The record in the souvenir programme shows...COBRA Champions - 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 (there was no tournament in 2002 and Cobra did not participate in 2004 because it clashed with the Sandakan 10s)...and now COBRA - Champions 2005!

Victory did not come easy over the weekend. Missing were 4 of our top players who were playing in the RWC qualifiying in India and also a few regulars.We had a squad of only 4 players (Ah Soh, Isoa, Mat Lan and Mat Romli) who had played 10s for Cobra together with 5 teenagers (Abang 17, Adik 17, Black 17, Matthew 19 and Faiz 19). With only three 10s training sessions after a long 15s season, I personally felt that we might come out short in the big games. However, winning this year's Taiping 10s made me realize that nothing can take the place of a group of dedicated players...playing together as a team...with a very high level of TEAM SPIRIT (this never say die Cobra attitude)!

Saturday 11th June
Cobra played the group games on Saturday...miserably. Scrapping through the first game by beating SMSSOB 19-0. Although there were some improvements in the second game when we beat BIB 43-0, we again played badly in the last pool game against DBI Warlords by beating them 17-0. Our below average performances was the result of the lack of communication and also not using our game plan that we have been training...ie playing the As, Bs and Cs (for some of you who have been with our 10s team you know what I mean)

Sunday 12th June
A new day and a new beginning. Cobra breezed through the quarterfinals by beating ORCA 48-0. In the semi-finals Cobra brushed aside defending champions JLJ 24-7. This was probably the toughest game so far with the very experienced Army boys from Port Dickson providing stiff opposition throughout the whole game. Winning was only assured in the last few minutes of the game when Mat Lan scored the 4th try.

The good news in the QFs and SFs was the team started to talk a lot more in defence and also in attacks. We were also using our game plan...a lot...to near perfection. In the other semi finals NS Wanderers beat Staroba Orange 12-0, setting the stage for another thrilling encounter...a repeat of the 2003 finals where we beat NS 21-0...but with a very much stronger Cobra side that included 'oldman' Vuni, Gabuk, Willy, Setan, Mark Oi, Ramesh, Peter, Lipas. This time around in the starting lineup we had new boys: Azan, Betty, Black, Sevu, Apen, Faiz, Kini and veterans...captain marvel Ah Soh, Isoa and Mat lan.

As usual NS Wanderers, with their free flowing rugby...beat all the teams along the way convincingly and with ease...were not only the crowd favourites...they were also the tournament favourites.

After the band played and the players were introduced to MRU President HRH Syed Razlan, the battle began. From NS's kick off, Isoa received a pass in our 22m and kicked the ball into NS's half. From the lineout NS kicked the ball into our 22m again and Faiz at fullback kicked it back into their half. This went on for a couple of minutes as both sides did not dare make the first move in respect of each other. In fact a section of the crowd shouted 'main pakat kah' (is this game fixed). As in the MRU Super league game played a month ago in Seremban, NS made the first move. From their ruck in our half their big Fijian forward took the ball blind and raced 30m to score an unconverted try at the corner flag. NS led 5-0. From one of our attacks, Mat Lan was sin-binned for throwing the ball away after a tackle at the sideline. In the next couple of minutes before halftime, we defended well with 9 players and did not let NS increase their lead.

A great pep talk during the breather and reminding the boys that we need to get more better quality possessions...stick to our game plan in attacks and to hold our line in defence...made the difference going into ther second half. From our kick off, our defence came up in a disciplined line and forced NS to kick the ball into touch. Winning the lineout with ease... Ah Soh launched a moving maul that resulted into a series of rucks. An NS player was caught offside. Faiz converted the penalty to narrow the gap to 3-5. From the restart, NS's fullback fumbled the ball and we were given a scrum. Winning a great scrum Isoa together with Jitbreet and Kini worked their way into NS's 22m. After a series of clean rucks by Ah Soh, Azan and Betty...Black swung a perfect pass to Kini who side stepped through the NS defence to score a try under the post. Faiz converted to give Cobra a 10-5 lead.

From the kick off, under pressure from Cobra's chasing pack, NS's fullback fumbled again in their 15m. After winning another great scrum, Black swung the ball to Isoa to go wide. After stretching the NS's defence line, Isoa recollected the ball, danced through six NS players before planting a try. The crowd jumped to their feet and gave him a standing ovation. Faiz failed in his conversion and Cobra's lead was now 15-7.

In the whole of the 2nd half NS had not even once crossed into Cobra's half. With the little possessions they had...they lost them all because our very aggressive defense line that gave them very little space to move. Time and again they were tackled and the ball was turned over to Cobra. As in all great ending, Cobra saved the best try for last. From a scrum in NS 22m, Cobra called for 'Arrow', our secret weapon. Faiz who had switched position with Isoa at stand off...passed the ball to Jitbreet at center...Kini playing as a 'loosie' made a 'dummy' inside run ...Jitbreet instead of passing to Kini...passed the ball to Faiz coming around (the movements caught the whole NS defense flatfooted). Faiz then passed the ball to Mat Lan who made the try scoring pass to Isoa to plant a try at the corner flag unchallenged.

Final Score: Cobra 20 NS Wanderers 5

Team: Azan. Ah Soh (Capt). Betty. Sevu. Kini. Black. Isoa. Faiz. Mat Lan. Apen.
Replacements: Abang. Adik. Matthew. Jitbreet. Mat Romli.
Manager: Raymond Rajah Coach: Boon HC. Mat Romli.

Thank you to our first time team manager, Raymond. You did great by making sure that the boys equipments, drinks, food etc etc. were all very well looked after. Your organization skills is second to none. Thank you to Rory and naza for your small contribution to the teams small celebration. And lastly thank you to TJ for being there on Sunday with his family to lend support to the team. We did great...man!

Cheers,
HC Boon