Universiti Brunei Darussalam Sharks players (black) in action against the Miri Rhinos during an earlier BRFU Premiership match. Picture: BT file
The Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Sharks are keeping their rugby skills sharp and polished despite a hectic and busy schedule.
The conclusion of the Brunei Rugby Football Union (BRFU) Premiership saw a large chunk of the Sharks roster lacing up for the national team for the recently concluded Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Asian 5 Nations Division IV tournament.
UBD Sharks coach Mogamat Shafeek Kamalie told The Brunei Times that their involvement in the national squad meant that not much was going on in context of the team preparing for anything specific.
"We are not training as a group at the moment. most of the players play touch on a continuous basis so that helps with their general fitness and keeps them sharp skill wise," said Mogamat. Mogamat noted that the UBD Sharks may take part in the upcoming Brunei 7s series, depending on whether or not it clashes with the exam period of the students.
The Brunei Leopards won last year's edition of the series - played over three rounds - by topping the six-team table with 26 points, ahead of the Belait Pythons with 24 and the Knights Rugby Football Club with 18.
Asked on the importance of the Sharks returning to the series to avenge some of their losses, the coach replied that they would just treat the series the same as any other competition.
"As for aiming to win it to make up for our previous losses... We've put that behind us and will face this competition as we faced all others," said the coach. "Play to the best of our ability, play fair and play hard," Mogamat added.
With the fasting month of Ramadhan around the corner, Mogamat noted that the decision for a training programme during the month has yet to be decided.
It has been a mixed year for the Sharks.
They lost their Darussalam Cup title to the Knights in May. The Sharks progressed to the final after a 14-7 win over the Belait Pythons. They put up an impressive performance in the title decider but was ultimately beaten 17-15 by the Knights via a last minute penalty.
Their league clashes saw an even battle where they managed to pick up two wins and two losses. They thrashed the Bandar Blacks 67-0 and secured a 26-14 win over the Miri Rhinos. They fell 25-15 to the Belait Pythons and lost by a narrow margin of 30-22 to the Knights.
