SDRU surpasses target to finish 4th in Labuan 10-a-side
SIBU: Sibu Division Rugby Union (SDRU) ended the year on a high note with its team finishing a respectable fourth in the Labuan 10-a-side championship recently.
A total of 20 teams, including red-hot favourite KK Old Students Combined Association ( OSCA), Brunei Flying Kukris and Kuala LumpurUTMBlackHawktookpart in the two- day championship.
SDRU chief coach Michael Ting said it was the first time they took part in the championship that had always attracted some of the top teams in the country to join.
“Our mission was to qualify for the quarter-final but we returned with the 4th placing. That was indeed something for us to cheer and be happy,’ he added.
Ting said the Labuan 10’ s concluded SDRU’s campaign for this year as they looked forward to another challenging 2017.
“With all the support rendered to SDRU, there is every possibility that we wil l draw up more competitions for next year and hopeful ly, scooped up more accolades.”
In the Labuan 10’s, SDRU was in Group A that also featured Brunei Flying Kukris, Sandakan Old Boys, Kuching Mad Cat and Labuan Islanders.
Powered by two Fijians, the veteran Iowane Sovabatua and PDRM’s Lemeki Tusla, SDRU easily topped the group after sweeping aside all its opponents. “The results were ful l of surprises and we never expect to top the group as it was the first time we took part in the Labuan 10’s,” Ting said, adding the top four teams in the group advanced to the semi-final.
In the semi-final, SDRU crossed path with OSCA but found the team too hot to handle and went down tamely at 0-26.
OSCA, spearheaded by three Fijians, went on to take the title after beating Victoria Rugby Club ( VRC) in the final showdown.
Labuan Maling took the 3rd placing after edging SDRU 10- 0.
“The trip is a good exposure and learning experience for SDRU and with the exception of the two Fijians, most of the other players are students.”
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