The SDRU players perform above expectations in Labuan.
SIBU: Sibu Division Rugby Union (SDRU) team improved on its 4th placing last year to finish joint-third at last weekend’s Labuan 10-a-side championship.
Sabah Eagles Rugby Club emerged champions after edging Labuan Victoria RC in the final.
Joint third was defending champion KK Old Students Combined Association (Osca).
A total of 22 teams took part in the two-day tournament.
Sarawak sent three teams with one team each from West Malaysia (Multi Media University) and Labuan while the rest were from Sabah.
SDRU chief coach Michael Ting disclosed that it was the second time they took part in the championship which he said always attracted some of the top teams in the country.
“Our mission was to qualify for the quarter-finals but we returned with the 3rd placing,” he added.
The Labuan tournament, he said, was the penultimate event for SDRU’s campaign this year. The inaugural Brother Columba Cup to be held in Kuching later this month will be their final tournament this year.
In Labuan, meanwhile, SDRU lost heavily to Sabah Eagles 0-12 in the semi-final.
Ting admitted that their boys were chasing shadows and could not match their opponent’s standard.
“We only have one Fijian Iowane Sovatabua in our team with the rest mostly amateurs and it was tough to meet the challenge.
“Moreover, their players were more professional and had regulars in major tournaments,” he added.
Nevertheless, he believed the outing was a good exposure and learning experience for his charges.
They are now all pumped up for the upcoming Kuching tournament.
“Hopefully, we can stamp our superiority in the Brother Columba Cup,” Ting said.