25 Feb SMK Sri Mersing claim maiden MCKK Premier 7s title

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Mersing (SMSM) ended Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)’s reign in the MCKK Premier 7s after causing an upset to win 14-12 in the final at Kuala Kangsar earlier today.

SSTMI – four-time holders of the prestigious N.J. Ryan Trophy – went into the match as the favorites to win the title for the fifth time only for SMSM’s Muhammad Faiq Aslah Mohd Satar to surprise the holders with a brilliant solo run before following up with a conversion to put his team 7-0 in the lead.

A SMK Sri Mersing player (black jersey) in action during the final of the MCKK Premier 7s earlier today. SMK Sri Mersing won 14-12.

However, SSTMI reduced the deficit early in the second half through a try from Muhammad Nur Faisol Arshad. SMSM bounced back through Faiq Aslah’s second try of the match and he extended the score line through a conversion before SSTMI’s Syafiq Azizi Sulaiman hit back just before the end. It was a little too late for the former champions to force a comeback as the match ended 14-12 sparking celebrations from SMSM camp.

Assistant coach of SMSM, Mohd Shafie Buang was delighted with the way his team performed and highlighted his players winning mentality which helped them stun the favourites in the final.

“We are extremely grateful and thankful of this great achievement for our school and we want to dedicate this happy moment to the head coach, Zulkefli Mohd Amin, who recently suffered a heart attack. We hope this will be a motivation for our players to continue doing their best,” said Shafie after the match.

He added, the players will take this victory as a stepping stone to prepare for future competitions and hope to add on more silverware.

Faiq Aslah was adjudged the unifi Best Player of the Tournament after fine performances throughout the tournament.

Hosts, MCKK went one better in this edition with a third place finish after defeating Kedah side, Sekolah Menengah Sains Pokok Sena (SAINA) in the 3rd / 4th playoff, 10-7.

The Plate category featured teams who were defeated in the quarterfinals of the Cup Category and it was Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Gombak (INTERGOM) who came out on top after crushing Royal Military College (RMC) 29-0 in the final.

The day’s other final matches’ saw Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah (SAS) taking home the Shield Category after edging MRSM Kuala Terengganu (MRSMKT) 14-12 while Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Kuantan (INTEK) bagged the Bowl Category with a 24-19 victory over Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan King George V.

MCKK Premier 7s 2018 (Day 3 – 25 February 2018)
RESULTS:

Cup Category:
Semi-final: Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) – SM Sains Pokok Sena (SAINA); Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) 5–19 SMK Sri Mersing (SMSM)

3RD / 4TH place: SM Sains Pokok Sena (SAINA) 7-10 Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK)

Final: Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) 12-14 SMK Seri Mersing (SMSM)

Plate Category:
Final: Royal Military College (RMC) 0-29 Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Gombak (INTERGOM)

Bowl Category:
Final: Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Kuantan (INTEK) 24–19 Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan King George V (KGV)

Shield Category:
Final: MRSM Kuala Terengganu (MRSMKT) 12–14 Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah (SAS)