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| X BORDER MALAYSIA - THAILAND |
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| KEDAI PULUT AYAM @ DURIAN |
24 April 2011
22 April 2011
2008 PRINCE OF SONGKHLA SEVENS HATYAI
RMR WARRIORS JUARA PRINCE OF SONGKHLA SEVENS HATYAI 2008
HATYAI, 01 FEB 2008 – RMR WARRIORS telah dinobat selaku Johan Kategori CUP Kejohanan Ragbi Prince of Songkhla Sevens 2008 menggalahkan Alor Setar Blues. Mohd Fuad Abdul Mutalib 'Che At Kecik' dari RMR Warriors telah muncul sebagai Best Player Prince of Songkhla Sevens 2008.
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| 2008 Champions |
2009 PRINCE OF SONGKHLA SEVENS HATYAI
RMAF BLACKHAWK JUARA PRINCE OF SONGKHLA SEVENS HATYAI 2009
HATYAI, 02 FEB 2009 – RMAF BLACKHAWK dinobat johan Kategori CUP Kejohanan Ragbi Prince of Songkhla Sevens 2009 setelah cemerlang mengungguli 3 kumpulan teratas pada hari kedua kejohanan. NS Wanderers menduduki tempat kedua dan diikuti dengan RMR Warriors di tempat ketiga. Mohd Redzuan Sharif ‘Jalut’ dari RMAF Blackhawk telah muncul sebagai Best Player Prince of Songkhla Sevens 2009. Kategori Kedua; Perlis Sevens muncul johan Kategori Plate diikuti Alor Setar Blues di tempat kedua dan Songkhla A di tempat ketiga. Dalam kejohanan pada kali ini, kedua-dua kategori di dominasi sepenuhnya oleh pasukan dari Malaysia. Kedua-dua piala utama yang dipertandingkan telah berjaya dibawa pulang ke Malaysia.
Kejohanan yang berlangsung selama dua hari di Stadium Universiti Prince of Songkhla Hatyai menempatkan 15 pasukan bertanding dari Thailand dan Malaysia. Lima pasukan dari Malaysia; RMAF Blackhawks, NS Wanderers, RMR Warriors, Perlis Sevens dan Alor Setar Blues. Sepuluh pasukan dari Thailand ialah Songkhla A, Songkhla B, Ultimate Southerner, Barbarians, MGT 32, MGT 33, Ao-Luk, NR, POS Engineering dan POS Economic. Menurut Pengurus Pasukan RMAF Blackhawk, Mejar Roslan Bakar berkata kemenangan RMAF Blackhawk di Hatyai pada kali ini adalah hasil kerjasama semua pihak terutamanya pihak pengurusan tertinggi TUDM. Ini merupakan kejayaan kedua berturut-turut buat RMAF Blackhawk selaku pembuka tirai 2009 setelah mereka turut muncul juara Armed Forces 7s pada awal Januari lalu.
Bagi Ketua Jurulatih RMAF Blackhawk, Khusainy Ishak melihat kejayaan ini sebagai satu tanda amaran awal kebangkitan pasukan ragbi Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) di dalam arena ragbi Malaysia dan peringkat antarabangsa. “ Kita bersyukur kerana berjaya menewaskan semua pasukan dari Thailand dan saya percaya pasukan ini mampu mengekalkan momentum yang sama untuk beberapa kejohanan lain lagi selepas ini. Terima kasih yang tidak terhingga kerana TUDM telah memberi kepercayaan kepada kami untuk mara ke Thailand dan mengukir nama di Hatyai.” Ujar Khusaini Ishak.
Kelab-kelab dari Malaysia amat bersedia di kejohanan ini dan rata-rata mereka berjaya menewaskan pasukan-pasukan dari Thailand dengan jurang mata yang amat besar. Tahniah diucapkan kepada kelima-lima pasukan Malaysia yang bertanding di Prince of Songkhla Sevens 2009 dan kejayaan ini membuktikan kesemua pasukan di Malaysia sudah bersedia untuk menghadapi kejohanan tujuh sepasukan di peringkat kebangsaan bagi tahun 2009.
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| 2009 PRINCE OF SONGKHLA 7's, HATYAI Third Place Cup Left to Right (Stand): Hafiz, Sudin, Yan, Zafran, Sani, Said (Manager), Wak Dol, Naka, Buja. Left to Right (Squat): Burma, Adik, Job, Ayop, Che At K, Adigun. (Not in photo: Nan) |
The Affiliates
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Malaysian Armed Forces Sport Council (Main) · Convenor : Y.Bhg Mej. Jen. Dato’ Azizan bin Ariffin · Secretary PRATM : Mej Khalid bin Hamzah (TUDM) · Address : Bahagian Perancangan & Pembangunan, Tingkat 19, Wisma Pertahanan, Jalan Padang Tembak, 50634 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan · Tel : 603.2071.4452 · Fax : 603.2694.4749 · Hp : 6017.6776.970 · E-mail : Lead1820@hotmail.com |
Perak Rugby Union (State)
· President : Dato' Haji Muhammad Muhiyuddin B. Haji Abdullah
· Honorary Secretary : En. Abd Razak B. Mohd Ali
· Address : Gabungan Pemborong BP Berhad, No. 4A, Jalan Lapangan Terbang, Off Jalan Gopeng, 31350 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan.
· Tel : 605.312.6382 / 605.312.7759
· Fax : 605.312.7251 / 605.255.5207
· E-mail : arma63@tm.net.my
The Score
In Rugby Union there is a difference score as follows:
Touch Down/ Tries - 5 points.
Conversion Kick - 2 points.
Penalty Kick/ Drop Goal - 3 points.
Touch Down/ Tries - 5 points.
Conversion Kick - 2 points.
Penalty Kick/ Drop Goal - 3 points.
The Whistles
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| Acme Thunderer |
The Origin Of Rugby Ball
The origins of the rugby ball, the object of all desires on the pitch, goes back to ancient times but its oval shape was given to it far more recently.
