Official Website of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council
NEWS & EVENTS
National rugby team on the right track
Monday, June 17, 2013

The national team's Yong Kah
Soon reaches for the ball
during Saturday's match
against the Barbarians. The
national squad beat the
Barbarians 20-10 after losing
their first match 38-29 on
June 8. Picture: BT/Syarif
Rasani

The National rugby team bounced back from their opening loss to the Barbarians two weeks ago to beat them 20-10 on Saturday.

The national squad are heading to Cambodia for the Asian 5 Nations Division 5 tournament next month and have played two four-quarter games against the Barbarians, a side made up of players from local rugby teams.

The Barbarians beat a disjointed national side 38-29 in their first match on June 8, but it was a different story on Saturday where the nationals scored two tries, one conversion and one penalty to take a lead 15-0 after the first quarter at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam Field C.

Communication was a problem for the national team last week since it was their first time playing together, but national captain Md Azahar Awg Timbang felt that wasn't an issue on Saturday.

"We did well today, especially with our vision which spotted their gaps," he said.

"We played really well in the first half because we were able to secure the ball and didn't rush ourselves.

"Our play became a bit messy from switching players and positions in the second half, but it was still good because our defence could hold them back.

"We've been waking up early for training and fitness tests this week, and we're getting better but we need to work on it," added Md Azahar.

The national squad's strong first quarter momentum carried on into the second quarter, but unfortunately they couldn't add any more points on the scoreboard.

The national team played with their backs swinging the ball side-to-side as they advanced, and it was obvious that national rugby coach Ben Bourne's game plan was proving to be a success.

The Barbarians eventually got their first try of the game late in the second quarter, and they would start the third quarter trailing 15-5.

The national team changed their style of play and mainly used their forwards to try pummel through the Barbarians going into the third period.

The Barbarians took control of the game and kept the national team in their half in the third quarter, where both teams scored one try each to make it 20-10.

The Barbarians carried on picking away at the national team and spent more time in their opponents' half.

Though they advanced past the national team's 22m line several times, that was as far as the Barbarians could get before facing the best of the national team's tight defence.

Courtesy from Brunei Times