Six into Four Doesn’t Fit…

The penultimate round of the first half of the Women’s Premiership sees six teams in contention for the top four and a place in the ‘reduced’ Premiership for the second half of the season.

The other four sides will be relegated to the Women’s Premiership Development league – the aim apparently is to drive competitive improvement across the whole league. But will a current or potential HK international player want to play in the ‘Development’ league? Hardly likely to improve their chances of being picked…

Sadly the chances are that the gap between the top four and the second four will get even wider as the top four improve and the better players in the development league are cherry picked by the top teams.

In this week’s games it’s third versus fifth as USRC Tigers – their tails up after a hard fought draw with Gai Wu Falcons last week – face off against CWB Phoenix (4pm, HK Education University). Gai Wu play Tai Po Dragons (KGV, 4:30m), fresh from a second win in this league. Kowloon pay a visit to table toppers Valley Black (14:30pm, Happy Valley) while HKFC Ice host City Sparkle at HK Football Club (6pm).

Tigers coach Fan Shun Kei, who knows the meaning of success as a player, including with the Hong Kong national sevens team, is full of confidence after last week’s draw.

“Our physicality and attacking were excellent. We need to keep up that physicality to cope with the last 20-25 minutes of a game, when tiredness comes in – especially later in the year, when we play against Valley or Gai Wu. In the last game, it was the opposite – we came back strongest in the final 10 minutes,” said Fan.

“The team understands that that outstanding performance sets the standard. Nothing will be much different this week in terms of our game plan. If we execute right and make the tackles, then this team can be dangerous in the league. It’s a real improvement on last year.”

The Tigers will be missing three key players this week: last game’s key performer Hebe Talas was concussed playing on Sunday and sits out for a week, while winger Bena Yu Bo Yan and inside centre Lo Wai Yan have commitments.

On the plus side, Natasha Olson-Thorne is back, which Fan says give the side more solidity. “We expect Causeway Bay to come at us. To be among the top four, they really need this game. The first half will be very exciting, as everyone is fresh. They will go hard and we expect to have to deal with their attack,” relishes Fan.

Causeway Bay come into the game off the back of losses to Gai Wu and Valley, and a surprising 10-7 reverse to Tai Po, missing the success they had at the start of the season.

Chris Lin is especially unhappy with last week’s result. “We were missing quite a few players, and several of our squad were just off playing in NL2 games,” he explained. “We made mistakes in defence that resulted in costly penalties, so that’s something we’ve been focusing on this week. If we can hold on to the ball and reduce handling mistakes to improve defensively, we have the backs and the pack to go forward and score.”

“Tigers have strong ball carriers, so we aim to keep the defence error-free and then try to attack the wide lines,” added Lin who focused on what his side should be aiming for in this game, to capture a spot in the Premiership second half.

“We aim to beat Tigers, but to feel confident of playing in the top half after the break, we need to at least pick up two bonus points [for four tries scored, and a loss by seven points or fewer]. I’m positive about our prospects of playing in the top four,” said Lin.

His side sees the return of two key players who missed the previous game: Martini IP Ka Ling, at inside centre, and Ng Wing Yee, who has recovered from her spine problem. Lin says that both are greatly respected by the rest of the team and will inspire confidence through their example as well as their ball-carrying.

Additional reporting/images: HKRU

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 4 November, 2017

Women’s Rugby Results – 28 October, 2017

Premiership

Kowloon 34-12 City Sparkle
@ Tai Hang Tung, Kick-off: 16:30
Kowloon
Yip Cho Kwan, Yuk Wun Yip, Hiu Tung Chan, Tsang Yan, Maggie Au Yeung, Winnie Cheung, Yee To Cheng, Jackie Leung, Ho Yee Chloe Mak, Ching Hei Victoria Wong, Tsz Ki Chiu, Chun Yan Ho, Wing Chi Amber Tsang, Chu Wing Yee, Wai Man Fung
Reserve: Lok Yee Cham, Sin Ying Chan, For Wing Florence Lee, Lok Sze Leung, Wai Ling Chan
Tries: Yip Cho Kwan (2), Ho Yee Chloe Mak (2), Yee To Cheng, Tsang Yan
Conversions: Wing Chi Amber Tsang (2)
City Sparkle
符詩宇 Fu Sze Yu, 張天兒 Cheung Tin Yee, 林珮恩 Lam Pui Yan, 林秀茵 Lam Sau Yan, 吳筱菁 Wu Hsiao Ching, 謝嘉汶 Tse Kar Man Hilary, 丘佩燕 Yau Pui Yin, 吳雋怡 Ng Chun Yi Annie, 馮子穎 Fung Tsz Wing, 劉芷瑩 LAU Tsz Ying, 黃嘉程 Wong Ka Ching, 吳育欣 Ng Yuk Yan, 吳汝夢 Wu Rumeng, 張凱瑩 Cheung Hoi Ying, 謝詠翹 Tse Wing Kiu, 徐樂怡 Tsui Lok Yi,
Reserve: 王麗麗 Wong Lai Lai, 王莉華 Wong Lee Wa, 黃愉廷 Wong Yu Ting, 李綺芯 Lee Yee Sum, 鄭文琼 Cheng Man King, 彭曉藍 Pang Hiu Lam Mila
Tries: Agnes Tse Wing Kin (2)
Conversions: Agnes Tse Wing Kin

