25 July, 2010
The KK Sharks RFC are the 2010 Labuan 10's Cup Champions. In a hard-fought final the Tanjung Aru-based rugby club overcame a strong University Technology Mara (Sabah Campus) side. While the conventional 15-a-side version of the sport is the most well known, rugby 10's (also known as ten-a-side rugby) is a variant of the game that is thriving in Malaysia.
Saturday's event was the 9th edition of this annual tournament, which is one of the biggest tournaments in the East Malaysian rugby calendar, and it took place in Labuan at the LDA padang, located near to the Financial Park.
The KK Sharks faced stiff competition from the beginning being drawn in the same group as the Sabah Eagles, one of Malaysia's strongest teams.
However, they emerged from the "group of death" in first place and earned the right to go into the Cup stage full of confidence. The first Cup semi-final pitted defending champions UiTM Sabah against the SEAHAWKS (Royal Malaysian Airforce) from West Malaysia. UiTM emerged victorious. In the second Cup semi-final saw Tawau Rugby Club take on the KK Sharks. It was a scrappy game but the Sharks were too strong for Tawau. The well-organised KK Sharks defence pressurised the Tawau team and led to an interception try for KK Sharks captain Azrul Apo. Another late try by the Shark's captain sealed the win.
In the final UiTM and the KK Sharks - quite evenly matched teams - went head-to-head in an intense battle. In the first half the Sharks struck first and took a 12 -0 lead with tries by Philip Simon and Zoolhisharm Zulkarnain. In the second half the UiTM Sabah team pulled back with a converted try to make it 12 - 7 which setup a grandstand finish. However the KK Sharks held on to capture their first ever Labuan 10's trophy.
The next big event on the local rugby calendar is the SRU President's Cup, a 15-a-side rugby competition to decide who will be the 2010 Sabah Champions.
UPCOMING RUGBY EVENTS
Event : 'GILBERT' SRU President's Cup
Date : Dates have been differed until further notice
Venue : TBC
Event : Agung's Cup
Date : Dates have been differed until further notice
Venue : TBC
Event : SRU Charity Dinner
Date : 7th August, 2010 (Saturday)
Venue : TBC
Event : Jonah Jones 7s
Date : 25th & 26th September, 2010
Venue : Royal Selangor Club, Selangor D.E
Event : BARAM Trophy
Date : November, 2010
Venue : Miri
Organiser : Miri Rugby Union
Event : Miri 7s
Date : October, 2010
Venue : Miri, Sarawak
Event : Borneo 7s
Date : 30th & 31st October, 2010
Venue : Likas Sports Complex, KK
Event : Cobra 10s
Date : 14th & 15th November, 2010
Venue : Padang Utara, PJ.
Event : KK Sharks Tour
Date 11th to 15th November, 2010
Plan ~ Friendly match btwn KK Sharks n Cobra Stingers
Date ~ 12th November, 2010 (Friday)
Time ~ 5.00pm
Veue ~ Padang Utara, PJ
~ attending the Cobra 10s tournament.
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