The Singapore Memerang have qualified for the 2025 Asian Championship Final after a convincing 48 – 4 victory over the Japan Samuari in the opening play-off match held at the International School Manila in the Philippines.
Played in front of a sell out crowd, the Memerang controlled the momentum of the match, with South Sydney junior, Tylan Berriman, impressing on the field and contributing twenty points to the match score through two tries and six goal conversions.
Supporting the team’s total tally were fellow try scorers Cuba Cleaven-Vanderlaak (who collected a double), Tyreeq Salleh-Meadows, Liam Oatley, Rahul Baskar, and Lucius Yau. The Memerang were flawless from the tee, with both Berriman and fullback Jake Tobin maintaining a 100% success rate with the boot throughout the match.
First half dominance
Singapore wasted no time, scoring in just the second minute when Tylan Berriman split the Japanese defenders off the back of a scrum from 20 meters out. He converted his own try to establish a swift 6-0 lead.
The Memerang’s second try followed quickly in the fifth minute after a sweeping play finished with Wayne Baxter setting up winger Cuba Cleaven-Vanderlaak for the score.
The momentum continued when a darting run from Andy Hoang in the 25th minute set up strong field position, allowing Berriman to cross for his second try.
Before the break, the Memerang scored twice more: in the 31st minute, Berriman and Tobin combined to send Cleaven-Vanderlaak over for his second, and just before half-time, Tyreeq Salleh-Meadows capitalized on a tiring Japanese defence, quickly tapping and darting over to extend the lead to a dominant 30-0.
Second half consolidation
The points didn’t flow as freely in the second half for the Memerang with Liam Oatley needing to wait until the 53rd minute to add to the Singapore total.
Japan finally got on the scoreboard in the 65th minute when Tokyo Warriors captain and Japan halfback Geo Louw created an opportunity for winger Sammy Hooper to score. However, Kazan Watanabe was unable to add the extras, making the score 36-4.
The Memerang finished strong, adding two late tries. In the 73rd minute, a Tyrell Anton highball set up the next score when Rahul Baskar capitalized on a dropped ball, with Tobin adding the crucial conversion. The final score came three minutes from time when Tobin and Baskar combined to put Singapore on the attack, with Lucius Yau finishing off the play. Tobin’s final conversion sealed the comprehensive 48-4 victory.
Preparing for the Final
The Singapore Memerang will now face the winner of the Hong Kong Thunder and Philippines Tamaraws play-off in Saturday’s Final with the winner to claim the inaugural Asian Championship.
SINGAPORE MEMERANG 48 DEFEATED
Tries: Tylan Berriman 2, Cuba Cleaven-Vanderlaak 2, Tyreeq Salleh-Meadows, Liam Oatley, Rahul Baskar, Lucius Yau
Goals: Tylan Berriman 6, Jake Tobin 2
JAPAN SAMUARI 4
Tries: Sammy Hooper
Goals: Kazan Watanabe 0
