Knights Rugby

By Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, June 20, 2010

CAMBODIA and Laos will be facing a different kind of threat when they take on Brunei in the 2010 HSBC Asian 5 Nations Regional Tournament; a triple threat.

Brothers Syaihan Hj Abu Bakar, 27, Abdul Azim, 23, and Dinnie, 22, will be the first trio of siblings to represent the country in a rugby tournament, suiting up for the national team in the week-long competition which kicks-off today with their match against hosts Cambodia at Phnom Penh's Old Stadium at 4pm.

Though sibling teammates are nothing new when it comes to Bruneian sports — football's Hardi and Mardi Bujang, karate's Md Fadillah and Md Fida'iy Hj Sanif and wushu's Isa and Ismi Bismi spring to mind — the Hj Abu Bakar brothers are in rarified company with pencak silat's Norleyermah, Norleyharyanti and Norleydiana Hj Raya. The Hj Raya sisters have all proven themselves in the international scene but that is not the case with the brothers who play for league and cup champions Knights Football Club — of which their father is the president.

He might be the youngest but Dinnie is the most experienced of the trio, the inside centre is also the prodigious captain of the Knights.

Syaihan and Abdul Azim are making their debut in the national team, and though they may lack international exposure, their passion and pride is something that is not up for question.

"I am really excited to be playing with my siblings," said Syaihan when met during the team's departure at the Brunei International Airport on Friday.

"Our dad's very proud and so are our friends. We want to do the best for Brunei and I hope we can make the country proud.

"We have an understanding even when we used to play other sports like football," added Syaihan.

Dinnie was concerned about how his brothers might fare in their first match for the national team but insisted there would be no favouritism.

"We will have to look out for each other. They are all my brothers, the whole team," said Dinnie, adding that he hoped they could return with the trophy.

Soft spoken Abdul Azim had nothing to say other than that he was proud to be picked for the team.

"I was happy when I got the call up. I just want to do my best," he said.

Coming from a family which has always been involved in sports, the trio's selection was welcoming news for their father.

"They have made me proud by following in my footsteps and representing the country," said Hj Abu Bakar Abdullah, who used to fly the flag for Brunei in taekwondo and silat from 1986 to 1993.

His daughter has also seen action in the national fencing team.

Brunei follow up today's game against Cambodia with a match against Laos on Wednesday.

Cambodia and Laos do battle in the final match next Saturday.

Cambodia's newly appointed coach Richie Flanagan revealed that he knew little of Brunei, having seen them play only once last year.

"They have a big, formidable pack," he said in Friday's edition of the Phnom Penh Post.

"Man for man, they probably have a bigger side. They'll be tough to beat.

Ray Leos, acting secretary general of the Cambodian Federation of Rugby, mirrored the coach's comments.

"Brunei will be very physical, and it just depends on if their backline is serviceable," he said.

"Based on past performances, Laos should be considered the slight favourite," he added.

Brunei faced the same opponents in the previous edition of the tournament last March in Savannakhet, Laos, with mixed results.

They beat Cambodia 21-10 for the first time in three tries but were on the losing end of a 28-8 scoreline during their match against the hosts before the match was abandoned because of a blackout in the 8th minute of the second half.

Last year's other result was a 8-3 result for Laos against Cambodia, meaning they were crowned champions of the event.

The HSBC Asian 5 Nations' Premier Division consist of Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Hong Kong and the Arabian Gulf.

The four lower leagues each have four teams, and winners of each tournament gains promotion in the next division at the expense of the last-placed team.

The Southeast Asia Regional Tournament meanwhile is the lowest leg of the competition and does not offer promotion or relegation.

Instead, it is aimed at fostering competition and development among Asian countries.

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By Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Thursday, June 17, 2010

SEVEN players will be making their debut in the national rugby team during Sunday's 2010 HSBC Asian 5 Nations Regional Tournament in Cambodia.

Forwards Abdul Azim Hj Abu Bakar, Helvey Bujang, Mohd Aimaduddin Hj Ali and Syaihan Hj Abu Bakar have earned their first call up to the side, where they will be joined by backs Abdul Hakim Hj Musdi, Halil Wakiyuddin and Hj Rozaimienizam Hj Jainal - who is also the assistant coach.

Twenty-eight players made the first cut after a trial late April, with national coach Ben Bourne finalising the full squad of 24 two weeks ago.

