Rugby: Western Heights take 10s trophy, again

Western Heights High School have won the Cobra Schools Rugby 10s in Malaysia for the second time.

In 2014 Western Heights High School won the Cobra Schools Rugby 10s in Malaysia.

This week they won the title for the second time.

The tournament has been played since 1996 and Western Heights is the only international team to win it.

But this year, it nearly didn't happen, with the trip almost cancelled two days before the team left due to a heat wave in Malaysia where temperatures were hitting 39C.

Games had to be rescheduled to be played either between 7.30am and 10am or later, between 5pm and 8pm.

Temperatures were still in the mid-30s and humidity was above 80 per cent.

Games were seven minutes each way and coaches Shannon Wrigley and Ellie James and manager Carleen Martin ensured the boys were hydrated.

The first game was a 7-5 loss to Negeri Sembilan.

The boys who hadn't adjusted to the temperature struggled, putting the team under pressure to win their remaining two games with a bonus point to make the cup quarters.

The game was played late evening against Kedah and the boys adjusted well and won 20-0, grabbing the required bonus point.

The last game was won 24-0 against Sebah to ensure a place in the cup play-offs.

In the quarter-final, Western Heights beat last year's winners Johor 26-10.

The semifinal was a repeat of the first day's game against Negeri Sembilan, with Western Heights gaining revenge for the opening defeat, running out impressive 40-5 winners.

Up against the unbeaten Perak in the final, Western Heights turned it on to win 25-0.

Western Heights captain Brodie Wood was named player of the final.