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Quater Final News
MATA KERIS24 Apr 2012 - 12:16
Keris' experience triumphs over Lions' exuberance
AN experienced Keris Conlay side edged the young and exuberant UiTM Lions 25-22 in a thrilling Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU) Super League quarter-final at the Bellamy grounds on Sunday.
The Lions were quick to make their mark on the game and opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute through scrumhalf Mohd Hafiz Hamzah, who gathered his own kick on the flank to score.
Conlay, however, were quick to regroup and reply through Fijian import Aestonia Vaqa Saukuru in the 11th minute and then took the lead in the 26th through their other Fijian import Waisea Naserai to finish the half with a 10-7 lead.
The Lions came out firing after the break to retake the lead through prop Mohd Syahimy Abdul Aziz in the 44th minute and extended their lead with another try through fullback Mohd Azdly Che Omar in the 49th.
But Conlay reduced the deficit two minutes later when Naserai converted a penalty.
UiTM appeared to have sealed the win when flanker Omar Ismail managed to break through to score on the left and see his side establish a comfortable 22-13 lead.
It was, however, not to be for the National Inter-club Championships (NICC) semi-finalists.
A late surge saw Saukuru emerge the hero for Conlay with two late tries in the 72nd and 77th minute.
The second try was successfully converted by Naserai which was enough to see his side book their spot in the semi-finals.
Conlay coach Hisham Hassan said: "It was a really tough game for us as we had a hard time settling down until the last quarter of the match.
"Our forwards were just unable to do their job well and our backline suffered as a result, but thankfully we managed to pull through."
The coach added: "We are still on track to make the final, however, we have a tough game against Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (TMISS) and will have to be on top of our game next week if we are to make the final."
Meanwhile, the other quarter-final saw NICC champions TMISS emerge comfortable 35-19 winners over Bandaraya Dragons to book their spot in the semi-finals against Conlay.
The other semi-final will see Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (Cobra) meet ATM JLJ.
Both matches will be played at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang on Sunday. By Fadhli Ishak
The Lions were quick to make their mark on the game and opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute through scrumhalf Mohd Hafiz Hamzah, who gathered his own kick on the flank to score.
Conlay, however, were quick to regroup and reply through Fijian import Aestonia Vaqa Saukuru in the 11th minute and then took the lead in the 26th through their other Fijian import Waisea Naserai to finish the half with a 10-7 lead.
The Lions came out firing after the break to retake the lead through prop Mohd Syahimy Abdul Aziz in the 44th minute and extended their lead with another try through fullback Mohd Azdly Che Omar in the 49th.
But Conlay reduced the deficit two minutes later when Naserai converted a penalty.
UiTM appeared to have sealed the win when flanker Omar Ismail managed to break through to score on the left and see his side establish a comfortable 22-13 lead.
It was, however, not to be for the National Inter-club Championships (NICC) semi-finalists.
A late surge saw Saukuru emerge the hero for Conlay with two late tries in the 72nd and 77th minute.
The second try was successfully converted by Naserai which was enough to see his side book their spot in the semi-finals.
Conlay coach Hisham Hassan said: "It was a really tough game for us as we had a hard time settling down until the last quarter of the match.
"Our forwards were just unable to do their job well and our backline suffered as a result, but thankfully we managed to pull through."
The coach added: "We are still on track to make the final, however, we have a tough game against Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (TMISS) and will have to be on top of our game next week if we are to make the final."
Meanwhile, the other quarter-final saw NICC champions TMISS emerge comfortable 35-19 winners over Bandaraya Dragons to book their spot in the semi-finals against Conlay.
The other semi-final will see Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (Cobra) meet ATM JLJ.
Both matches will be played at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang on Sunday. By Fadhli Ishak
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