About 40 per cent of last year's team which competed in Laos will be returning this year, with the majority of the players coming from reigning league and cup champions Knights Rugby Club.

Making up the forwards are Mohammad Syafiee Matali and Mohd Khairi Abd Salam at lock and Mohd Aimaduddin at hooker.

Abdul Azim and Mohd Zailaini Zainal Abidin have been slotted in at second row while captain Ahmad Faez Hj Anuar will be flanked by Sa'adi Hj Abu Bakar and Nobel Lee at the back row.

In the backs, Belait Pythons' Muhamad Ziyad Hj Ramlee and Petrus Tuan will be trusted with the scrum-half and fly-half roles respectively.

Knights' captain Dinie Hj Abu Bakar will play at inside centre while Hj Rozaimienizam is at outside centre.

Halil Wakiyuddin and Ak Md Muizuddin play at wing while Ak Mohd Abdul Aziz Pg Hj Md Norsah rounds up the field of 15 players at full-back.

Abdul Hakim, Bujang, Md Redha Hj Adinin, Mohd Syahidin Badaruddin, Ronny Tarang, Rosmi Janadie, Roy Agar Munan, Rudy Baja and Syaihan have been listed as substitutes. Ahmad Faez, Muhammad Ziyad, Nobel Lee, Tarang and Tuan were some of the players in last October's Asian Rugby Sevens Series national team. Changes to the current squad to the six-day tournament in Cambodia were still being made until Monday because of injuries, work commitments and disciplinary problems.

That isn't stopping national coach Ben Bourne from feeling confident he will be bringing the right men when they leave tomorrow.

"I think experience wise, I would rate them as seven or eight out of 10," said Bourne yesterday.

"Like last year we have a good forward pack but what really makes them stand out is their mobility.

"They are quicker than any previous team I have had and that is really an advantage and we will be using it as our secret weapon.

"The backs have a lot of pace as well and as a whole that will help the team," added the Samoan.

They play their first game against Cambodia on Sunday at the National Sports Complex in Phnom Penh, with the tie against Laos set for next Wednesday Cambodia and Laos do battle in the final match next Saturday. Qatar was supposed to compete in the tournament but pulled out. Brunei faced the same opponents in the previous edition of the tournament last March with mixed results.

They returned from Laos with a 21-10 win against Cambodia, beating the team for the first time in three tries.

However, their match against the hosts was forced to be abandoned due to a blackout in the 8th minute of the second half. The score read 28-8 when the match was ditched.

Laos did not agree to a rematch and Brunei sent a formal appeal to the International Rugby Board (IRB) and Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU). A draw or rematch were the two options on the table, but until today, there have been no new developments in the case.

The result was the team's first "loss" to the Laotians. Their last encounter in June 2007 during the Division 6 Asian Nation Series Rugby Tournament which Brunei hosted saw the national team come up with a dramatic 17-16 win after trailing 8-3 at half time.

Despite entering this year's Asian 5 Nations Regional Tournament seeded third, Bourne believes Brunei deserve to be competing at a higher level.

"We are still playing at the regional level since ARFU think we still need a few more years to develop, but I think that's a bit sad," he said last month.

"As a nation, we have grown a lot and we can definitely compete with the other teams.

"But with our results in the past, especially in Guam ... AFRU think Brunei is too far behind so now we have to prove we can compete at the regional level," he added.

In June 2008, Brunei suffered heavy defeats against both of their opponents in the fourth-tier of the ARFU Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament in Hagtna, Guam.

Losing to the hosts 74-0 and the Philippines 101-0, the latter remains the national team's worst loss ever.

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By Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Knights Rugby Club added another trophy to their cabinet when they won Sunday's Royal Brunei Recreational Club (RBRC) 2010 Let Autism Touch Your Life Touch Rugby Tournament.

Reigning champions of the Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) league and the Darussalam Cup, the Knights won the seventh title of their short history when they beat New Zealand Association Brunei (NZAB) IGuyz 3-2 on Sunday.

Using their pace and panache to take a 2-0 lead heading into the break at the RBRC field in Berakas, the Knights added to their lead a few minutes into the second half after a solo individual try by Hj Rozaimienizam Hj Jainal.

Though NZAB I Guyz would give the Knights a scare by scoring two late tries, their defence was able to hold off an equaliser.