The ancestors
Even if it is difficult to tell precisely, it seems the oldest balls are from ancient Egypt. For the greatest relief of the animals of that time they were made of straw or cut reeds and wrapped in linen. But their joy didn't last very long, with animal bladders filled with air soon used because they were considered more flexible and bounced better, although they exploded more easily. In Greece, it was the cows that contributed their bladders, filled with sand or air and chased around by about 15 players in a game called episkiros, one of the precursors of football. In ancient Italy people stopped playing with their feet and started playing with their hands. The game was called harpastum, the ancestor of rugby, which means 'a ball of play'. The ball used was of a standard size and hard, so hard you couldn't kick it with your feet.Choule or Soule
In the middle ages, in three regions of France (Picardie, Normandie and Brittany) and in England, the Choule or Soule seemed to be inspired by the Greeks and Romans. The goal of the game was to get the ball into the opponents territory by any means. The nature of the object, which was called a choule or soule depending on which region the game was played in, was a pig bladder or cow bladder with oil on it or covered with leather. This envelope 30cm in diameter could be filled with air, straw, bran, wood shavings, foam or compressed hay. The choule became more elaborate as the importance given to it increased. Adding to the traditions of the game, the latest married couple would order it and buy it from the village saddler. In these places the choule, which was encrusted with copper nails, was made of leather bands of different colours, often the colours of the King and of the province where the game was played. It was believed touching the choule would bring a player luck. The player carrying it at the end of the game was allowed to keep it and show it as a trophy.The birth of Rugby
You cannot talk about the rugby ball without first talking about the invention of rugby, and you cannot talk about the birth of rugby without talking about William Webb Ellis. In 1823 Webb Ellis was a student at Rugby University. He picked up the ball during a football gameand ran with it through the opposition defence to score the first try in history. This action was to be the start of the division between the different football codes and the invention of 'rugby football'. At that time the ball was provided to students by William Gilbert, the shoemaker of Rugby, whose shop was next to the school. Gilbert made balls for the school out of hand stitched leather casings and real pigs bladders. When he died, his nephew James took over and was famous for the extraordinary power of his lungs, which enabled him to inflate the biggest match balls. It was not a pleasant task because the pig bladder had to be inflated when it was in a green smelly state. This onerous task was done with the stem of a clay pipe. Another resident of Rugby, Richard Lindop, invented the inflatable rugby bladder in 1870, relieving the rest of the community of the unpleasant animal odours.From round to oval
There are different theories to explain the birth and shape of the oval rugby ball which generates the unpredictable bounce, one of the charms of the game. For some people it is the shape of the pig bladders themselves that is responsible for the elongated shape of the ball, although balls of those early days were more plum shaped than oval. According to others it was in fact thanks to the ease of shaping rubber compared to the inflexibly round bladders of pigs that the shape became more oval. The oval shape was chosen because it fits better when held to the upper body while running. In any case the first description of oval balls seems to come in 1835. In 1851 William Gilbert was showing the Rugby School Football, an oval ball made from pig bladder, at an International Exhibition in London. So much for the supporters of the rubber theory. The oval shape became more popular among followers of the rugby game, becoming widespread in 1877. At that time as well, teams were reduced from 20 to 15 players. In 1892 the Rugby Football Union, born in 1871, standardised the size of the ball which until that time was varied depending on the whim of mother nature and how generous she was with the size of the chosen pig's bladder. The progressive flattening of the ball continued over the years and it's size was also reduced in 1931 to the size it is nowadays.Forget about leather
Prone to water damage, despite the use of cod oil and tallow (according to one's taste), the leather casing was replaced in the 1980s by all weather synthetic materials. The modern rugby ball, a real hi tech product, is made of polyurethane, synthetic leather, laminated polyester, latex and glue - designed to keep its shape and withstand the elements. It is also aerodynamically tested to ensure this identified flying object travels in the air as long as possible in a perfectly straight trajectory. The official ball of RWC 2003 will be the new Xact ball, made by Gilbert.History Of Rugby
Rugby first started in 1823 when William Webb Ellis spontaneously decided to spoil his schoolmate's soccer game by picking up the ball and running with it towards the goal line. That single act at the Rugby School brought the game into being where it is today and for future generations who would play this game. In 1839 the first rugby club was established in Cambridge and after 32 years the Rugby Football Union was established which governed the game in England and organised the first test match between Scotland and England. Then in 1886 the International Rugby Board was formed which governs the game worldwide.
But only after 40 years the laws of the game was altered in which rugby looks more like it does today. The game's first World Cup was held in 1987 and followed by the second and third in 1991 and 1995 respectively. Currently, the Rugby World Cup has the second largest TV viewership around the world, next to the Soccer World Cup with an estimated 3 billion viewers. Sevens rugby started in Scotland as a charity event which eventually developed into a fast and exciting game.
The first Rugby Sevens World Cup was held, rightfully in Scotland in RUGBY IN MALAYSIA The first inter-club match was played in 1902 between Singapore Cricket Club and Selangor Club. But locals were only involved in the game in 1921 when Captain H. T Butler presented a trophy named after the HMS Malaya battleship. So the game started in with Selangor, Ipoh District, Singapore, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan being the first participants with the Malaya Rugby Union which was also established in 1921 as the joint committee. In 1959 the Malaya Rugby Union organised its first international match between Cambridge Universities XV and Malayan XV in Kuala Lumpur.
In 1983 the first Inter-State Rugby tournament was introduced namely the Agomg's Cup and the game's gaining popularity with the first National Inter-Club tournament in 1995. Sevens rugby was introduced in Malaya in 1935 with a competition organised by the Singapore Cricket Club and since then spread throughout the country. In 1963, the famous RSC Jonah Jones Sevens was introduced by Mr Jones. To date there are numerous sevens tournament in Malaysia such as the National Sevens and Super Sevens organised by the Malaysia Rugby Union. There are more than 300 rugby clubs in Malaysia including government bodies and 600 schools playing rugby with 10,000 active players.
