Asian Games squad down Sabah to lift SKH Memorial Cup
KUCHING: The RIMO 7s edged defending champions OSCA Warriors of Sabah 15-14 in an pulsating final to lift the Song Kheng Hai Memorial Sevens trophy at Song Kheng Hai Rugby Field yesterday.
RIMO 7s, who are the national sevens squad bound for the Asian Games in Jakarta, drew first blood as early as in the 3rd minute with a try from Muhammad Azwan Zuwari Mat Zizi but he failed to convert for two more points.
OSCA were quick in their reply three minutes later when Fiji import Dan Tilivarua scored his team’s first try. Jonathan Pius Souzah converted to put OSCA 7-5 ahead and that score remained until the end of first half.
After the interval, Muhammad Azwan scored his second try but again failed to make the conversion and the national side regained a three-point lead.
Muhammad Ameer Nasrun put RIMO 7s further ahead with the team’s third try.
In the exciting final minutes of the game, OSCA’s other Fiji import Sallivsu Gavidi burst through on the right flank to score a try followed by Jonathan’s convertion. It was a little too late for the Sabah warriors as RIMO 7s held on to the one- point margin until the final whistle.
In addition to the replica trophies, the champions received RM5,000 while the losing finalists pocketed RM2,500.
Sukma Sabah and ATM who rewarded RM2,000 and RM1,500 respectively for finishing third and fourth.
The Plate champions were Hanelang 7s who defeated Sukma Sabah 17-7 while KRFC beat WORC 14-5 in the Bowl final.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who closed the event, said the State government will ensure SRU will have a better rugby field.
“We have identified a piece of land at the Sarawak Stadium Complex where we will build two rugby fields and a cricket field.
“The state secretary (Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani) has endorsed the proposal and I shall meet the chief minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) to endorse it,” he said.
Karim added that while new rugby fields will be built at the Sarawak Stadium Complex, the Song Kheng Hai Rugby Field shall not only be preserved as a ground for rugby and recreational purposes but also upgraded with an artificial pitch.
“I would like to thank Sarawak Rugby Union president Richard Song and the committee for making this tournament a big success and also bringing in teams from West Malaysia and Sabah to uplift the standard of the competition,” said Karim.
Also present were Morshidi, Malaysia Rugby president Datuk Shahrul Yahya, SRU presdient Richard Song Swee Jin, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee, Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee, 1DIV commander Mej Jen Dato Toh Choon Siang and Kuching City North Commission mayor Datuk Abang Wahap Abang Julai.