Reclaiming the throne of Melaka rugby

By Aydin Zachary

Big dreams, bigger hearts. The KYS Rammers are more than a team—we’re a brotherhood. Fueled by passion and forged in resilience, we prove that belief drives success, brilliance comes from grit, and greatness belongs to those who dedicate, innovate, and dominate.

On the 23rd and 24th of November 2024, the KYS U15 Rammers rose to the occasion, battling fiercely in the highly anticipated MSSNM U15 tournament on our home turf.

More than just a competition, this tournament was a mission—to reclaim our title as Melaka’s rugby powerhouse and secure our place at the prestigious Kejohanan Rugby Malaysia.

The first day tested our spirit and strength. But the Rammers didn’t fold—we stood our ground and made our mark:

• KYS 7-7 SMK Seri Tanjung
• KYS 28-0 SMS Alor Gajah
• KYS 22-12 MRSM Alor Gajah

Each match was a battle, but we powered through, proving that the Rammers were back—relentless, and ready to dominate.

With Day Two, came the knockouts and the quarterfinals—where every match meant survival.

We kicked off against a strong MRSM Terendak side, grinding out a hard-earned victory:

• KYS 8-5 MRSM Terendak

That win lit a fire. In the semifinals, we unleashed our full strength against SMK Bukit Baru, delivering a dominant performance:

• KYS 35-0 SMK Bukit Baru

We were one step away from the crown.

Then came the finals—our shot at glory, the moment we had worked toward all year. After falling short the previous year, the Rammers were ready to finish what we started. Spirits were high, hearts were full, and belief ran deep.

Despite our best efforts, we fell to a strong SMK Telok Mas side:

• KYS 7-24 SMK Telok Mas

Still, we finished as proud runners-up of Melaka, with heads held high and hearts burning brighter than ever.

Throughout the tournament, several players made their mark on the scoreboard:

• 1 Try each from: Aydin Zachary, Ikram Hazri, Rafique Ilhami, Nor Ayman, Muhammad Qayyum, Adam Bakhtiar, Aryan, and Raja Haziq

• 2 Tries: Anas Naufal

• 7 Tries: Mohamad Feras

The journey hasn’t always been easy. We’ve had our setbacks, and at times, we’ve even disappointed our beloved coach, Mr. Matt Ratt. But we’ve grown, learned, and most importantly, fought as one. We hope we’ve made KYS proud by bringing back the pride and fire of Melaka rugby.

To our coaches and seniors, thank you. Your guidance, sacrifices, and belief in us have shaped who we are today. The impact you’ve made reaches far beyond the field.

And to the U17 Rammers, we hope our journey lights the path for yours. Keep pushing, keep believing.

As we close this chapter, we also say goodbye to a legend. Coach Matt Ratt, thank you for everything you’ve given to KYS Rugby. From your fiery speeches to your unwavering belief in each and every one of us, you’ve built more than just players—you’ve built a legacy.

Your dedication, discipline, and heart will live on in every tackle, every sprint, and every try we score in the future. You didn’t just coach us—you inspired us. We hope we’ve made you proud.

As Coach Matt always says:
 “If you’re scared to play, don’t play. If you want to play, prove it.”

We’ll carry your words, and your spirit with us, always.