But only after 40 years the laws of the game was altered in which rugby looks more like it does today. The game's first World Cup was held in 1987 and followed by the second and third in 1991 and 1995 respectively. Currently, the Rugby World Cup has the second largest TV viewership around the world, next to the Soccer World Cup with an estimated 3 billion viewers. Sevens rugby started in Scotland as a charity event which eventually developed into a fast and exciting game.
The first Rugby Sevens World Cup was held, rightfully in Scotland in RUGBY IN MALAYSIA The first inter-club match was played in 1902 between Singapore Cricket Club and Selangor Club. But locals were only involved in the game in 1921 when Captain H. T Butler presented a trophy named after the HMS Malaya battleship. So the game started in with Selangor, Ipoh District, Singapore, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan being the first participants with the Malaya Rugby Union which was also established in 1921 as the joint committee. In 1959 the Malaya Rugby Union organised its first international match between Cambridge Universities XV and Malayan XV in Kuala Lumpur.
In 1983 the first Inter-State Rugby tournament was introduced namely the Agomg's Cup and the game's gaining popularity with the first National Inter-Club tournament in 1995. Sevens rugby was introduced in Malaya in 1935 with a competition organised by the Singapore Cricket Club and since then spread throughout the country. In 1963, the famous RSC Jonah Jones Sevens was introduced by Mr Jones. To date there are numerous sevens tournament in Malaysia such as the National Sevens and Super Sevens organised by the Malaysia Rugby Union. There are more than 300 rugby clubs in Malaysia including government bodies and 600 schools playing rugby with 10,000 active players.
History Of Rugby In Malaysia
Rugby in Malaysia is very much older than most people realise. Earlier records shows that the game was being played with great enthusiasm by our predecessors more than a century ago and the rugby match which until recently was one of the most important items in the domestic rugby programme had its beginnings in the 1890's. In those days however there was not much scope for players outside Singapore. The inter club match between the Singapore Cricket Club and the Selangor Club was first played in 1902. But rugby had not begun in Perak and the only match was an annual "Scotland Vs Rest of The World" in Penang which was played in each November in the memory of St. Andrew.
Progress was slow up to the days of the 1st World War but the game in Malaya received a tremendous fillip from the visit of the battleship "HMS Malaya" and the presentation of the "HMS Malaya Cup". This trophy which was meant so much for the game in this country was presented by Captain H. T. butler and the officers of the battleship in 1921 on the occasion of the vessel's first visit to the land whose money built her during the war in 1914 - 1918. During their stay, the ship's officers and crews engaged in a carnival programme of sport all over the country and it was rugby that they proved keenest and most proficient. They played five games during their stay. They were beaten by Selangor 05 - 03 and Ipoh District 03 - 00 but they beat Singapore 11 - 00, Malacca 20 - 04 and Negeri Sembilan 05 - 03. So the honours were with the visitors. After the ship departed, the officers sent to the Chief Secretary, FMS, and the two trophies which are known as the "Malaya Cup". One for rugby and the other for football. They were given perpetuity for annual competitions.
It was decided by a committee formed among the states that the competition should be organised on inter-states lines in two sessions. The northern and southern states playing against each other on the knock-out principle and the champions of each section contesting for the final.
In the northern section, there were four competition sides - Selangor, Perak and Kedah. The southern section comprises Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Singapore and Johor (who entered in 1923). In the early years, the Services (Army, Navy and Air Force) were very small units then combined with Singapore until 1927. In that year they entered as the Combined Services and immediately become a power in the southern section.
In the 1932 - 1933 seasons, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka who were finding it difficult in slum times to raise individual fifteens were granted permission to combine and have played as a single unit since. Forerunner of the Malayan Rugby Union was the abovementioned joint committee of the states which administered the Cup competition formed in 1921. When the Union came into being the committee continued to function side by side with it for a number of years, but eventually in 1935 the control of the HMS Malaya Cup competition passed into the hands of the Union. In the same year the United Services split up into two separate units - the Army forming one and the navy and Air Force combining to form the other.
Dr. H. W. Jack, Rev. R. D. Whitehorn of Selangor and Dr. E. D. Lindow of Singapore were the three men whose enthusiasm and desire to see the game make greater progress in this country. Dr. Jack, one of the finest players who ever appeared on a Malayan rugby ground and one of the selected few who achieved international honours at home (Ireland) was the first Honorary Secretary and Treasurer and fulfilled those duties for six years. Mr. J. M. Bell of Selangor was the first President.
The Union's guiding purpose always has been to control and encourage rugby in Malaysia and it has fulfilled that objective to good effect, if not spectacularly. The years that have passed since it was formed in 1927 have been marked by increasing popularity of the game throughout Malaysia and growing keenness among players.
Prior to the 2nd World War, the MRU was concerned mainly with European players for the appeal of soccer and hockey amongst young Asians steadily growing in sports consciousness was far greater for few players were selected for state teams.
The initial stimulus in popularising the game amongst Asians came from Negeri Sembilan where in 1925 the Negeri Sembilan All Blues were founded by Lt. Commander (Retired) Lander R. N., who became planter in 1922. The "All Blues Cup" presented by the Negeri Sembilan All Blues and subscribed to by supporters in the state was first competed for in 1934. The aims being to encourage inter state rugby among the Asians players. The competition was controlled by the All Blues RFC and was run similarly to the HMS Malaya Cup. Singapore and Perak shared the honours until 1939. Singapore wining four times and Perak twice but in 1940, Penang beat Singapore by 21 - 00 in Kuala Lumpur.
