As preparation for their debut in the XV’s league, a 16 strong HKCC Babes touring party including coaches Darren Cartlidge and Jeremy Nesbitt visited Singapore on Tour from 5-7 September, 2014. Here’s Joan Yip’s tour report:
The first HKCC Babes XVs tour was amazing for the team as we continue our preparations to debut in the XVs league this season. The “Babes” impressed both our coaches and opposition in a hard fought match that saw us go down narrowly 22 (4 tries) – 19 (3 tries) to the Singaporean side Bucks RFC – whose team was dotted with former internationals from New Zealand and present internationals from Singapore.
It was an excellent display of core skills, teamwork and sportsmanship as well as individual excellence with players developing from strength to strength. Throughout the game we defended effectively and the Bucks ladies had to work hard to earn their tries. When we had possession, we effectively gained yards and displayed some great ball retention and protection skills while working through phase after phase in the forwards.
A handful of players from two other local clubs, Blacks RFC and Bedok Kings RFC, assisted with making up numbers which saw a great exchange of technique and skills amongst the players playing alongside each other for the first time.
The HKCC Babes have once again proved we can lift our game to the next level as a XV-aside team through bonding on and off field throughout the tour. There is no doubt we will be ready to take on the existing XVs teams by storm in the domestic ladies league beginning this October.
A huge thank you to the Bucks RFC Ladies for graciously hosting us as well as to everyone who supported our preparations for the tour. HK-CC!”