Knights are put to the sword

Written by Ray Leos

Monday, 19 January 2009

PSE Garudas thrash Sisowath Knights 64-7 in the Cambodian Rugby Premiership Photo by: Heng Chivoan Yorn Vantha of the Sisowath Knights (centre top) leaps to catch a line-out during the match against PSE Garudas at the Old Stadium. PSE Garudas continued their domination of the Cambodian Rugby Premiership as they rolled over the outmanned Sisowath Knights 64-7 Sunday afternoon at Phnom Penh's Old Stadium. The outcome of the match was never in doubt as the Garudas surged to a 40-7 half time lead and used their superior speed and quickness to wear down the slower Sisowath side. The Garudas sit on top of the league having won both their games this season with the Knights yet to record a victory. Garuda flanker Chey Sophal opened the scoring after just ten minutes with a nifty 20-metre run off a ruck in the middle of the field, as he fended off three attempted tackles on his way to the tryline. Scrumhalf and Garuda captain Pich Ratana converted to give the Garudas a 7-0 advantage.

The Garudas continued their offensive onslaught with tries from flanker Ra Naren and center Ros Chansophorn in the 20th and 25th minutes. Pich Ratana made good on both conversions, extending the lead to 21-0.

Knights' consolation points
Sisowath momentarily stemmed the onslaught in the 30th minute as flanker Dave Friedberg intercepted a Garuda pass and rumbled in from 12 metres to score. Friedberg successfully converted his own try, cutting the Garuda lead to 21-7.

But Sisowath's hopes were dashed moments later as center Vannak Vireak took a pass off a ruck and sprinted down the sideline from 50 metres out to score the try in the 33rd minute. Pich Ratana's conversion made it 28-7.

The Garudas then added two more tries just before halftime with tries from hooker Uk Dara and winger Nhep Ratha, upping the score to 40-7 at the intermission.

The second half was played at a slower pace with the Garudas maintaining possession throughout most of the final 40 minutes and scoring four tries in the last 15. The tries came from center Som Chanphearom (65th minute), Nhep Ratha (70th minute), Ra Naren (73rd minute) and Chey Sophal (76th minute).

Sisowath prop Chro Kim Seang felt his team could not compete with the Garuda speed in the backline.

"They are very fast," he said. "We pushed good in the scrum, but it wasn't enough. When they get to play in the open field it is over [for us]."

Garudas skipper Pich Ratana was pleased with the performance of his team although he felt his forwards could have played better.