HKFC Ice 0-71 Valley Black
@ HK Football Club, Kick-off: 18:00

Tai Po Dragons 10-7 CWB Phoenix 
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 19:30

Gai Wu Falcons 17-17 USRC Tigers
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 19:30
Gai Wu
Lee Ka Shun 李嘉萱, Ku Hoi Ying 古凱盈, Lau Nga Wun 劉雅媛, Wong Ka Yin 黃家妍, Chow Mei Nam 鄒美楠, Ching Tze Yung 程子容, Yip Hiu Ki 葉曉琪, Chan Ka Yan 陳嘉欣, Shum Wai Sum 岑惠心, Lee Tze Ting 李紫婷, Chong Ka Yan 莊嘉欣, Ho Hoi Lam 何凱琳, Chiu Wing See 趙穎思, Poon Pak Yan 潘柏茵, Abigail Chan 陳柏鈴
Reserve: Lee Wing Yan 李穎欣,  Li Tsz Tung Vicky 李芷彤, Man Yuen Yan 文琬茵, Wong Suet Ying 王雪盈, Fung Hoi Ching 馮凱晴, Lum Ka Ching 藍嘉晴

National League 1

Gai Wu Fawkes 22-10 USRC
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00

HKCC v Valley Red
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 18:00

Revolution SRC 61-0 Tai Po Dragons
@ Tin Shui Wai, Kick-off: 19:30

National League 2

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-Ltg6zgZ

Gai Wu Hawks 17-5 Tin Shui Wai
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 13:00

Kowloon 31-5 City 
@ Tai Hang Tung, Kick-off: 15:00

HKFC Fire 86-5 University
@ Sandy Bay, Kick-off: 16:30

Police Sirens 12-12 CWB Lammergeier
@ Police Boundary Street, Kick-off: 18:00 

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-StRM2n2

Images: bc magazine

Kowloon Win First Game, 34-12 Against City Sparkle

Kowloon beat City Sparkle 34-12 to earn their first win of the season as Chloe Mak pulled the strings behind a strong Kowloon scrum to eclipse a fine individual performance and stunning try from City’s fullback Agnes Tse Wing Kin.

The first quarter saw the match ebb and flow as first City and then Kowloon had chances with the ball, but neither side was able to string together a sustained period of pressure with errors and penalties harming both sides play.

Kowloon are working hard and moving the ball towards the City 22 when center Wing Chi Amber Tsang knowing it’s Halloween does her best impression of the Hulk and smashes through the City forwards to set up an easy try for Chloe Ho Yee Mak who converts her own score, 7-0 to Kowloon after 15 minutes.

City look to respond and threaten the Kowloon line only for another dropped pass to stall their attack. Kowloon back on the attack inside the Sparkle 22, blow a massive 6 on 1 overlap, the ball is recycled and prop Yip Cho Wan makes no mistake scoring under the posts to make the conversion easy for Mak, 14-0 after 22 minutes.

Amazing what a couple of tries can do, Kowloon are playing with more confidence, their passes have more zip and the runs more purpose. Mak snuffs out a City attack and surges strongly from her own 22 out to the halfway line where a fine tackle from Rumeng Aislin Wu brings her down. City were guilty of a lot arm tackles throughout the match which failed to stop Kowloon, but they also executed some fine try saving tackles including one by Yuk Yan Ng which stifled another Kowloon scoring play.

Kowloon look to have ended the latest attack with a long clearing kick deep into the City 22, where Tse catches it cleanly and sets off on a mazy run, breaks a couple of tackles puts in a lovely step to clear the last remaining forward and sprints 8om through the despairing arms of several Kowloon backs to score a quite sparkling try under the posts. Only 14-5 as somehow from infront of the post City put the conversion under the the crossbar instead of over as Tse sucks in great lungfuls of fragrant Autumn air.

