KUALA LUMPUR: What a game. What a result.

Malaysia created history by mauling Singapore 40-20 in the last round-robin match to lift the Division One title of the Asian Rugby Championship for the first time ever.

Malaysia went into the match knowing that a win was all they needed to clinch the title after watching Sri Lanka beat the Philippines 25-21 in an earlier match at the Royal Selangor Club (RSC) at Bukit Kiara on Saturday.

Malaysia and the Philippines started Saturday’s matches tied on six points, with the hosts leading the four-team standings on better score difference.

Malaysia completed the three-match fixtures with 11 points while world No. 38 Sri Lanka finished second with eight points. The Philippines, who beat Malaysia 15-10 in the opening match, finished third with seven points while Singapore, who ended with just four points, will be relegated to Division Two next season.

Malaysia, cheered on by 3,000 fans, put on up a superb display against Singapore – scoring five tries, three conversions and three penalties against the Lions’ two tries, two conversions and two penalties.

Mohd Azmir Zanul Abidin was the toast for Malaysia with two tries, while Fijians Etonia Vaqa Saukuru, Jone Mawara Nasalo and Atunasia Lacadamu Takubu chipped in with one try each.

Mohd Syarif Saiful Aazwan Sudin converted all the penalties and tries for Malaysia.

Mike Patterson made it a one-man show for Singapore by scoring both the tries, the conversions and penalties.

Malaysia had a disastrous start, with Singapore leading 6-0 from two penalties, but coach Lee Nyuk Fah’s men slowly but surely turned on the heat to take control of the match.

Nyuk Fah was full of praise for his men, who finished last in Seoul in 2011 and lost to Singapore in the Division Two final in 2013.

“I knew we could beat Singapore, but I never expected such a mauling,” said Nyuk Fah, who added that he would request the Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU) to let the national team to play in the playoff for a place in the Premier Division.

The Division One champions will usually be involved a playoff with the team who finish third in Premier Division for a chance to compete in the top flight.

Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea are competing in Premier Division.

Malaysian skipper Mohd Syahir Asraf Rosli was delighted to lift the Cup.

“It’s great achievement for Malaysian rugby ... it augurs well for the development of the sport here,” he said.