In 1941, there were 08t members of the Malayan Rugby Union that is clubs entitled to vote at general meetings of the Union and which had a voice in the control of its affairs and 19 affiliated clubs which entitled to representation. The member clubs comprised the State and Settlement organisations and the Services units and each was allowed to nominate a Vice President. The member clubs were:
The affiliated clubs were in the main Asian clubs which under the constitution and rules of the Union had to become affiliated to the Union if they wished to arrange fixtures with clubs in membership as follows:
The dominating influence exerted by Perak in the north a few years before the war is reflected in the table of Cup final results. For seven seasons from 1926 to 1932, they were the northern finalists every year. Association with this domination was the brilliant half-back combination of Nicholson and Hill, a team studded with high class exponents of the game. Subsequently, Selangor had a period of ascendancy with the exception in 1934 and 1939 when Penang reached the final. In the southern section, Singapore predominates till 1934 but then the Army becomes supreme appearing in every final. Until 1941, Singapore however won the trophy for five times, more than any other finalist. Perak had four victories to their credit and the Army four times though two times while playing as United Services.
Apart from the HMS Malaya Cup matches culminating in the final, the other classic was the annual North Vs South. The match was inaugurated in the 1927 - 1928 seasons, the year which Malayan Rugby Union was formed. The first match was played in Kuala Lumpur and it was intended to hold it in each of the four principal centers in successive years. Thus the second match was in Singapore, the third in Ipoh and the fourth in Penang. However it was decided in 1932 that the North Vs South match should be played regularly in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur should have the HMS Malaya Cup final. The series was evenly contested up to the outbreak of the Japanese invasion, each side wins seven times.
The only other inter state competition regularly played pre-war was the "Farleigh Robertson Trophy" presented by Dr. Farleigh Robertson, a prominent sportsman in Negeri Sembilan to encourage close friendly rivalry on the rugby field between Negeri Sembilan and Perak. It was held nine times in Perak till 1940 and the record of its movement corresponds pretty accurately with the rise and fall of rugby in Perak.
Although not strictly relevant to the history of MRU, perhaps it's worth noting that one of the early "International" match in the history east of Suez was November 14, 1931 in Singapore when British Army beat the French Army by 06 - 00. The British Army side is largely comprised of Gloucester Regiment players.
On Saturday, January 25, 1941, the last of the pre-war North Vs South games was played on the Selangor Club Padang, Kuala Lumpur. Towards the end of the year the Japanese Army invaded Malaya and rang down the curtain on the activities of all sports in Malaya.
Prompt replies came from J. F. Twitchin in Johor, Paul Starr in Singapore, J. E. A. Clark in Penang and H. M. Van de Gucht also from Johor, other enthusiasts was contacted later. A meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur on October 19, 1946 at which the Malayan RU was officially revived and a President and Committee elected.
The first post-war Annual General Meeting of the Malayan Rugby Union was held in January 11, 1947 in the Selangor Club and such was the enthusiasm and drive of those in charge that Vice President for Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Singapore and the three Services were elected.
The succeeding years tell a story of continued growth and expansion despite the Emergency and numerous other lesser drawbacks. The HMS Malaya Cup games were reviewed in the 1947 - 1948 season and it is of interest to see that the MRU took an increasing interest in the development of rugby amongst Asians by arranging the All Blues final in Kuala Lumpur for the first time in 1948. Towards the end of 1948, doubts were being expressed as to whether the Emergency might not preclude inter-state rugby games. The committee adopted a "wait and see" attitude officially but was resigned to seeing the HMS Malaya Cup competition cancelled and it was.
At the AGM in 1949, a proposal to hold a school North Vs South game was put forward in view of the increasing number of schools now playing rugby. One of the features of the game in post-war Malaya has been the number of schools playing rugby and the increasingly high standard of rugby being played.
The setting up of Schools Sports Council by the government also did a tremendous amount to promote rugby in schools. Particularly through the inter state combined schools competition and through the North Vs South game has never materialised this inter-state competition has especially in the past few seasons produced some exciting rugby. Perak and Johor in particular have turned out good schoolboys sides.
By 1950, the Union was on a firm footing once again even though funds were a trifle low and it arranged four fixtures every season these being:
In that year a tie was designed for award to players in representative matches and to certain officials. Players taking part in either the Civilians Vs Services or North Vs South games were eligible for the award of MRU ties and those in the North Vs South game were entitled to wear a blazer badge. In 1950, Kedah rejoined the MRU and since then has participated in every HMS Malaya Cup competition with other states.
By 1953, rugby was flourishing. The Emergency was by no means over but the corner had been turned and apart from the absence of certain players for a few matches it did not materially affect the conduct of the game. An increasing number of Asians were playing in states sides and the All Blues were again running themselves with a certain amount of help from the State Union and MRU. Schools were taking up the game in increasing numbers.
The arrival of 1st Battalion Fijian Regiment in Malaya brought a new style of rugby onto the scene. Their players were all superbly fit and played hard, robust, rugby football. During the three years they spent in Malaya they never lost a game and did much to encourage a fast open style of play. For most of the time they were stationed in Johor and the inclusion of seven of their players in the State side turned Johor into a formidable team which for three years running won the HMS Malaya Cup. First "hat trick" in the history of competition. Malayan rugby owes the Fijians a great debt, they were splendid sportsman.
By 1954, active consideration was being given to playing an international against Thailand. Expenses were the main drawback. However in November 1955, it was decided to send a team to play three matches in Bangkok and this was duly done. The tour was a great success from the rugby point of view but resulted in a financial loss. It was agreed from that Thailand should be invited to tour Malaya in return and this arrangement has continued on a bi-annual basis ever since. The matches have in the main been good ones and the inclusion of several Malayans on the tour parties going to Thailand has been a notable feature. These players having earned their places on merit. The final match on each tour is always All Malaya Vs All Thailand for the Vajiralongkorn Cup presented by His Majesty the King of Thailand for competition between the two countries.
One further "international" in the history of the Malayan Rugby Union took place in 1959 when the Combined Oxford and Cambridge Universities XV played a Malayan XV in Kuala Lumpur. The visitors fielded six international players and four international trial lists in their side and it was hardly surprising therefore that the Malayan XV were soundly beaten without however being disgraced.
