Theme Park

Enjoying the Park

We got off to our usual slow start and found ourselves two tries down very quickly and a centre short when R got dump tackled, necessitating a trip to hospital for a check up, which thankfully showed nothing seriously wrong. They scored again just before half time and we were 17-0 down at the break and it looked like we were heading for another big defeat as they were much bigger and stronger than us. However Gunny and Tank’s half time talk obviously stirred the lads up and in the second half we played some of the best rugby I’ve seen us play in a long time. Justin and Billy scored tries, which Andy converted. We were pushing up for the winner towards the end and left ourselves exposed so they managed to get one back just towards the end. The final result was 22-14, but what a difference a day had made. The lads really stepped up and acquitted themselves well, not allowing themselves to be intimidated by the bigger opposition.

With the Temasek Team after the Match

Action from the Match

The next day saw a trip to Megazip Theme Park on Sentosa Island, which was great, with many boys saying it was better and more fun than Universal Studios the previous day. The Park is owned by Alex Blythe who used to be in HK and he kindly gave us some excellent rates. The adventure rope course and the tower jump proved very nerve racking for your scribe, who in fact chickened out on the jump! The huge zip line from the top of the hill over the beach and water to an Island was amazing. A swim and football on the beach followed, before we headed off to China Town and the shops.

At Megazip Theme Park

Enjoying the Beach

The evening saw a trip to the night zoo, which is great fun but on Good Friday when they are having a contest to see if they can break the world record for visitors and the temperature is in the high 30s is not perhaps the best time to visit. Still we saw some amazing animals and the Court on the bus there meant four people were dressed up rather strangely giving other tourists a laugh. Tsz Lam certainly regretted waking his roommate in such an ungentlemanly way.

At the night zoo (spot those fined at Court)

Press Ups before boarding the Plane

Saturday morning saw some time for last minute shopping and then it was off to the airport for the trip back to HK. Court reconvened just before the flight and a number of lads who had kept us waiting during the tour were punished with some press-ups. The flight was rather subdued with some very tired people catching their buses home.

For some the matches on tour were their last game for Breakthrough as they will be too old next year but hopefully they will move onto the Police senior teams, if their jobs allow them the time off on Saturdays. For others it was their first taste of touring and travelling abroad and I am sure they will be back for more.

Another great trip and my special thanks to everyone who made it possible, your generous donations were greatly appreciated. I would particularly like to thank Eccles and Lee Patent Attorneys, Ageas Insurance Company, Allen and Overy, Stretchline Holdings Ltd, Dr David Owens, Dave Bateson, Ted Devereux, Almond Lee, Rhinos RFC, Brian Mahoney, “Skinny” Dick Ferne, Phil Crotty, Dick Peasley and Mark Tam.

Home, safe and sound

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