PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan Wanderers celebrated their 40th anniversary in style after beating traditional rivals Cobra to clinch the Tuanku Ja'afar Cup today (Dec 29).
Wanderers, coached by Anwarrul Aswad Ahmad, left no room for drama as they clinched a 20-5 win in the 10s format match at Padang Utara to secure the fourth edition of the Cup.
The Tuanku Ja'afar Cup is a friendly competition between the two clubs, who have a special relationship both on and off the pitch.
Cobra, however, got some consolation as they beat Wanderers 22-12 in the veterans match that was held after the main match.
Anwarrul said it was a special moment for Wanderers.
"We fielded an experienced side who knew what they had to do. It did not take long for them to settle into the match," said Anwarrul.
"Although this is meant to be a friendly competition, the games have always been fiercely contested. There is no love lost when we play each other.
"We had never beaten Cobra in this competition prior to this and to do it in our 40th anniversary year just makes it special.
"This win is also for the late Haji Jalil, our founder, who passed away two years ago. He would have enjoyed this win."
Abdul Jalil Borhanuddin, who passed away in late 2022, founded Wanderers in 1984.
The former national player was also the Negri Sembilan Rugby Union president from 1992-2019 and helmed Malaysia Rugby Union from 2002-2005.