I HAD a short word with the Sukma team manager, Abang Azman, and one of the coaches, Zulkaranainhisham (Zul) on the players and their performances at the Terengganu Games.

According to both of them, the players all did very well, and after defeating defending champions Selangor in the first match, the other sides took notice and became wary of the Sarawak team.

When they defeated Pahang in the second match, they earned the respect of the other sides and in the cup quarters against Kedah, the Kedahans knew had to play really well to earn the semi-final slot … and they just knicked it by a conversion.

In the plate semi-final against Perlis, Sarawak were denied their chance by some strange refereeing decisions according to Azman.

But on the whole, the squad did very well, and gave notice that Sarawak are no longer the whipping boys of rugby in Sukma.

According to Azman and Zul, apart from a reporter from Utusan Melayu, there was none from the local and national press present to cover the matches.

Many thanks to Martin Yee for taking the time to report on the team’s progress during the Games.

On Monday, Kuching Rugby Football Club president Dick Bentham, led an exco delegation on courtesy visits to Datuk Haji Talip Zulpilip, SEDC chairman, and Brigadier General Dato Jeyabalan, the 3rd Infantry Brigade Commander.

The purpose was to invite Talip to be the patron for Club’s 50th anniversary celebration next year which he has graciously consented to, and forge closer ties with the Armed Forces in Sarawak, especially in Kuching, and Club.

Dick and his delegation also invited Jeyabalan to try to raise at least two teams to join the Kuching League set for next year. He has agreed to look assist.

The delegation comprised Ahmad Shah Yusop, vice president of Club, Ghafar Haji Arshad (Dun), Club’s hon sec, and Noel Pang, Wan Adruce and Laurence Tan from Club’s 50th anniversary committee.

I received news from Miri DRU’s hon sec, Timothy Lian, that this year’s Baram Cup, the 25th edition, has been scheduled for November 8 and 9.

Further details on this will be forthcoming from Timothy over the next few months leading up to the tournament.

If any local clubs wish to know more about the tournament, contact Timothy (016-8747126) or e-mail him at tlian99@yahoo.com.

Tim also mentioned the passing of one of the local rugby pioneers in Brunei, the late Mustaffa Haji Kamis (Uncle Mus), two weeks ago, leaving behind two children — Alif and Muna — both studying in tertiary institutions.

According to Tim, the late Mustaffa played for the Royal Brunei Yacht Club and Belait Rugby as a forward in the 80’s.

He was a regular at the Baram Trophy Tournament, and one of those who encouraged locals from Brunei to pick up the game.

I might have met him during my trips to the Baram Trophy in the 80’s. I know there were not too many locals in the Brunei sides that came for the Baram Trophy tournaments at that time.

Malaysia went down to Thailand 7-30 in the Division II final of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations in Bangkok last Saturday and India turned over Pakistan 92-0 in the other match.

In the iRB U-20 world junior championships in Wales, the final and third-fourth placings and some classification play-off matches are scheduled tomorrow.

Last week in the group matches, Ireland beat Tonga 45-27 and New Zealand blanked Argentina 60-0 in pool A while in pool B, Scotland defeated USA 41-14 and South Africa overcame Samoa 16-11.

In pool C, Australia went down to England 13-18 and Fiji lost 10-17 to Canada, and in pool D, Japan lost to Italy 20-24 while Wales won 23-19 against France.

In the classification play-offs on Thursday, Argentina lost to France

6-30, Ireland won 9-6 against Italy, Samoa lost 0-32 to Australia, Scotland defeated Canada 15-10, Tonga won 17-5 against Japan and Fiji won 27-20 against USA.

In the semi-finals, England defeated South Africa 26-18 and New Zealand won 31-6 against Wales for a showdown in the final tomorrow. South Africa will play Wales for third-fourth placings also tomorrow.

Today, Japan face USA and Tonga face Fiji in the classification play-offs. Tomorrow, Argentina face Samoa, France take on Australia, Ireland meet Scotland and Italy play Canada.

In the iRB Pacific Nations Cup, Australia won 20-15 against Samoa and New Zealand Maoris defeated Fiji 11-7 last Saturday, and on Sunday, Japan won 35-13 against Tonga.

The features for this week will see New Zealand Maoris taking on Samoa in Waikato today while tomorrow, Japan will face Fiji in Tokyo, and Australia A will play Tonga in Sydney.

There were also a number of tests last week and the week before between the home nations and the southern hemisphere’s top three nations.

Two weeks ago, New Zealand defeated Ireland 21-11 while South Africa defeated Wales 43-17.

Last weekend, England lost to New Zealand 37-20 in the first of two tests, South Africa won 37-21 against Wales in the second test, Scotland won 26-14 against Argentina, and Australia scrapped past Ireland 18-12.

Today’s tests will be between England and New Zealand, and South Africa and Italy.

Over in the peninsula, the MRU League Cup that started last weekend, continues this week together with the President’s Cup.

Today’s game will be between the Sukma barbarians and Club scheduled for 4.30pm.

Anyone who turns up looking for a game is also welcome to join in — whether members or non-members of Club, experienced, novice, locals or expatriates. For those new to our lovely city, the field is located behind the Everrise supermarket along Padungan Road.

Turnout last week was very good with everyone present having a full game with Amir blowing the whistle. See you all at the field.