Tai Po Dragons will look to clinch the insultingly named ‘Premiership Development League’ when they take on Causeway Bay Phoenix at HKIED (17.30). Kowloon will play City Sparkle in the other bracket of the four-team mini-league, at So Kon Po at 18.00.
Gai Wu Falcons, fresh from their defeat of Valley Black last weekend, take on USRC Tigers at 16.30 at Aberdeen – which is preceded by the Valley Black versus HKFC Ice game at 15.00.
Tai Po has played some fine rugby since the eight-team Women’s Premiership split into two competitions last November, turning in four straight wins to top the table ahead of Kowloon. All eight Women’s Premiership sides will regroup for the Grand Championship play-offs after the league season concludes next weekend.
Tai Po, who returned to Premiership competition this season after a year in the lower leagues, are the only undefeated side in either premiership competition heading into the penultimate match of the season. Coach Tsang Hing-hung believes that the fruits of that tough decision to take a year off to regroup are being seen now.
“The last two years were a planned development phase for the club. Many of the girls were young and a bit green. We needed time to develop them further, and that year in National League 1, which is still a very high standard, was important for us.”
“The results so far showed that our team has re-built as I had hoped, and were ready to return to the Premiership. Our performances are showing the work that has been put in by the club and the players,” said Tsang. “I’m excited; I think they’re not reaching their target yet, and can go a lot further. If we can strengthen our defence, then I think we can consistently chase the top four teams.”
But up first this weekend is Causeway Bay and Tsang is concerned about whether his team can maintain their momentum. “I am a bit worried about this game. If we lose, we have to face Kowloon, and we might not finish at the top of our Premiership division, which is something that we really want to achieve for a better placing in the grand championship play-off.”
“We are going to have to focus heavily on our defence. They have some strong ball carriers and are also strong in the ruck, so our defence is key. On attack, we are confident in our patterns and will make what we can of situations that come along, but everything has to build from a good defence and that is what we have focused on in training,” continued Tsang.
The Dragons’ will be missing three players who are away on national sevens duty in Fiji with Ivy Kwong Sau-yan, Agnes Chan Tsz-ching and Vivian Poon Hoi-yan, who is making her senior international debut, all unavailable.
Causeway Bay lost their earlier meeting with Tai Po in the development grade 22-5 in early December but played well in beating Kowloon 24-10 last weekend. Coach Chris Lin was pleased to see some confidence returning in his team’s performance.
“In the last game against Kowloon, we were much improved and much more confident. Our patterns are more aligned with our player’s capabilities, and the players know their positions now, so we got the win. Tsang Siu-ching played particularly well in that game and lifted our team to another level, but unfortunately she will miss this week’s game,” said Lin.
“Tai Po will be tough, but we are also improving, so it should be a good game. They are missing their international sevens players while we don’t have that issue. I expect their backs will play a leading role in the game, with a lot of kicking for possession. They have some good kickers, which we lack, and they are aggressive on defence,” continued Lin. “Our aim is to finish second, so a point from this game is important. We are going to be looking for four tries. After the Kowloon game, the team feels more comfortable now and feel they are back on track.”
Additional reporting and image: hkru