THE much anticipated Malaysian Rugby Union Super League Cup final match between table toppers COBRA and whipping boys SMS Old Boys ended in disappointment after COBRA were awarded a walkover at the Universiti Putra Malaysia ground yesterday.

The Old Boys were short of one player for the start with only 11. As a result, COBRA became the new league champions with seven wins and three draws. They finished third last year.

The match was poised to be an exciting affair as COBRA, who had 24 points, would have faced a tight battle to lift the Cup with defending champions NS Wanderers only one point behind.

COBRA finished on top with 27 points, with the Wanderers clinching the Plate with 26 points after defeating Staroba Orange 38-29.

Though COBRA were tipped to win the title after holding back the Wanderers 21-12 last week on the KGV field in Seremban, the champions were nonetheless disappointed that their final match against the Old Boys did not see any action.

"We are very disappointed because this is a main rugby tournament.

We would have loved to play. There is no winner until the final whistle is blown," said COBRA club convenor Nazarudin Borhan.

The win also earned nine COBRA players call-ups for selection to the national team.

In the Plate final, Staroba took a 14-5 lead against the Wanderers in the first half, but faded in the second.