By Jason ThomasThe Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Saturday, April 24, 2010
FRESH off their first senior title, the Knights Rugby Club are hungry for more.
The team captured the Kamaruddin Cup after they pulverised newcomers Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Sharks 84-8 on Sunday. The Knights have now set their sights on the Darussalam Cup, the other trophy that eluded them last season.
A knockout event played between the league's four teams, the Knights face the Sharks in the semi-finals of the competition at 4pm tomorrow.
"It won't be a victory until we win the final (Darussalam Cup)," said Knights' playing coach Johannas 'Hansie' Hickey yesterday.
"We faced them the first time last Sunday and we won because we were the better team all round.
"Our side was made up of predominantly local players but it will be a stronger team on Sunday," assured the New Zealander.
The Knights now have five titles under their belt, their second biggest prize, the National Sports Festival (PSK) trophy they won in 2008 representing Temburong. The three other wins have all come at the junior level.
They won all three of their league matches to be crowned champions, awarded a walkover victory against 2009 champions Belait Pythons in their first match on April 4 and hammering 2006 winners Bandar Blacks 78-0 in their second match on April 11.
The Knights have been aided by the services of flankers Stuart Smith and Julian Penstone as well as scrum-half Toma Unoi and fly-half Kerry Williams this season, and Hickey acknowledged their contribution to the young team.
"They have been playing by example but everyone knows what their job is on the field and they do it," said Hickey, who used to lace up for the Glenora and Te Atatu league clubs in New Zealand.
"If we want to win this semi-final we will have to concentrate on our defence. It has always been the Knights' strong point," he emphasised.
His counterpart was singing the same tune.
"Tighten up the defence and tackle, tackle, tackle!" said Mogamat Shafeek Kamalie of tomorrow's game plan.
"We have to defend like anything if we want to minimise damage and to keep ourselves in the game," added the South African.
Coach of the national side during the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Junior Trophy which the country hosted in 2007 and the 2006 ARFU Championships in Taiwan, Kamalie faces an uphill battle to shape the newest kids on the block into challengers.
"For this year, we are just working on getting the boys used to playing the game, and Ben Bourne (national rugby development officer) has been helping us out by giving us pointers on handling and tackling twice a week," said Kamalie.
"I can see improvement and confidence in their tackling," said the South African.
He seemed optimistic about tomorrow's rematch, especially after breaking the Knights defence for the first time this season.
The Knights only let in 12 points over five regular season games last year.
"No other team have scored points against them this year," he observed, "so for us to get eight is an achievement."
Tomorrow's other semi-final at 8am pits Darussalam Cup holders Pythons against the Blacks.
The final will he held on May 1 at the Balapan Track & Field in Berakas.
Labels: Nad :)