"We are very happy since this is the first time there has been a proper touch tournament and we won it," said Knight's captain Dinnie Hj Bakar.

"We had the speed and training. We also understood our opponents' style of play.

"I was nervous towards the end when our mistakes let them back into the game but our defence held up after their second try," he added.

Both teams had their chances in the first few minutes of the final but it was Hj Rozaimienizam who would find the breakthrough after running into space on the left flank. Ball handling errors prevented NZAB I Guyz from getting on the scoresheet in the first half and a missed tackle in the Knights' half was all that was needed for Muzaini Awang to race half the length of the field to make it 2-0.

Scrum-half for the Knights' full team, Toma Unoi, nearly cut the gap for NZAB I Guyz after the horn to end the first half, but the referee ruled it out.

It took less than a minute after the restart for Hj Rozaimienizam to score the try of the match.

Intercepting a pass a few metres off his try line, he shifted gears and ran the length of the field to make it 3-0.

Paul Cato cut the deficit to 3-1 after an excellent dummy and a pass from Unoi to his fly-half teammate in the Knights' full team, Kerry Williams, opened space on the left to make 3-2 in the final minute.

The Knights were stopped from making it a double when Wahine Toa beat their ladies' team 6-0 in the ladies final. NZAB Da Boyz defeated Bandar Blacks Junior 4-2 to be crowned champions of the novice category.

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By Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, May 2, 2010

LOVE them or hate them, you have to respect them.

The Knights Rugby Club ended the season as the only undefeated team after wrestling the Darussalam Cup from the stranglehold of the Belait Pythons 73-21 last night.

In what was the biggest night of local rugby all year, the Knights who also lifted the Kamaruddin Cup as a result of their win in the league dominated for large periods with their brand of organised rugby at the Balapan Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

It was the first time the club has won both competitions.

"We did our best to play structured rugby despite the (wet) conditions and did well on our rucks and phase balls," said the Knights' playing coach Johannas 'Hansie' Hickey.

"We were a bit more organised on the pitch and that allowed us to score," explained the back row prop.

Two-time champions Bandar Blacks finished third in the competition which is a knockout event played between the league's four teams after beating newcomers the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Sharks 48-0.

The Sharks didn't return home empty-handed though, winning the award for 'Fair Play'.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abdul Wahab presented the trophies.

The Pythons' faithful were hoping that their team would enter the history books as the only side to clinch the Darussalam Cup three times.

It hardly took five minutes for those hopes to be dashed, with the Knights scoring off a pass from fly-half Kerry Williams who then went on to convert it.

Another successful game with the boot, the New Zealander would convert six of the 11 tries.

A penalty kick from Williams made it 10-0 in the 12th minute, with compatriot at scrum-half Toma Unoi exposing some slack defending to score on the left a couple of minutes later and make it 17-0.

Another penalty kick and it was 20-0 to the Knights' after 20 minutes.

The Pythons needed some ideas, and they needed them fast.

None materialised though, and the Knights would go on to score two unanswered tries after exploiting more poor defending, missed tackles and ball handling errors to set the score at 30-0.

The Pythons got on the scoreboard in the 31st minute when Md Isa Hj Mohamad completed a kick and chase, with Pythons playing coach Petrus Tuan converting the try to make it 30-7.

Talk of a comeback was short-lived though, with Hickey barraging his way through the Pythons' defence two minutes before half-time to score on the right.

Williams converted the try to set the score at 37-7 heading into the break.

Though both forward packs were well matched, the Pythons failed to make theirs count and they really should have done better bringing the ball up.

Forced to play to the Knights' tempo, the Pythons also didn't kick out of danger and it cost them dearly as the match progressed.

Among other downfalls were not recycling the ball well enough and affording the Knights too much space on and off the ball.

Careless passing by the Pythons saw the ball worked to Williams, whose defence-splitting pass to another New Zealander, Stuart Smith, made it 44-7 three minutes into the second half.

A try by Knights' captain Dinnie Hj Bakar made it 49-7, with substitute Buda William cutting the deficit to 49-14 with a try in the 52nd minute.

The rain which started in the second half had died down by now and the Knights started to reassert themselves once again, making it 56-14 after some slick passing.

A well-worked team try which was capped by Rudy Baja sparked more talk of a Pythons comeback at 56-21, but a kick and chase saw Sui cross the line to widen the gap to 63-21 after the conversion.

