Double celebration for Sandakan
Borneo Eagles, Sandakan Rugby Club’s first choice team defeated the reigning champions and hosts COBRA, to win the coveted Hui Weng Choon trophy and prize money of 3,000 US Dollars, at the 40th edition of the COBRA Tens last weekend.
The Eagles based in the Malaysian state of Sabah have been a force to be reckoned with in Asian seven and ten a-side tournament for some years now, but this is the first time they have won the COBRA Tens, which became an international tournament back in 1992, since their first visit in 2005.
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Borneo Eagles at the recent SCC Sevens |
The Eagles with thirteen foreign imports in their squad and coached by former Fiji sevens great Tomasi Cama topped their group on day one and then annihilated RMR Warrior 76-0 in the quarter-final. They then comfortably saw off the threat of British based invitational side Penguin International, who had started the tournament as co-favourites along with the hosts, before routing COBRA 32-10 in the final.
Apenisa Vasutago with two, Aaron Bancroft and James Ryan Marshall all scored tries in the final along with player of the tournament, under 20 All Black Benjamin Frano. A try in each half for COBRA by Sean Morell and Sckove Tura couldn’t halt the Eagles and their manager K.H.Tan was delighted saying, “It is always special to win a prestigious title for the first time.”
Sandakan Rugby Club and their benefactors IJM Plantations, who have done so much to raise the profile of rugby in Sabah, had cause for a double celebration after their second team, Sabah Eagles lifted the bowl trophy after defeating the Indian Invaders, in effect the Indian national team.
The plate trophy was won by NS Wanderers, who have dominated the abbreviated versions of rugby in South East Asia over the last few months. They had lost to Penguin International in the cup quarter-final, but recovered to triumph over NNK of South Africa.
Image courtesy: David Hodges