In 1958, it was decided to replace the HMS Malaya Cup. The original of which had vanished from the Long Bar of the Selangor Club during the Occupation with another cup which would be bought from money contributed by rugby players and supporters. In August 1959, the President of MRU, Mr. Ung Khek Chow, the first Malayan to be elected was able to report to the AGM that this had been done. Inevitably, it would seem that the original Cup was found not long afterwards lying in a drain at 4 ½ miles Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. The plinth and top were missing but the Cup itself was undamaged. A new plinth was donated by HMS Terror on behalf of the original donors and the Cup was immediately restored to its rightful position as the premier trophy. The replacement Cup being "retired".
In a thrilling HMS Malaya Cup final at the Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Perak just beat Singapore Services to become the first post-war holders of this original HMS Malaya Cup and it is significant of the vastly improved standards of Asian rugby that Perak team included six Asian players. The standards of the better Asian player were now on a par with those of the better Europeans. Practically every State included Asians in its State XV.
When the worst of the Emergency was over, a regrouping of Services units took place and resulted in some State having strong service side and others virtually none. On a proposal by Dr. A. Loudon Dunlop, President of the MRU in the 1958 - 59 season, two new Unions known as Commonwealth Forces North and Commonwealth Forces South were formed to play in each zone of the competition and this has been the practice ever since through for the last two seasons Commonwealth Forces North have been almost entirely RAAF players from Butterworth and Commonwealth Forces South (renamed Army Malaya at their own request) draw their players from Terendak Garrison.
Throughout this entire period, the three Services in Singapore also known as Singapore Combined Services and currently as Singapore Joint Services have fielded their own team in the HMS Malaya Cup competition. This team is drawn from all three Services and the chairman of the Joint Services Union is appointed in rotation between the three Services. It is a system which works extremely well and Singapore Joint Services have always been a strong side.
The MRU now had an extra trophy and obvious competition organised by the Singapore Cricket Club has since spread up in the country. Many State Unions now runs their own seven-a-side competitions as either a curtain raiser or a finale to a season.
At the Malayan Rugby Union AGM in 1963, it was decided to scrap the Services Vs Civilians game which had outlived its usefulness and substitutes a seven-a-side inter-state tournament to be held at a different venue each year. Perak were given the task of organising the first competition and a Perak side beat an Army (Malaya) side to become the first holder of the trophy.
It is now necessary to cast back a few years and consider the changes that had taken place in the organisation of Services rugby in Malaysia. At the height of the Emergency, British Services units were stationed throughout Malaysia and where possible, participated in the State rugby activities. All State Unions had at least one Services player representative on their committee and Services players were eligible for selection to play. Varied from unit to unit and it was found in practice that some regiments with a tradition of rugby playing were liable to take over most of the positions in a State XV to detriment of the interests of the civilian players unless something was done about it. This lead to ruling by the MRU that no more than seven Services players could be chosen for any State XV except of course Singapore Services. The Wisdom of this ruling was amply demonstrated when Fijians were stationed in Johor.
Asian rugby reached a cross-road in the 1963 - 1964 seasons. The All Blues Cup had been donated to encourage inter-state rugby and improve the standards of the Asian players. By 1960, it was evident that this objective had been attained since Asians were playing in many State sides and were also appearing in All Malaya sides regularly. Maurice Pestana from Penang was awarded the MBE for his services to rugby, Lee Kooi Meng from Perak and Ungku Ibrahim from Johor, to mention only three had all played for the National Team.
Rugby was flourishing in the schools but few of these school boys continued to play the game after they left. It was felt that a youth competition, organised on an inter-state basis might attract these school leavers and encourage them to continue playing. Accordingly, Under 23 inter-state competition was inaugurated by MRU with intention that it supersedes the All Blues competition as and when desired.
The first final was played in Kuala Lumpur in January 1964 when Johor deservedly beat Perak to become the first holder of the Under 23 shield. It seems, at the time of writing as if this competition has attracted the interest of the younger players. Thus rugby in Malaysia today is played in the west coast but not alas in Pahang, Terengganu or Kelantan though there are keen group in Kota Bharu. Distance and finance is the big obstacle in these states coupled with the fact that not all schools play rugby as yet. Rugby is spreading in the schools and Malays in particular take to it very well as evidence by the fact that Johor and Perak have consistently headed the inter-schools championship both including large number of Malays in their sides.
On the HMS Malaya Cup, Europeans players still make up the bulk of the most states side but are being keenly challenged by many young Malaysians whose standards are improving from time to time. There seems very hope therefore that in future years the popularity of rugby will continue to spread and the standard continue to improve so that eventually Malaysian teams will be able to welcome oversea teams to these shores and also possibly make tours of their own. Playing good class rugby but enjoying the sporting and social activities traditionally associated with rugby.
Progress was slow up to the days of the 1st World War but the game in Malaya received a tremendous fillip from the visit of the battleship "HMS Malaya" and the presentation of the "HMS Malaya Cup". This trophy which was meant so much for the game in this country was presented by Captain H. T. butler and the officers of the battleship in 1921 on the occasion of the vessel's first visit to the land whose money built her during the war in 1914 - 1918. During their stay, the ship's officers and crews engaged in a carnival programme of sport all over the country and it was rugby that they proved keenest and most proficient. They played five games during their stay. They were beaten by Selangor 05 - 03 and Ipoh District 03 - 00 but they beat Singapore 11 - 00, Malacca 20 - 04 and Negeri Sembilan 05 - 03. So the honours were with the visitors. After the ship departed, the officers sent to the Chief Secretary, FMS, and the two trophies which are known as the "Malaya Cup". One for rugby and the other for football. They were given perpetuity for annual competitions.
It was decided by a committee formed among the states that the competition should be organised on inter-states lines in two sessions. The northern and southern states playing against each other on the knock-out principle and the champions of each section contesting for the final.
In the northern section, there were four competition sides - Selangor, Perak and Kedah. The southern section comprises Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Singapore and Johor (who entered in 1923). In the early years, the Services (Army, Navy and Air Force) were very small units then combined with Singapore until 1927. In that year they entered as the Combined Services and immediately become a power in the southern section.
