|
|
|
JOB WELL DONE … Pang presents the trophy to Penguins International team captain as Velaythan (left) looks on.
|
10th November, 2008
SANDAKAN: It was heartbreak for hosts team SRC Borneo Eagles in the 8th Borneo 10s Rugby Championship played at the Sandakan Rugby Club in Bandar Utama here yesterday.
They surrendered their title after losing 5-19 to newly crowned champs Penguins International of the United Kingdom in a closely contested final played on a slippery pitch.
Despite having home ground advantage and a vociferous crowd, the SRC Borneo Eagles failed to live up to expectations as Penguins International showed their prowess to deservedly walk home with the crown as well as the US$10, 000 prize money (RM35, 000).
And it was certainly a sweet, sweet victory for the Penguins International as it was the Borneo Eagles that denied them the crown in their maiden debut last year which was held at the Likas Stadium in the State Capital.
In fact, yesterday was a repeat final of last year’s edition of the tournament albeit that this time lady luck seemed to be in favour of the Penguins International.
In the action, Penguins International had the upper half as they pressured the SRC Borneo Eagles right from the first whistle.
The final match which is a 15-minute of each half saw the Penguins International take a healthy14-0 lead at half time after scoring two tries and two conversions.
The SRC Borneo Eagles managed to reduce the deficit soon after the second half resumed by scoring a try. Things looked to be all over for the hosts when Ratu Kanatabatu Tugiri was shown the red card.
Penguins International took full advantage of this situation when they managed to restore their 14-point lead by scoring their third conversion of the day and the score line remained in their favour until the final whistle.
Penguins’ International team manager Craig Brown said it was not an easy victory, as they have to sweat it out against the star-studded SRC Borneo Eagles who were strengthened by two All Black players in Karl James Leary and Kahn Fotualii.
The third New Zealanders, Alfred Penelise, could not take the field as he was injured.
“It was not an easy game. It was a close game and difficult at times but I’m happy that we won today,” he said.
He also thanked the organisers of the tournament, Sandakan Rugby Club and IJM Plantations Berhad, for inviting them, pointing out that it was worth coming here to compete this level.
“It was tough and difficult games right from the preliminary round stage,” he said.
Brown said that they will surely be coming back to defend their title if they get the invitation next year.
Meanwhile, SRC Borneo Eagles team manager KH Tan said the boys had done their best in trying to win the game.
“They gave everything and fought hard in the match. On another, we could have won, but this time, we have to accept defeat.
“The condition of the pitch did not help us at all because it was quite hard for us to execute our plans. That is not an excuse, but it is always difficult to play under the pitch conditions,” said Tan.
To make matters worse, the hosts’ second team–the Borneo Development Team– also suffered defeat in the Plate final.
The Borneo Development Team, who stunned Belgium Barbarians in the Plate semi-finals, was outclassed by the experienced Davetalevu of Fiji after succumbing to a 47-0 defeat.
In the Bowl final, SA Mustangs came back from behind to lift the crown after defeating Kenya Harlequins.
It was the Kenyans that started well by taking a 10-0 lead, but SA Mustangs managed to reduce the deficit on the stroke of half time with a try and conversion to see them resume the second half with a score line 10-7 in the Kenya Harlequins’ favour.
But a five-minute blitz, scoring two tries and converting one conversion, saw SA Mustangs walking home with the crown.
A total of 11 teams competed in the two-day tournament that was held together with the inaugural Borneo Women 7s that attracted four teams.
Thailand won the 1st Borneo Women 7s Rugby Championship after registering an easy win over Atlantis of the United State in the final. The Thai girls lifted the crown in style by remaining unbeaten en route to the 24-0 final clash.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Peter Pang was there to grace the closing ceremony. His assistant Datuk Jahid Jahim and Sabah Rugby Union President Velayuthan were also present.
|
