Kuala Lumpur (26 February, 2016): Host The Malay College Kuala Kangsar All Blacks opened their campaign in the sixth edition of the MCKK Premier 7s Rugby Championships with a thumping 36-0 victory over Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Kubang Pasu in the first round in Kuala Kangsar today.
The 2013 champions, whose challenge last year fizzled out in the semi finals stage, were simply in their element as they brushed aside their opponents with three goals and three tries in this Group C match.
“It was a great start for MCKK and I am happy with how they played against Intergrasi Kubang Pasu. The forwards and backline played a good game but we have to win all our matches as our target is to make the final,” said MCKK All Blacks head coach, Khusainy Ishak.
“I would reckon that we have to watch out for the three foreign teams and local sides SSTMI and STAR if we ever meet them along the way. My boys will have to play to win in every match. There are no easy matches in this tournament,” he added.
Mohammad Syafiq Desa opened scoring for MCKK with a try early in the game before Wan Muhammad Farhan Wan Fadzli made it 10-0 with a brilliant run down the left flank line. MCKK went up 17-0 before the interval with a goal – combination of Wan Muhammad Farhan’s try and Mohammad Kazim Azli conversion.
MCKK shot ahead 22-0 via Mohammad Syafiq’s second try two minutes after the interval and clearly dominated play with another goal with a superb combination by Hilmi Aqil Khamdi try and Mohammad Kazim conversion to go 29-0 up.
The hosts closed the day’s chapter with another resounding performance from Mohammad Kazim’s try with 65 seconds remaining as Tun Muhamad Haziq Tun Mahadi converted to win 36-0.
In other matches played today, SM Sains Hulu Selangor defeated SMK King Edward VII 15-5 in Group A while SM Sains Pokok Sena opened their Group B campaign on a winning note with a 17-5 win over Sabah College Kota Kinabalu.
Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ipoh ruled over MRSM Kuala Terengganu 24-12 in Group D match, Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Gombak edged SMK ABI 17-15 in Group E and in the last match of the day SM Haji Othman Abdul Wahab from Sarawak downed SM Taman Kosas 21-10.
Defending champions Hong Kong Sports School, 2014 champions Scots College from New Zealand and Singapore-based Australian International School (AIS) will go into action tomorrow.
The Hong Kong boys go into showdown with Sekolah Sultan Shah Alam in the first match of the day followed by Scots College against Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Interegrasi Kuantan and AIS take on Kolej Yayasan Saad of Malacca.
Scots College head coach, Malcolm Bradshaw, however, was impressed with MCKK after watching the 111-year old college manoeuvre past their opponents with ease.
“It was a fantastic match and I believe MCKK All Blacks will always be a team to watch. On a good day they are capable of causing an upset,” said Bradshaw. “We are here with a couple of 14 and 15 year-old players. There are only two players who are 16 years of age so I believe the challenge will be much even.”
The MCKK Premier 7s 2016 Rugby Championships under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak, DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfurlah is co-organised by Malay College Kuala Kangsar and All Blacks Revival (ABR) Committee of The Malay College Old Boys’ Association (MCOBA).
Telekom Malaysia Berhad is the Title Sponsor of the MCKK Premier 7s 2016 Rugby Tournament while the major sponsors are Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Ranhill Bhd, Cyberview Sdn Bhd, Scomi, Ernst & Young, Casuarina Hotels, RF Empire Resources, Proton, Modenas, KPJ Healthcare Bhd, Aimar Resources (Carisbrook), Supreme Landmobile & Wireless Corporation, SA Cargo Sdn Bhd, Disitu Holdings, Milo, New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd and Big Tree Outdoor Sdn Bhd.
Results (Day 1) – Group A: SM Sains Hulu Selangor bt SMK King Edward VII 15-5.
Group B: SM Sains Pokok Sena bt Sabah College Kota Kinabalu 17-5
Group C: The Malay College Kuala Kangsar bt Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Kubang Pasu 36-0
Group D: Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman bt MRSM KT 24-12
Group E: Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Gombak bt SMK ABI 17-15.
Group F: SM Haji Othman Abdul Wahab bt SM Taman Kosas 21-10.
Issued by: Malay College Old Boys Association (MCOBA)
For further information, please contact
ShekhinahPR
Christopher Raj
6012 – 216 1881 (chris@shekhinah.my)