Tries by Kama and Sui ended the scoring.

The first team to score three tries against the Knights in a single match over the past two seasons, Tuan remained upbeat about the result.

"We had a lot of injuries, before and during the match, so that was one factor in the result," said Tuan, who plays at fly-half for both club and country.

"I'm definitely happy and proud with the boys though, and they gave a good show.

"We are still the Pythons."

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By Jason Thomas
The 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.

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To all rugby enthusiasts out there, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Maaf Zahir Dan Batin from us Knights Rugby Union Football Club.

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Click on the picture above to enlarge. Courtesy of www.rugbyinasia.com

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By Syafiq Affendy

Borneo Bulletin : SUNDAY Sports

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, August 16, 2009

KB Pythons won the Darussalam Cup when they outclassed Knights Rugby Football Club 14-5 in the final held at Jerudong International School yesterday.

Loyal fans from both teams also added to the exciting atmosphere of the game, where both teams showed their prowess with amazing display of skill and teamwork.

The Pythons have now added another cup to display as last week they won the Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) Rugby League, albeit losing to the Knights.

PS. Glad that I was able to find a photo of Muj scoring the try. Nice one Muj! :)

Labels: Nad :)

By Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, August 16, 2009

THE Belait Pythons were celebrating well into last night after winning the Darussalam Cup for the first time after beating the Knights Rugby Football Club 14-5 at the Jerudong International School field.

Capturing their second trophy of the season, the newly crowned three-time league champions cemented their reputation as the team to beat when it comes to local rugby.

Scrum-half Max Seresio scored both their tries, with full-back Petrus Tuan converting the pair.

The Knights handed the Pythons a 10-7 defeat when the two teams met in the Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) Rugby League last week, so the Belait-based team knew what to expect yesterday.

"I am very relieved to have won, it was a tough game and both teams played very careful today (Saturday)," said Pythons' captain Zakaria Hj Hamzah, whose team were beaten finalists last year.

"The Knights are one of the most improved teams in Brunei, in the final after being formed for only two years.

"It was a real territorial game today, a lot of kicking and chasing and hoping they would make mistakes. Our defence played very well today, they hit them all hard," he added.

Controlling the first period, the Pythons penned the Knights into their own half and enjoyed the majority of possession with their good passing game.

After numerous attacking chances, they finally got the try they were looking for at the stroke of half-time after a scrum when the ball was worked to Seresio, the Fijian scoring in between the posts.

The Knights came out in the second half a changed side, putting the Pythons under intense pressure and playing several minutes in their 22-metre line.

A Pythons' clearance from the middle 13 minutes into the second half saw the Knights' blind-side winger Muzani Awang catch the ball on the left and dash all the way to the try-line scoring despite being tackled by Tuan.

They were unable to convert and the momentum shifted once again after that, with the Knights looking tired and lacking the tenacious defending that distinguished them last week.

With their supporters cheering them on, the Pythons once again put their opponents under pressure and scored on the hour-mark after another scrum.

Prop Ngu Yu Teck worked the ball to Seresio who used his pace to evade his defenders and score in between the posts once again.

"It was a good effort from both teams and it was a better game than last week," said the Knights' coach Ben Bourne, adding that he was happy that the team had only let in four tries all season.

After presenting his namesake trophy the Kamaruddin Cup to the Pythons as league winners, BRFU president Dr Hj Kamaruddin Dato' Seri Paduka Hj Talib also presented them the Darussalam Cup.

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By Jason Thomas

The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Saturday, August 15, 2009

THE Knights Rugby Football Club will be looking to win their fourth trophy when they face the Belait Pythons in today's Darussalam Cup Championship at the Jerudong International School field at 5pm.

Despite losing to the Knights 10-7 in last week's Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) Rugby League match at the same venue, the Pythons still collected their third straight league title.

It was the first time either team had met in the league, and though the victory for the Knights earned them the same win-lose record as the Pythons, the Belait-based team took the league crown by virtue of losing the game by less than seven points.

BRFU awards one point for every loss less than seven and four points instead of three for every game in which the winning team score four tries or more.

Representing Temburong, the Knights captured the Pesta Sukan Kebangsaan (PSK) title last year to add to their Under-16 and Under-18 crowns at the national level.

