University of Nottingham Rugby Club Wins Tournament

It was a sweet victory for the University of Nottingham Rugby Club at the 2011 Malaysia Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU) Rugby tournament on April 23, 2011. The Nottingham Knights took home the much-coveted cup without giving up a score during the annual tournament held at Universiti Tenaga Nasional in Bangi.

The Knights, led by team captain Luke Thornborrow, kicked off the tournament with a 33-0 win over its touted tournament rival, HELP University College. Aggressive offense and masterful defense powered the Knights to the top of the group eliminations. Tries from seniors Tony Low and Michael Ellis led the Knights to their subsequent wins over Monash University (19-0) and International Medical University (12-0).

The Knights breezed through the semi-finals defeating Taylor’s University 24-0. For the finals the Knights faced Nilai International. Despite the gruelling heat the Knights scored a try just 15 seconds after kickoff and claimed the championship with a final score of 26-0.  

Although 6 senior players are set to graduate in July, the Knights look forward to a bright future with over 35 members in training.  Formal training is set to resume in September and the Knights hope to continue making Nottingham University proud in the years to come.

Members of the Team:

1. Luke Thornborrow (C)

2. Aliff Akmal Che Aziz

3. Wan Muhammad Afeq

4. Muhammad Bin Abdullah

5. Sulaiman Sani

6. Micheal Ellis

7. Tony Low

8. Bobby Nthutang

9. Jeffrey Johan John

10. Abdulrahman Khelef

Substitutes

11. Fayaddh Faiz

12. Wan Ahmad Syahir

13. Talhah Jailani

14. Afiq Amran

15. Ahnaf Mazkamal