Kuching beat Sibu to lift SRU President Cup
KUCHING: The Kuching Division Rugby Association ( KDRA) ended a 21-year wait for the Sarawak Rugby Union ( SRU) President Cup challenge trophy when they beat Sibu Division Rugby Union ( SDRU) 12- 5 in the final at Song Kheng Hai Rugby Ground last Sunday.
It was Sibu who scored the first try through David Becham Jephari in the 16th minute for a 5- 0 lead but Joseph Wong Khing Jiun failed to convert.
Kuching drew level six minutes later a fter Mohd Mahadzir Marzuki scored a try which was also not converted.
Both sides tried very hard but remained tied 5- 5 at the end of the first half.
Af ter the interval David Becham was sacked by the referee for a second offence in the 56th minute, giving Kuching the advantage of playing against 14 men.
In the second half both teams exchanged raids and dogged defence until the 79th minute when Wan Aminuddin Wan Mahmud scored the winner and Christopher Joshua converted to seal Kuching’s victory.
While saluting the efforts of his own players Kuching head coach Zulkaranainhisham Sarbini was also quick to pay tribute to Sibu’s long stranglehold on state rugby supremacy.
“This is a historic achievement for KDRA and a long awaited dream come true for Kuching to
This is a historic achievement for KDRA and a long awaited dream come true for Kuching to regain the Sarawak President Cup Rugby 15s title from Sibu, the giants of club and senior rugby in Sarawak.
regain the Sarawak President Cup Rugby 15s title from Sibu, the giants of club and senior rugby in Sarawak.
“They have kept the title for 21 long years since Kuching have won it in 1997 and that is a highly respected achievement for Sibu rugby all these years,” he said.
Besides praising the players and fellow coaches he commended the KDRA management including president Azizul Adenan and secretary Azfar Zubri and supporters.
“We will come back stronger to defend the title next year,” he vowed.
Meanwhi le, Miri Division Rugby Association finished third after beating Betong Rugby Association 55-12.
The tournament, which was sponsored by SRU, was jointly organised by KDRA and Kuching Rugby Football Club.
KDRA patron Dr Hazland Hipni, who is also Demak Laut assemblyman, gave away the prizes.
A lso pr e s ent wer e SRU president Richard Song Swee Jin and SRU officials.
Zulkaranainhisham Sarbini, Kuching head coach