KUCHING: Kuching Rugby Football Club (KRFC) claimed victory in the UNIMAS 10s 2024 tournament, overcoming Sibu 10-0 in a hard-fought Cup final.
The win marked a historic achievement for the club, which had previously been beaten in the group stage but came back stronger in the decisive match.
KRFC president Ahmad Yusop Datuk Mokhsen highlighted the tactical adjustments that proved key to their success in the final.
“We made strategic changes to our approach.
“We altered our halfback and forward positions, opting for a more compact forward structure while adding a loose forward to keep the ball in our possession and maintain the flow of play,” he said.
The tactical shift allowed KRFC to control the tempo of the game and stifle Sibu’s attacking efforts, leading to a dominant performance.
“The compact forward strategy helped us keep possession, and the loose forward played a crucial role in keeping the ball alive, ensuring we maintained pressure on Sibu throughout the match,” Ahmad added.
KRFC’s victory came thanks to pivotal performances, including a three-point drop goal by Mohammad Nazreen Fitri Nasrudin and a five-point try by Mohamad Syahmi Afiq Edan.
Mohd Fairuz Rahman rounded off the win with a successful conversion for an additional two points, sealing the 10-0 scoreline.
“This is our first time winning this tournament, and we’re very happy with the outcome.
“The tactical changes were essential in ensuring we didn’t repeat the mistakes from the group stage,” he told Sarawak Tribune on Sunday evening (Dec 1).
KRFC’s triumph in the UNIMAS 10s serves as a testament to the club’s tactical adaptability and dominance in local rugby competitions.