In the 1932 - 1933 seasons, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka who were finding it difficult in slum times to raise individual fifteens were granted permission to combine and have played as a single unit since. Forerunner of the Malayan Rugby Union was the abovementioned joint committee of the states which administered the Cup competition formed in 1921. When the Union came into being the committee continued to function side by side with it for a number of years, but eventually in 1935 the control of the HMS Malaya Cup competition passed into the hands of the Union. In the same year the United Services split up into two separate units - the Army forming one and the navy and Air Force combining to form the other.
Dr. H. W. Jack, Rev. R. D. Whitehorn of Selangor and Dr. E. D. Lindow of Singapore were the three men whose enthusiasm and desire to see the game make greater progress in this country. Dr. Jack, one of the finest players who ever appeared on a Malayan rugby ground and one of the selected few who achieved international honours at home (Ireland) was the first Honorary Secretary and Treasurer and fulfilled those duties for six years. Mr. J. M. Bell of Selangor was the first President.
The Union's guiding purpose always has been to control and encourage rugby in Malaysia and it has fulfilled that objective to good effect, if not spectacularly. The years that have passed since it was formed in 1927 have been marked by increasing popularity of the game throughout Malaysia and growing keenness among players.
Prior to the 2nd World War, the MRU was concerned mainly with European players for the appeal of soccer and hockey amongst young Asians steadily growing in sports consciousness was far greater for few players were selected for state teams.
The initial stimulus in popularising the game amongst Asians came from Negeri Sembilan where in 1925 the Negeri Sembilan All Blues were founded by Lt. Commander (Retired) Lander R. N., who became planter in 1922. The "All Blues Cup" presented by the Negeri Sembilan All Blues and subscribed to by supporters in the state was first competed for in 1934. The aims being to encourage inter state rugby among the Asians players. The competition was controlled by the All Blues RFC and was run similarly to the HMS Malaya Cup. Singapore and Perak shared the honours until 1939. Singapore wining four times and Perak twice but in 1940, Penang beat Singapore by 21 - 00 in Kuala Lumpur.
In 1941, there were 08t members of the Malayan Rugby Union that is clubs entitled to vote at general meetings of the Union and which had a voice in the control of its affairs and 19 affiliated clubs which entitled to representation. The member clubs comprised the State and Settlement organisations and the Services units and each was allowed to nominate a Vice President. The member clubs were:
- Army Rugby Football Club, Singapore
- Johor Rugby Football Club, Johor Bharu
- Negeri Sembilan & Melaka Rugby Football Club, Seremban
- Penang Sports Club, Penang
- Perak Rugby Football Club, Ipoh, Perak
- Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Rugby Football Club, Singapore
- Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
- Singapore Cricket Club, Singapore
The affiliated clubs were in the main Asian clubs which under the constitution and rules of the Union had to become affiliated to the Union if they wished to arrange fixtures with clubs in membership as follows:
- Anderson School Rugby XV, Ipoh, Perak
- Eurasian Volunteer Rugby XV, Penang
- FMS Police Rugby Football Club, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
- Klang Club, Klang, Selangor
- Medical College Union Football Club, Singapore
- Negeri Sembilan All Blues Rugby Football Club, Seremban
- Old Edwardians Rugby Football Club, Taiping, Perak
- Penang Chinese Recreation Club, Penang
- Penang Free School, Penang
- Perak Asiatic Rugby Football Club, Ipoh, Perak
- Province Wellesley Rugby XV, Bukit Mertajam, Penang
- Raffles College Union Rugby Football Club, Singapore
- Selangor Chinese Recreation Club, Kuala Lumpur
- Singapore Police Rugby Football Club, Singapore
- Singapore Recreation Club, Singapore
- Singapore Teachers Rugby XV, Singapore
- St. Andrew Rugby XV, Singapore
- Straits Chinese Recreation Club, Singapore
- The High School, Bukit Mertajam, Penang
The dominating influence exerted by Perak in the north a few years before the war is reflected in the table of Cup final results. For seven seasons from 1926 to 1932, they were the northern finalists every year. Association with this domination was the brilliant half-back combination of Nicholson and Hill, a team studded with high class exponents of the game. Subsequently, Selangor had a period of ascendancy with the exception in 1934 and 1939 when Penang reached the final. In the southern section, Singapore predominates till 1934 but then the Army becomes supreme appearing in every final. Until 1941, Singapore however won the trophy for five times, more than any other finalist. Perak had four victories to their credit and the Army four times though two times while playing as United Services.
Apart from the HMS Malaya Cup matches culminating in the final, the other classic was the annual North Vs South. The match was inaugurated in the 1927 - 1928 seasons, the year which Malayan Rugby Union was formed. The first match was played in Kuala Lumpur and it was intended to hold it in each of the four principal centers in successive years. Thus the second match was in Singapore, the third in Ipoh and the fourth in Penang. However it was decided in 1932 that the North Vs South match should be played regularly in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur should have the HMS Malaya Cup final. The series was evenly contested up to the outbreak of the Japanese invasion, each side wins seven times.
The only other inter state competition regularly played pre-war was the "Farleigh Robertson Trophy" presented by Dr. Farleigh Robertson, a prominent sportsman in Negeri Sembilan to encourage close friendly rivalry on the rugby field between Negeri Sembilan and Perak. It was held nine times in Perak till 1940 and the record of its movement corresponds pretty accurately with the rise and fall of rugby in Perak.
Although not strictly relevant to the history of MRU, perhaps it's worth noting that one of the early "International" match in the history east of Suez was November 14, 1931 in Singapore when British Army beat the French Army by 06 - 00. The British Army side is largely comprised of Gloucester Regiment players.
On Saturday, January 25, 1941, the last of the pre-war North Vs South games was played on the Selangor Club Padang, Kuala Lumpur. Towards the end of the year the Japanese Army invaded Malaya and rang down the curtain on the activities of all sports in Malaya.
Prompt replies came from J. F. Twitchin in Johor, Paul Starr in Singapore, J. E. A. Clark in Penang and H. M. Van de Gucht also from Johor, other enthusiasts was contacted later. A meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur on October 19, 1946 at which the Malayan RU was officially revived and a President and Committee elected.
