Volcanoes rally in 2nd half to repulse Singapore

The Volcanoes thanked the fans for the support after the huge win. Ivan Saldajeno

By Ivan Saldajeno

CALAMBA--The Philippine Volcanoes drew first blood against Singapore in the Asia Rugby Championship Division 1 series with a 32-24 win at the Southern Plains Rugby Field on Saturday.

The Volcanoes turned the tides in the second half to gain a head start in their two-game series.

Behind a scoring spree from Jonathan Barber, Singapore quickly opened a 14-5 lead 24 minutes into the match.

But just before halftime, Joe Dawson found an open lane at the right flank following a scrum and went all the way to the end zone for the try. Daniel Matthews scored the ensuing conversion that cut the lead to just two, 14-12, at halftime.

The one-possession swing sparked the Volcanoes' second half show.

Matthews converted a penalty a little over seven minutes into the half, while Dawson scored on another try to open a 20-14 lead for the Philippines.

Singapore retook the lead when Ishraff Marah converted the extra points off a Xavier Docourneau try midway into the second half.

But substitutes Rob Fogerty and Edlen Hernandez took over.

Fogerty provided the energy for the Volcanoes with his go-ahead try in the 73rd minute with Matthews completing the and-2.

Hernandez then made the dagger try for the Volcanoes in added time to the delight of the crowd.

Marah drilled a long-range penalty for the final tally.

Both teams will face off again on Tuesday at the said venue.

In the first game, London-based Penguins Rugby Club proved to be too much for the Volcanoes' developmental side Residents XV after a 67-10 rout.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno