KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya affirmed their credentials as one of the title contenders in the Agong's Cup rugby competition this year after handing Selangor a 77-3 drubbing in their opening Pool C match today.
Putrajaya took less than two minutes to score their first try at the Universiti Putra Malaysia field in Serdang through Jeri Kavekai, and did not let up for the rest of the match.
The rest of their tries were scored by Zharif Affandi Zahib (two), Simione Tuivanuavou (three), Syarif Nurhidayat Muhzhaimey, K. Dinesvaran, Fairuz Ab Rahman and Amirul Mukminin Amizan with Fairuz converting most of their efforts.
Selangor got on the scoresheet through a solitary penalty from Douglas Lawrence.
Putrajaya coach Brad Mika was pleased with the result.
"I thought the boys played well," said Mika.
"We were not focused on the result or the score but were looking at the process.
"I am pleased, considering that some of the boys arrived only yesterday. We were looking to learn real quick.
"The boys played well in patches. We lost our consistency towards the end of the match. We will look to improve on that game by game."
Putrajaya, who are in Pool C, will play Sarawak at the same venue on Wednesday.
In other matches, Penang downed Sarawak 25-21 in Kuching, while in Pool B, Pahang defeated Negri Sembilan 39-18 in Seremban.
In Pool A, defending champions Terengganu overcame Johor 30-17 in Kuala Terengganu.
Police, who are also among the contenders this year, will open their campaign against Kelantan in Semenyih tomorrow.