The first post-war Annual General Meeting of the Malayan Rugby Union was held in January 11, 1947 in the Selangor Club and such was the enthusiasm and drive of those in charge that Vice President for Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Singapore and the three Services were elected.
The succeeding years tell a story of continued growth and expansion despite the Emergency and numerous other lesser drawbacks. The HMS Malaya Cup games were reviewed in the 1947 - 1948 season and it is of interest to see that the MRU took an increasing interest in the development of rugby amongst Asians by arranging the All Blues final in Kuala Lumpur for the first time in 1948. Towards the end of 1948, doubts were being expressed as to whether the Emergency might not preclude inter-state rugby games. The committee adopted a "wait and see" attitude officially but was resigned to seeing the HMS Malaya Cup competition cancelled and it was.
At the AGM in 1949, a proposal to hold a school North Vs South game was put forward in view of the increasing number of schools now playing rugby. One of the features of the game in post-war Malaya has been the number of schools playing rugby and the increasingly high standard of rugby being played.
The setting up of Schools Sports Council by the government also did a tremendous amount to promote rugby in schools. Particularly through the inter state combined schools competition and through the North Vs South game has never materialised this inter-state competition has especially in the past few seasons produced some exciting rugby. Perak and Johor in particular have turned out good schoolboys sides.
By 1950, the Union was on a firm footing once again even though funds were a trifle low and it arranged four fixtures every season these being:
- Combined Services Vs Malayan Civilians
- HMS Malaya Cup Final
- North Vs South
- All Blues Final
In that year a tie was designed for award to players in representative matches and to certain officials. Players taking part in either the Civilians Vs Services or North Vs South games were eligible for the award of MRU ties and those in the North Vs South game were entitled to wear a blazer badge. In 1950, Kedah rejoined the MRU and since then has participated in every HMS Malaya Cup competition with other states.
By 1953, rugby was flourishing. The Emergency was by no means over but the corner had been turned and apart from the absence of certain players for a few matches it did not materially affect the conduct of the game. An increasing number of Asians were playing in states sides and the All Blues were again running themselves with a certain amount of help from the State Union and MRU. Schools were taking up the game in increasing numbers.
The arrival of 1st Battalion Fijian Regiment in Malaya brought a new style of rugby onto the scene. Their players were all superbly fit and played hard, robust, rugby football. During the three years they spent in Malaya they never lost a game and did much to encourage a fast open style of play. For most of the time they were stationed in Johor and the inclusion of seven of their players in the State side turned Johor into a formidable team which for three years running won the HMS Malaya Cup. First "hat trick" in the history of competition. Malayan rugby owes the Fijians a great debt, they were splendid sportsman.
By 1954, active consideration was being given to playing an international against Thailand. Expenses were the main drawback. However in November 1955, it was decided to send a team to play three matches in Bangkok and this was duly done. The tour was a great success from the rugby point of view but resulted in a financial loss. It was agreed from that Thailand should be invited to tour Malaya in return and this arrangement has continued on a bi-annual basis ever since. The matches have in the main been good ones and the inclusion of several Malayans on the tour parties going to Thailand has been a notable feature. These players having earned their places on merit. The final match on each tour is always All Malaya Vs All Thailand for the Vajiralongkorn Cup presented by His Majesty the King of Thailand for competition between the two countries.
One further "international" in the history of the Malayan Rugby Union took place in 1959 when the Combined Oxford and Cambridge Universities XV played a Malayan XV in Kuala Lumpur. The visitors fielded six international players and four international trial lists in their side and it was hardly surprising therefore that the Malayan XV were soundly beaten without however being disgraced.
In 1958, it was decided to replace the HMS Malaya Cup. The original of which had vanished from the Long Bar of the Selangor Club during the Occupation with another cup which would be bought from money contributed by rugby players and supporters. In August 1959, the President of MRU, Mr. Ung Khek Chow, the first Malayan to be elected was able to report to the AGM that this had been done. Inevitably, it would seem that the original Cup was found not long afterwards lying in a drain at 4 ½ miles Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. The plinth and top were missing but the Cup itself was undamaged. A new plinth was donated by HMS Terror on behalf of the original donors and the Cup was immediately restored to its rightful position as the premier trophy. The replacement Cup being "retired".
In a thrilling HMS Malaya Cup final at the Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Perak just beat Singapore Services to become the first post-war holders of this original HMS Malaya Cup and it is significant of the vastly improved standards of Asian rugby that Perak team included six Asian players. The standards of the better Asian player were now on a par with those of the better Europeans. Practically every State included Asians in its State XV.
When the worst of the Emergency was over, a regrouping of Services units took place and resulted in some State having strong service side and others virtually none. On a proposal by Dr. A. Loudon Dunlop, President of the MRU in the 1958 - 59 season, two new Unions known as Commonwealth Forces North and Commonwealth Forces South were formed to play in each zone of the competition and this has been the practice ever since through for the last two seasons Commonwealth Forces North have been almost entirely RAAF players from Butterworth and Commonwealth Forces South (renamed Army Malaya at their own request) draw their players from Terendak Garrison.
Throughout this entire period, the three Services in Singapore also known as Singapore Combined Services and currently as Singapore Joint Services have fielded their own team in the HMS Malaya Cup competition. This team is drawn from all three Services and the chairman of the Joint Services Union is appointed in rotation between the three Services. It is a system which works extremely well and Singapore Joint Services have always been a strong side.
The MRU now had an extra trophy and obvious competition organised by the Singapore Cricket Club has since spread up in the country. Many State Unions now runs their own seven-a-side competitions as either a curtain raiser or a finale to a season.
At the Malayan Rugby Union AGM in 1963, it was decided to scrap the Services Vs Civilians game which had outlived its usefulness and substitutes a seven-a-side inter-state tournament to be held at a different venue each year. Perak were given the task of organising the first competition and a Perak side beat an Army (Malaya) side to become the first holder of the trophy.
