Sandakan: The SRC Eagles lived up to its reputation as the favourites in the Under-19 category of the IJM-MSSM Rugby Age-Group tournament when they beat SM La Salle, 10-0 in the final that was played at the IJM field at the district sports complex here, Saturday. For the win, SRC Eagles, which is a development team, took home the RM1,400 prize money as well as trophies while SM La Salle had to be contented with RM900 as well as medals and trophies.
In the third-fourth place play-off for the same category, SM Teknik Keningau, the surprise package of the whole tournament fought off the challenge from OSCA, another development team, 7-5, to bring home the RM500 prize money as well as trophies.
In the Under-16 category, Maktab Sabah beat SMK Kinabutan, Tawau, 17-0, to clinch the title, while SM Pengiran Omar of Sipitang finished third after hammering SNK Sung Siew, 12-0, in the play-off for third and fourth placing.
Even though their seniors may have lost in the Under-19 final, the La Sallian Under-14 salvaged some pride for the school after a hard-fought 5-0 win over SMK Sung Siew to be crowned champions in the category.
Maktab Sabah placed third after over-whelming the hapless SM Sains Lahad Datu, 29-0 in the play-offs.
The Under-11 category saw the boys of SK Kukusan, of Tawau, walk away with the title after an exciting 10-5 win over SK Mawar, Sandakan. Third-place went to SK Taman Rimba (A).
Meanwhile, Sabah Rugby Union President, Vella Tan, who was present during the entire tournament, said he was impressed with the quality performances shown by all the participating teams.
"The performances has certainly improved compared to previous events, especially SM Teknik Keningau, who are participating for the first time," he said after the prize presentation ceremony.
He further said that he was encouraged by the development, in particular, the number of teams that competed, adding that he hoped more schools would send teams to the tournament in the future.
"We will be sending invitations earlier next year to schools to give them time to prepare their team for the tournament but all in all, I am very pleased and consider it a morale-booster to rugby development in the State,' he said.
Tan also pointed out in future events SRU will be giving more emphasis on the development of the Under-9 and Under-12 rugby players, which was important for the sport in the long-term, but stressed that other age groups would not be neglected.
He expressed his hopes that the success of the tournament would inspire more corporate bodies to do their part in the development of the sport, saying that this was needed to help organise more tournaments to provide the State's young rugby players with match exposure as well as develop fitness and techniques.