The Sparkle are visibly lifted by Tse’s score, but Kowloon’s scrum is working well and giving them a solid platform to attack from as Mak orchestrates their attack. As the half draws to a close Kowloon are penalised again and City look to take advantage, but can’t and the half ends with score 14-5 to Kowloon.

Early in the second half the Kowloon back line pick up a deep clearing kick and return the ball quickly only for Tse to make the first of several try saving tackles. The ball though is recycled well and loosehead Yip Cho Kwan powers over for her second try, 19-5.

Looking to be more direct in their running Kowloon are pushing City back and making small runs close to the breakdown. An overthrown Kowloon lineout gives City a good attacking chance and the backs work the ball wide only to drop the final pass with the try line beckoning.

With it’s scrum strong and City struggling for clean ball a lot the third quarter is played in City’s 22, with Kowloon have numerous chances and City’s defending getting more ragged. Infront of her posts City’s Cheung Tin Yee goes for ambitious intercept only to knock the ball forward and receive a yellow card.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-j3ZqtGQ

Mak looks to take quick advantage and shifts the ball wide to Tsang who powers over the line dragging two City defenders with her, who manage to keep her from grounding the ball for a try. From the resulting 5m scrum Mak is alert to the extra space from the woman advantage and scores her second try of the game 24-5.

Another last ditch try saving tackle from Tse, after a strong run from Tsang sets up a City counter as the Sparkle spend sometime in the Kowloon 22 before losing the ball in a tackle. Kowloon surge forward the backs creating a good overlap, but with clear space infront of her and a try beckoning Wynne takes her eye off the ball… and drops it. The screams of frustration from the watching Kowloon sideline were louder than the most passionate of Big Bang fans.

City look to break back but Yee To Cheng intercepts and the flanker runs 40m to score a simple but energy sapping try, 29-5 after 68 minutes.

A Kowloon attack peters out as a pass goes astray, Tse though sees the gap and gleeful scoops up the ball 40m out to score untouched under the posts. She converts her own try 29-12.

The final minutes are played in almost pitch dark as the HKRU hadn’t asked for the lights to be turned on, City look to add another score in a game where they had chances but didn’t protect the ball well. But it’s Kowloon who rightly have the final word as lock Tsang Yan scores with two minutes remaining to cap off their first win of the season with a flourish – final score 34-5.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-NV97gBc

Kowloon
Yip Cho Kwan, Yuk Wun Yip, Hiu Tung Chan, Tsang Yan, Maggie Au Yeung, Winnie Cheung, Yee To Cheng, Jackie Leung, Ho Yee Chloe Mak, Ching Hei Victoria Wong, Tsz Ki Chiu, Chun
Yan Ho, Wing Chi Amber Tsang, Chu Wing Yee, Wai Man Fung
Reserve: Lok Yee Cham, Sin Ying Chan, For Wing Florence Lee, Lok Sze Leung, Wai Ling Chan
Tries: Yip Cho Kwan (2), Ho Yee Chloe Mak (2), Yee To Cheng, Tsang Yan
Conversions: Wing Chi Amber Tsang (2)

City Sparkle
符詩宇 Fu Sze Yu, 張天兒 Cheung Tin Yee, 林珮恩 Lam Pui Yan, 林秀茵 Lam Sau Yan, 吳筱菁 Wu Hsiao Ching, 謝嘉汶 Tse Kar Man Hilary, 丘佩燕 Yau Pui Yin, 吳雋怡 Ng Chun Yi Annie, 馮子穎 Fung Tsz Wing, 劉芷瑩 LAU Tsz Ying, 黃嘉程 Wong Ka Ching, 吳育欣 Ng Yuk Yan, 吳汝夢 Wu Rumeng, 張凱瑩 Cheung Hoi Ying, 謝詠翹 Tse Wing Kiu, 徐樂怡 Tsui Lok Yi,
Reserve: 王麗麗 Wong Lai Lai, 王莉華 Wong Lee Wa, 黃愉廷 Wong Yu Ting, 李綺芯 Lee Yee Sum, 鄭文琼 Cheng Man King, 彭曉藍 Pang Hiu Lam Mila
Tries: Agnes Tse Wing Kin (2)
Conversions: Agnes Tse Wing Kin

九龍欖球會(九龍)在星期六打敗了康維他城市星光隊(城市欖球會),成為今季第一場勝戰。Chole Mak對此出力不少。

在第一節中,九龍和城市欖球隊旗鼓相當,彼此拉鋸。後來中場Wing Chi Amber Tsang加強 壓力,衝破了城市欖球隊陣形,令Chloe Ho Yee Mak輕易的為九龍得了第一個入球,7比0。