It is now necessary to cast back a few years and consider the changes that had taken place in the organisation of Services rugby in Malaysia. At the height of the Emergency, British Services units were stationed throughout Malaysia and where possible, participated in the State rugby activities. All State Unions had at least one Services player representative on their committee and Services players were eligible for selection to play. Varied from unit to unit and it was found in practice that some regiments with a tradition of rugby playing were liable to take over most of the positions in a State XV to detriment of the interests of the civilian players unless something was done about it. This lead to ruling by the MRU that no more than seven Services players could be chosen for any State XV except of course Singapore Services. The Wisdom of this ruling was amply demonstrated when Fijians were stationed in Johor.
Asian rugby reached a cross-road in the 1963 - 1964 seasons. The All Blues Cup had been donated to encourage inter-state rugby and improve the standards of the Asian players. By 1960, it was evident that this objective had been attained since Asians were playing in many State sides and were also appearing in All Malaya sides regularly. Maurice Pestana from Penang was awarded the MBE for his services to rugby, Lee Kooi Meng from Perak and Ungku Ibrahim from Johor, to mention only three had all played for the National Team.
Rugby was flourishing in the schools but few of these school boys continued to play the game after they left. It was felt that a youth competition, organised on an inter-state basis might attract these school leavers and encourage them to continue playing. Accordingly, Under 23 inter-state competition was inaugurated by MRU with intention that it supersedes the All Blues competition as and when desired.
The first final was played in Kuala Lumpur in January 1964 when Johor deservedly beat Perak to become the first holder of the Under 23 shield. It seems, at the time of writing as if this competition has attracted the interest of the younger players. Thus rugby in Malaysia today is played in the west coast but not alas in Pahang, Terengganu or Kelantan though there are keen group in Kota Bharu. Distance and finance is the big obstacle in these states coupled with the fact that not all schools play rugby as yet. Rugby is spreading in the schools and Malays in particular take to it very well as evidence by the fact that Johor and Perak have consistently headed the inter-schools championship both including large number of Malays in their sides.
On the HMS Malaya Cup, Europeans players still make up the bulk of the most states side but are being keenly challenged by many young Malaysians whose standards are improving from time to time. There seems very hope therefore that in future years the popularity of rugby will continue to spread and the standard continue to improve so that eventually Malaysian teams will be able to welcome oversea teams to these shores and also possibly make tours of their own. Playing good class rugby but enjoying the sporting and social activities traditionally associated with rugby.
Malaysian Rugby History
Rugby was introduced to the British colony of British Malaya/Malaya in the late 19th century. It has had a steady presence since the beginning of the 20th century, when the Malay Cup between Singapore national rugby union team and Malaysia national rugby union team (Malaya) was established, which is one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world.
There is also the Agong's Cup (Piala Agong) which are played between the 13 states in Malaysia, the 3 Federal Territories, Royal Malay Regiment (Army) and Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).
The first inter-club match was played in 1902 between Singapore Cricket Club and Royal Selangor Club (RSC). RSC has also hosted one of the oldest rugby sevens tournaments in Asia, the Jonah Jones Rugby Sevens Tournament.
The Malaysians have been instrumental in setting up a number of other South Asian competitions, which have helped bolster the game in the region, amongst these were an Asian "round robin" tournament between Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia (Tri-Nation).
However, while the game is popular at school level, economic factors prevent many people playing after they leave. Amongst the other Malaysian innovations has been the game of rugby tens (formed by COBRA)- yet another smaller variant on the usually fifteen a side game. Malaysia also has a Malaysia national rugby union seven team.
HMS Malaya Cup (Agong's Cup)
The major trophy is the "HMS Malaya Cup" which was first presented in 1921 and still is awarded to the winners of the Malay sevens. The original trophy was presented by the officers and men of a United Kingdom (British). It is name by HMS Malaya Battleship (1915). In honour of this, the competition was renamed the HMS Malaya Cup in 1933. A soccer cup of the same name began at the same time, but has since changed its name to the Malaysia Cup.
There is also the Agong's Cup (Piala Agong) which are played between the 13 states in Malaysia, the 3 Federal Territories, Royal Malay Regiment (Army) and Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).
The first inter-club match was played in 1902 between Singapore Cricket Club and Royal Selangor Club (RSC). RSC has also hosted one of the oldest rugby sevens tournaments in Asia, the Jonah Jones Rugby Sevens Tournament.
The Malaysians have been instrumental in setting up a number of other South Asian competitions, which have helped bolster the game in the region, amongst these were an Asian "round robin" tournament between Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia (Tri-Nation).
However, while the game is popular at school level, economic factors prevent many people playing after they leave. Amongst the other Malaysian innovations has been the game of rugby tens (formed by COBRA)- yet another smaller variant on the usually fifteen a side game. Malaysia also has a Malaysia national rugby union seven team.
HMS Malaya Cup (Agong's Cup)
The major trophy is the "HMS Malaya Cup" which was first presented in 1921 and still is awarded to the winners of the Malay sevens. The original trophy was presented by the officers and men of a United Kingdom (British). It is name by HMS Malaya Battleship (1915). In honour of this, the competition was renamed the HMS Malaya Cup in 1933. A soccer cup of the same name began at the same time, but has since changed its name to the Malaysia Cup.
2009 COBRA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP (10's)
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| RMR Warriors (Blue) was stun by NS Wanderers (Yellow) 0 - 28 Semi Final Plate 1 at 40th HSBC Cobra 10's 2009 Rugby Championship |
Lovell Rugby Equipment
You can buy rugby item or equipment directly from this site. Hurry don't be late...
21 April 2011
2008 Kedah Rugby League 15's
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| 2008 Runners-Up Kedah Rugby League 15's (RMR Warriors Players) Left to Right (Stand): Din Suboh, Azrul, Pak Ya, Sani, Nan, Said (Manager), Wak Lobo, Wadi, Apek, Panjang, Lan G. Left to Right (Squat): Mail, Hafiz, Mat Semut, Mat Yen, Che At K, Wak Dol, Lenggong, Husin |
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