They also won the Under-17 trophy in 2007, and their coach is hoping the team will be adding the Darussalam Cup to their trophy cabinet today.

"Basically we are going with the same game plan as last week," said Ben Bourne, whose side's defence won them the match. "Last week our line-outs were good but they should have been better, our scrums were weaker than normal and our handling out wide was not so good so we are going to work on those areas."

Starting last week's match with 14 players, the team did not have the chance to warm up because most of their players who are students could not make it to the pitch in time because of their classes.

"I hope if we can get there early tomorrow (Saturday) we can warm up properly and start on a good note," said Bourne when contacted yesterday.

Frustrated by their opponents' steadfast defence, the Pythons only found a gap in the Knights' back line in the final few minutes when Habib Waliyuddin scored under the posts with Petrus Tuan converting.

The full-back for both the national team and the Pythons, Tuan said the team had learnt from last week's loss.

"Last week's defeat was a good lesson for us, and yes, revenge is definitely on our minds," said Tuan.

"We are more confident now and we will try to be more organised on the offence this time ... We will attack them more. Both the tries they scored last week were because of bad defending, so that is something we can improve on," he said.

Last year's Darussalam Cup final was the talk of the town, with the Bandar Blacks beating the Pythons in a match that had to be decided by a drop-kick contest.

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By Danial Norjidi

Borneo Bulletin

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Brunei are set to be one of the hosts for the inaugural Asian Rugby Sevens Series, which will be an annual event, beginning this year from Oct 24-25 at the Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium.

This was announced during a press conference yesterday held by Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) which was attended by its president Dr Hj Kamaruddin, outgoing secretary Mark Pyrgos and director of international relations Ainol Razman.

BRFU, as one of the host unions of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series, have been given a contract to host annual 'Brunei Sevens' rugby tournaments for four years.

According to Pyrgos, the Brunei Sevens will be "a big event which will feature many activities going on around the stadium for families, with rugby as the centerpiece."

"We see the Brunei Sevens as a platform to allow Bruneian rugby players to compete and try a different level of rugby," he added.

Although the Brunei Sevens are a tournament for players over 18 years old, according to Ainol Razman, the BRFU have also organised youth tournaments to take place "within" the Brunei Sevens.

"During the Brunei Sevens there will be Under-16 and Under-18 tournaments; tournament within a tournament," he said.

Mark Pyrgos explained: "The reason for the 'Youth Sevens' is to ensure the development of youth players in Brunei. We are doing this to create a much more achievable path for youths in rugby in Brunei."

When asked who the participating teams for the Brunei Sevens were, Ainol Razman said: "Currently we are awaiting confirmation from seven international teams: Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. The eighth team is Brunei."

As of yet, a Brunei's team line-up has yet to be confirmed. Ainol Razman said: "We will choose teams (for both the youth and senior tournaments) based on the commitment, skills and physical presence of the players."

The BRFU also revealed that Brunei Tourism Board has endorsed the Brunei Sevens.

On the subject of sponsors, he said: "We are still looking for sponsors, so any potential partners should contact me (Ainol). We have a four-year contract to hold the Brunei Sevens, and we are confident that rugby sevens will grow into a major sport in Asia."

Ainol Razman can be reached by phone at 6738886970 and by email at ainolrazman@gmail.com.

The schedule of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series 2009 begins with the Shanghai Sevens (an ARFU event) in China from Sept 12-13 followed by the Subic Sevens in the Philippines from Oct 10-11, the Brunei Sevens from Oct 24-25, Borneo Sevens (an ARFU event) in Kota Kinabalu from Oct 31 to Nov 1, Kish Island Sevens in Kish Island, Iran from Nov 20-22 and finally the Sri Lanka Sevens from Nov 28-29.

Meanwhile, the final match of the Darussalam Cup between Pythons and Knights will be held on Saturday at 5pm at Jerudong International School, and is open to the public.

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By Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Sunday, August 9, 2009

THE Knights Rugby Football Club beat the Belait Pythons 10-7 in the last game of the Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) Rugby League yesterday, but failed to win the league by an agonising one point.

Titleholders Pythons who have now won their third straight league title were undefeated heading into yesterday's clash at the Jerudong International School field, which was the first time either side have met in the league this year.

The Knights had only lost once, but that too was a walkover defeat they handed to the Pythons on May 16 when they were unable to contest their match at the Lorong 5 field in Panaga.

