PH Volcanoes smother rugby field for gold in SEA Games

SINGAPORE—As promised, the Philippine men’s team captured the gold medal while its women’s team bagged a bronze Sunday in the Southeast Asian Games rugby 7s competitions at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

The PH Volcanoes destroyed everything in their path, capping their overpowering run with a 24-7 demolition of Malaysia in the finals.

Ranked first in the region, the Volcanoes imposed their vast experience over the field that also included Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Singapore. The Filipinos finished second when the event was last held eight years ago.

Earlier, the Lady Volcanoes, hoping to just land in the podium, did just that with a 22-0 rout of Malaysia.

The Volcanoes unloaded five tries after testing the Malaysians’ defenses in the early going of the championship match.

Patrice David Olivier broke the ice after five minutes and 32 seconds. Justine Coveney next scored in the 10th and last minute of the first half which was converted by Jake Letts for an imposing 12-0 advantage.

Matthew Saunders once again chalked a try in the 11th and Alex Aronson made the conversion kick for a 19-0 buffer.