比賽22分鐘,城市欖球隊努力反攻,可惜持球不穩,令九龍有機可乘,產生了一個六對一的場面。由前鋒Yip Cho Wan達陣,14比0。

入了兩球波,九龍的信心大增,戰術也顯而易見。雖然城市欖球隊在球賽中多用手臂攔截,導致 犯規。但也有很多成功和漂亮的攔截,例如Mak帶球從22米底線跑至中場,被Rumeng Aislin漂亮的攔截到和Yuk Yan Ng防止入球的攔截。

城市欖球隊努力反攻,Tse把九龍的長距離踢球穩穩地接到,衝過多個防守,直奔八十米,做出一個漂亮的達陣,成為城市欖球隊的第一個入球,14比5。

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-ZHtwmcS

Tse堅守防線,有多個漂亮的攔截。可惜勇猛的九龍前鋒Yip Cho Kwan做了一個力量性的達陣,19比5。

城市欖球隊本有一個很好的入球機會,可惜在最後一個傳球失誤,球跌在地上,達陣機會也隨之消失。

在球賽的第三節,對陣多於城市欖球隊的22米線內。加上城市欖球隊的多個持球和傳球錯誤, 陣腳大亂。Cheung Tin Yee救球心切,又再犯規,結果得到今場的第一個黃牌,出場十分鐘。

九龍繼續進攻,打快戰。Mak一個遠傳球給Tsang, 再由Tsang沖過兩個防守球員,可惜給攔截到。但在五米爭球區,Mak看準機會,帶波達陣,成為她今場的第二個入球,24比5。

城市欖球隊努力還擊,在九龍半場內爭持。最後由Yee To Cheng成功偷球,帶球直跑40米達陣,29比5。

終於九龍傳球失誤,Tse看見進攻的好機會,提波直奔40米達陣,簡單俐落, 29比12。

最後的數分鐘,球賽進行與漆黑中。城市欖球隊本再有入球機會,可惜不斷持球錯誤。相反九龍依然積極,Tsang Yan 在最後兩分鐘再入一球,總成績34比5。

Kowloon v City Sparkle @ Tai Hang Tung – 28 October, 2017

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-24S6KsW

Kowloon took on City Sparkle at Tai Hang Tung as both teams looked for their first win of the season. Chic new lineswomen fashion and Kowloon’s new motivation technique were mere sideshows to the main event.
Click in any photo to see the full gallery of images

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-ThcHrQJ

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-qjKqZTT

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-W8r4Jjg

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-3nm7bFj

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-zZVbtnh

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Kowloon-v-City-Sparkle-Tai-Hang-Tung-28-October-2017/i-Pq26jHR

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 28 October, 2017

Women’s Rugby Results – 21 October, 2017

Premiership

Kowloon 31-38 HKFC Ice
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 13:30

Tai Po Dragons 0-56 USRC Tigers
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 15:00

CWB Phoenix 5-44 Gai Wu Falcons
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 16:30

City Sparkle 0-92 Valley Black
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 18:00

​National League 1

HK Scottish Kukris 25-15 Gai Wu Fawkes
@ Tai Hung Tang, Kick-off: 16:30

Tai Po Dragons 0-17 Valley Red
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 18:00

Revolution SRC v HKCC
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Womens-Rugby-Super-Saturday-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-n6JZzqT

​National League 2

Kowloon v HKFC Fire
@ KG V, Kick-off: 16:30

City 10-5 University
@ Sandy Bay, Kick-off: 16:30

Police Sirens v Tin Shui Wai
@ Police Boundary Street, Kick-off: 18:00

CWB Lammergeier 32-0 Gai Wu Hawks
@ KG V, Kick-off: 18:00

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Womens-Rugby-Super-Saturday-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-MS6T8vL

Images: Jenny Yung, bc magazine

Women’s Premiership Super Saturday @ Shek Kip Mei – 21 October, 2017

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Valley-Black-v-City-Sparkle-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-VBGrV4d

The Women’s Premiership hosted it’s first Super Saturday of the season as all eight teams played at Shek Kip Mei on what turned out to be a glorious day of rugby.
Click in any photo to see the full gallery of images

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/HKFC-Ice-v-Kowloon-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-vD625HQ

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Valley-Black-v-City-Sparkle-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-QmqWBCQ

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Valley-Black-v-City-Sparkle-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-VZNmGL2

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Valley-Black-v-City-Sparkle-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-7VJb3N8

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Womens-Rugby-Super-Saturday-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-ZB4KjFG