KUALA KANGSAR: Defending champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) were in a class of their own as they marched into the quarter-finals of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) Premier on Saturday without even conceding a single point.
SSTMI, playing in Group A, opened their campaign with a 24-0 drubbing of Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor (SMSS), before thrashing SMK King George V (KGV) 44-0 in their second match.
The three-time champions (2011, 2012 and 2013), who are gunning a record fourth N.J. Ryan trophy, completed the onslaught with a 29-0 win over Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah.
Despite the perfect start to their title defence, coach Syed Shazril Syed Mahadir believes the team could have done better, especially in the second seven minutes of the match.
Meanwhile in Group B, Hong Kong Sports School (HKSS) lived up to their billing as runners-up from last year, with three wins from three matches.
The 2015 champions first beat Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak (SDAR) 24-0, before a tight match against SMK ABI, in which the visitors won 12-10. HKSS then defeated Sabah College (SCKK) 19-5 to top the group.
Host MCKK also did not disappoint when they saw off Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Kuantan (INTEK) 29-7, before thumping debutants SMA Darunnajah of Indonesia 58-0 to retain their Group C top spot. MCKK had on Friday defeated SMKA Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab (SHOAW) 29-5.
MCKK quarter-final fixtures - Feb 26:
• SMK Sri Mersing (SMSM) vs Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR)
• Hong Kong Sports School (HKSS) vs SMK King Edward VII (KEVII)
• Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) vs SMKA Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab (SHOAW)
• Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) vs English College (EC)