Yesterday's win for the Knights earned them the same win-lose record as the Pythons, but the latter took the league crown by virtue of losing yesterday's game by less than seven points.

BRFU awards one point for every loss less than seven and four points instead of three for every game in which the winning team score four tries or more.

Having let in a miserly five points all season, the Knights were always going to rely on their good defence to win the game and that was just what they did.

Their captain Dinie Hj Abu Bakar got on the scoresheet after hardly five minutes when he found space on the right and scored a try to give the Knights a 5-0 lead.

Hans Hickey created the team's next try, shrugging off a couple of Pythons' players to offload the ball to the team's half-back on the right a few minutes before the break.

Tensions flared in the second half as the defending champions struggled to break down their opponents' tenacious defence, crossing the try-line three times but were denied each time.

Their hard work was rewarded in the final few minutes when Habib Waliyuddin scored under the posts, with Petrus Tuan converting.

"It was a messy game in my opinion and the only thing we were good at was the line-outs," said the Knights' coach Ben Bourne.

"The Knights were the better team today (Saturday) and their defence really stood still," said the Pythons' coordinator Timothy Lian.

"It was a good game and we are glad to have played them as it has been a while since we last met each other," he added.

He will not have to wait too long for their next encounter since the two teams will face each other in the 2009 Darussalam Cup Championship next Saturday, a game which pits the first- and second-placed teams in the league against each other.

The Bandar Blacks and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (ABDB) face each other on the same day in the battle for bronze.

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By Jason Thomas
The Brunei Times
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Sunday, June 28, 2009

THE Knights Rugby Football Club delivered a commanding display of rugby during yesterday's 36-0 win against the Bandar Blacks/Yachties to set up a title deciding clash against the Belait Pythons in next week's final game of the Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) Rugby League.

Contrary to last week's report in The Brunei Times, the Python's 82-12 result against the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (ABDB) was not enough for them to defend their title as league champions and holders of the Kamaruddin Cup, the trophy awarded to the league winners.

Both teams have yet to face each other this season, with the Knights forfeiting the first match on May 16.

Yesterday's result means that the Knights and the Pythons are the only two teams in the four-team league not to have tasted defeat all season, and the Knights look set to dethrone the Belait-based team if they win because of their superior point difference.

They have let in a measly five points all campaign, and the Bandar Blacks/Yachties have been the only team in the league to have found a way to get past their tenacious defence during their 34-5 loss to the Knights on June 20.

However, that was a feat which hardly looked like repeating itself during yesterday's game at the Balapan Track & Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas, with the closest they came to scoring perhaps their failed penalty-kick in the first half.

The Knights scored four tries and converted two of them in the first half, with the second period seeing them grab another two tries and convert one.

They could have scored more if not for shifting down a couple of gears mid-way through the second half, with the Bandar Blacks/Yachties threatening to break their duck but unable to find a gap.

The Knights got on the scoresheet in the first five minutes with a converted try and found their second try a few minutes later when Hans Hickey unselfishly laid the ball off to a teammate just metres from the touchline to cap off a period of strong pressure.

The Knights dominated the game through their forwards and scored a superb team try mid-way through the half when the ball was worked from the left to the right to create space, converting that try too.

Hickey would grab a try of his own after pivoting around two players and it was looking like a lost cause for the Bandar Blacks/Yachties even before the second half had started.

Their ball handling errors did not make things easier for them, they were unable to recycle the ball, and combined with the Knights' good tackling especially one late in the half which prevented a try the Bandar Blacks/Yachties could only hope the second half would be easier on them.

The Bandar Blacks/Yachties were not able to get their passing game going or find space on the flanks, and when they did, it was a certainty that tight marking would prevent them from getting into their opponents' 22-yard line.

They were able to hold the Knights off until mid-way through the second period when a scrum on the right saw the ball worked to the left, a good team try built on the back of fluid passing.

The Knights continued to tackle well in the second half, coming up with several hits that got the crowd on its feet.

The Knights spent most of the game in their enemy's half and scored their second try of the period when one of their players blocked a kick from a Bandar Blacks/Yachties' player inside his own 22-yard line, running a couple of metres to score the team's sixth try.

"Teamwork really won us the game today (Saturday) and I am hoping to win next week's game against the Pythons," said Ben Bourne, the Knights' player/coach.

