Two Borneo teams vying for Cobra rugby title

PETALING JAYA: Sixteen teams including six local clubs will clash in the 47th Combined Old Boys Rugby Association ( Cobra) 10s over two days at MBPJ Stadium, Kelana Jaya, starting Nov 11.

Its organising chai rman Tan Sri Krishnan Tan said the tournament this year would be special as Cobra would celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club which was set up in 1967.

“We are very happy to hold this championship which will see 16 world class teams battling on Cobra’s anniversary celebration.

“We hope the tournament will improve the quality of rugby in the country and as hosts, Cobra will go all out to battle for the title,” he said.

Apart from Cobra, the other local teams are ERC Borneo Eagles, KL Tigers, Panthers Blowpipe RC, NS Wanderers as well as defending champions Sabah Eagles.

Meanwhile, the foreign clubs participating in the annual championship comprise Duka Old Boys and Western Province of South Africa; Singapore Barbarians ( Singapore); Daveta ( Fiji); Global Lions, Auckland Varsity Vipers and Nor th Harbour ( New Zealand); Charis Wolfpacks Rugby and West RFC (Australia).

All 16 teams are divided into four groups of four teams each.

For the record, Cobra were champions for six times – 1968, 1972, 1975 and 1977 ( Jointchampions with Sembawang Tigers of Singapore) 1998 and 2008.

The champions will take home a cash prize of US$ 10,000 (about RM42,335) while the runnersup will receive US$ 6,000 (about RM25,401). — Bernama