If you had told us at the start of the year that our U15 SMAP Legends would be rubbing shoulders with the heavyweights of Malaysian school rugby and actually making them sweat, we might have suggested you’ve had one too many cups of Dewan Makan’s infamous tea.
But here we are. After a respectable 4th place finish in the MSSNS (sitting just behind the likes of KGV and SDAR), the Legends found themselves with a golden ticket. Thanks to a last-minute vacancy from the Sabah reps, SMAP nipped through the “backdoor” into the 41st National 10s Premier School Rugby Tournament (Piala Dato’ Sulaiman Haji Daud) at KGV Seremban on 22nd and 23rd November.
The initial groupings looked like a bit of a nightmare, frankly. The boys were pitted in Group B against the Perlis Champions (SMS Syed Putra), a former tournament winner in MCKK and the formidable BP Cougars (MRSM Balik Pulau), yup the same Cougars whose seniors only just bagged the Super School Rugby title in July.
Most teams would have played for damage control. Not our lads.
In what can only be described as the upset of the tournament, the Legends took to the pitch and absolutely dismantled the Cougars with a clinical 17-5 win. While they later fell to Syed Putra and put up a valiant fight against MCKK (losing by a mere converted try, 5-12), the message was sent – the boys from Labu is here to play.
So, what’s changed? Look no further than the touchline. The arrival of Cikgu Md Azwan Zuwairi Mat Zizi, the current National Bunga Raya Men’s 7s Captain has injected a professional edge that’s hard to miss.
Combined with the unwavering support from fellow teachers Cikgu Sharif and coach Raihan, IKMAL and the SMAP Legends OB Rugby family, the training quality has gone through the roof. Our Old Boys network haven’t just been cheering from the stands, they’ve been instrumental in building the foundation for this recent success.
Finishing fourth in the group set up a clash with the Kelantan Champions, Sultan Ismail College (SIC), in the Bowl/Shield round. Once again, the Legends tore up the script, sending the SIC boys packing with a 10-5 victory.
The fairytale almost continued in the Bowl Quarter-Final against Akademi Rugby Melaka (AKRAM). We led 7-0 at the half and had them on the ropes, before eventually bowing out 7-12.
It was tough luck in the end, but what a ride! To go from a “backdoor” entry to defeating state champions and giving the likes of MCKK a run for their money is nothing short of legendary.
Well played, boys. You’ve done the jersey proud!
