Sabah Osca Warriors champions of 15s Rugby League C’ship
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Osca Warriors (SOWRC) justified their top billing in their title defence of KASI Group Kota Kinabalu 15s Rugby League Championship at the Penampang Sports Complex near here recently.
The defending champion SOWRC was up against first time finalists Sabah Barbarians Old Boys (SABORC) in the main Cup final and they did not disappoint after registering a 15-10 win.
SOWRC drew first blood when they opened the score with a penalty through Jonathan Sauzah for a 30 lead before Marommie Roland ensured they led the first half 8-0.
In the second half, SOWRC controlled the game but were unable to make any try with SABORC comprising exUiTM students putting up a strong defence.
It was not until 10 minutes after the break that SOWRC scored another try through Marommie while the subsequent conversion was successfully converted by Jonathan for them to lead by 15-0.
SABORC responded through Eddie Masrin’s try to make it 15-5 and in the last minute, a try from Razitaman Kaalam saw them trail by just five points (15-10) but it was a little too late to stage a fightback.
That allowed SOWRC to clinch the main Cup title to be crowned champions of the league.
In the third and fourth placed play-offs for the Cup category, last year’s Cup runners-up defeated Penampang-based Sabah OSCA Warriors Pangaits 17-10 to settle for third placing.
Monsters Rugby won the Plate title after beating Keningau Crocs 23-5.
A total of 11 teams from around Kota Kinabalu and Keningau took part in the championship.
Meanwhile, the tournament organising committee expressed gratitude to KASI Group CEO, Datuk Captain Walter Nair, for his support of the tournament.
In his speech, Walter said, KASI will keep on sponsoring the championship as they feel it was a social and community responsibility to give back to the youth and to sports in Sabah, especially rugby.
Managing director of KASI Group, Benjamin Nair, represented his father at the ceremony.
The tournament committee went on to thank Penampang Sports Complex manager, William Sipaji, who had been very supportive to bring back Penampang to its prime in rugby like in the old days as well as the sponsors, including Puan Sri Diana Diego, KK Drinks Sdn. Bhd, Rugger District, Ararat Sports, Jesselton Group, Kuckreja and also ATF Sports taping.