"I think we should be able to win the Kamaruddin Cup if we beat the Pythons because we have done well to keep our opponents scoreless. We have only let in five points all season," he added.

It was the last game for the Bandar Blacks/Yachties, who now face ABDB in the battle for third on July 11.

The Brunei Times.

Labels: Nad :)

Ladies, today's training will be held at Indoor Stadium. Please be there by 4.30pm. Spread the words to your teammates okay. Merci.

Labels: Nad :)

Please be informed that there will be a filming on Knights by RTB on Monday June 15th at Kebajikan. So all boys are required to come at 2PM and please be punctual. Please wear your Pensonic training jersey, black shorts, and your black and white socks.

Also, this Saturday June 13th, Knights will be playing against ABDB. The kick off will be at 4PM and the match will be held at Berakas Kem. So, go Knights!

PS. this post is for boys only.

edited

Labels: Nad :)

Ya-Qadhi Al-Hajat

Dengan penuh hormat dan takzim sukacita menjunjung Pengiran berangkat / Awang dan Dayang hadir ke majlis perkahwinan salah seorang pemain Knights:

Awangku Saiful Rizal Pengiran Haji Mashor

&

Zatul Iffah Haji Mohammad Yassin

Pada: Hari Ahad
Tarikh: 7hb Jun 2009M bersamaan dengan 13hb Jamadilakhir 1430H.
Jam: 11.00 pagi hingga 12.15 tengah hari.
Tempat: Royal Berkshire Hall, Jerudong Park & Country Club Polo Club.

Para pemain dan kakitangan Knights adalah di jemput hadir dan hendaklah datang dengan memakai baju melayu. Di atas keberangkatan Pengiran / kehadiran Awang dan Dayang ke majlis tersebut nanti, terlebih dahulu kami mengucap kan ribuan terima kasih.

" Ya Allah, kasih sayangkanlah diantara keduanya sebagaimana Engkau telah mengasih sayangkan di antara Adam dan Hawa. Dan kasih sayangkanlah mereka diantara keduanya sebagaimana Engkau telah mengasih sayangkan di antara Ibrahim dan Sarah. Dan kasih sayangkan lah diantara keduanya sebagaimana Engkau telah mengasih sayangkan diantara Yusuf dan Zulaikha. Dan kasih sayangkanlah diantara keduanya sebagaimana Engkau telah mengasih sayangkan di antara Sayyidina Muhammad S.A.W dan Sayyidatina Khadijatul Khubra. "

Amin.

Labels: Nad :)

Knights will be playing againts KB Pythons tomorrow. It's going to be the second meeting between the two this year with KB Pythons leading the year-to-date head-to-head match record of 1-0. The match will be held at UBD rugby field and the kick off will be at 4PM so Knights players should come an hour before. Supporters are more than welcome to watch.

So break a leg, guys! :)

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We played our first ever touch rugby tournament as a mixed team on Sunday. The event was held at Curtin's University of Technology, Miri. Knights were divided into two mixed teams where Knights A was set to play the Curtin Cup while Knights B played the Curtin Plate.

Knights A started off really well, winning all of the first three matches consistently of which all of them were against the Miri teams. Because of the three consecutive wins, we went straight into the semi-finals where we were drawn to face Miri PC.

The match against Miri PC was a tough one. They scored a try early in the match. Since then on the match started to get really tight, both teams started to play defensive, and Knights were still down 0-1 in the first-half. But we managed to level the score 1-1 in the second-half of the match.

The match had to be extended because of the tie. During the extra time, the first team to score a try was to become the winner and will move into the final round. Knights made a little error at the beginning of the tie-break and Miri PC took advantage of it and scored a try and ended Knights' winning streak.

While Knights A appeared as the 2nd runner-up of the Curtin Cup, Knights B cruised easily into the final round of the Curtin Plate, beaten by just one team in the early round by Miri PC, the same team which defeated Knights A later on. However, they lost the battle once again in the final round which made Knights B the runner-up of the Curtin Plate. Though we didnt win neither the Cup nor the Plate, we did give our best and that's all that counts.

So congratulations to all Knights players who came and worked really hard to support each other. Credits to our captain Deney who led us all the way throughout the tournament. And a special shout out to Fakhruddin who contributed more than a dozen of tries and was named the top-scorer of the tournament, good job :).

Labels: Nad :)