USRC Tigers 34-5 Tai Po Dragons
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 16:30
Gai Wu Fawkes 15-17 Revolution SRC
@ KG V, Kick-off: 16:30
HKCC 5-31 HK Scottish Kukris
@ Aberdeen, Kick-off: 18:00
Gai Wu Hawks 29-31 Kowloon
@ KG V, Kick-off: 15:00
Tin Shui Wai 17-12 City Twinkles
@ Tin Shui Wai, Kick-off: 16:30
HKFC Fire 12-44 CWB Lammergeier
@ HK Football Club, Kick-off: 18:00
Police Sirens 103-0 University
@ Police Boundary Street, Kick-off: 18:00
Images: bc magazine,
In a final that enshrined all of the best aspects of what has been an incredible tournament Hung Hom Jaguars gained revenge for their group-stage loss to Galaxy Gladiators Lantau, with Hong Kong stars Nizakat Khan and Kinchit Shah playing crucial roles, and Khan being rewarded with the man of the match trophy.
These two teams put on 450 runs between them on Friday, but in the final a score of 200/7 proved enough for the Jaguars to defend, as the Gladiators fell 6 runs short, despite the incredible efforts of captain and player of the tournament Kumar Sangakkara (76 from 47).
As has been the case throughout the week the Jaguars, captained by Shah, were able to rely on all of their overseas stars to chip in with valuable contributions when it really mattered. Daren Sammy helped Shah to marshal his bowlers in the second half of the Gladiators chase, and it was Sammy himself who took responsibility for ensuring the Jaguars put on such an imposing total after Imran Arif had removed the well-set pair of Khan (93 from 52) and Johan Botha (36 from 22) with consecutive deliveries.
Khan had played impeccably at the top of the order and although Shah (9) and Riki Wessels (5) fell cheaply Sammy smashed a quick-fire 21 from 15 deliveries to set up the victory score, before falling late on to the bowling of Hong Kong youngster Arsham Mohammad. Sammy’s wicket was the 18-year-old’s 10th of the competition, as he finished as the leading wicket-taker.
For a long time it seemed as though the Gladiators were in control of the chase, and whilst tournament top-scorer and player of the tournament Sangakkara remained at the crease the Gladiators were favourites.
Sagakkara had survived an excellent early examination from another young Hong Kong paceman Kyle Christie, only playing in the tournament after answering a call for players via Facebook. However, by the end of the powerplay Sangakkara was well in to his stride and looked set to follow up his two previous innings of 92 and 94* by setting up victory in the final. Gladiators were certainly right up with the rate to the point of losing their second wicket, Cameron Delport falling for just 6, as they reached 120/2 at the end of the 12thover.
During the next two overs – Botha’s last and Sammy’s first – only 13 runs were scored. With the run-rate climbing rapidly the pressure on Sangakkara was mounting and off the fourth delivery of the 15th over he mis-cued a Shah delivery right down Sammy’s throat, as he aimed to smash the 8th maximum of his innings. With Sangakkara back in the sheds, it seemed for all the world that the contest was over, but the Kiwi pairing of Anton Devcich and James Franklin were not prepared to die wondering.
After Jade Dernbach fell to Sammy for just one, Devcich and Franklin went on the attack in the 18th over, smashing Christie for 21 and leaving Gladiators requiring only 31 from the final two overs.
Ordinarily, on a ground with relatively short boundaries, 31 might have seemed eminently achievable from 12 balls. However, those deliveries were due to be bowled by last week’s Big Bash League winner Ben Laughlin and the main man himself, Sammy.
Laughlin used all of his experience to restrict the Gladiators to just 9 off the 19th over, and after Sammy only conceded two singles from the first three deliveries of the final over, the game and the tournament was effectively done and dusted.
Before the match the Blitz Tournament Director Max Abbott had told me all he wanted was a close finish. Well, he certainly got his wish, as both teams put on the sort of spectacle that the tournament deserved, and it was fitting that the Jaguars team – so well balanced between global superstars and emerging Hong Kong-based starlets – emerged as champions.
Congratulations Jaguars! No doubt the party will be long and loud tonight!
Additional reporting and images: HK Cricket
On a wet and freezing Twickenham station platform, a young girl articulately explains to her dad the options for closing the gender pay gap in rugby. Outside the Stoop, more fans vividly re-enact their favourite moments from the game. One wonders if these moments, where their inspiration is so obvious, mean as much to the players as on field results, as the women’s game continues to grow. In this post-World Cup season, there is evidence of this growth, not least in attendance numbers. A record crowd of 4,023, including bc magazine’s Sarah Higgins filled Twickenham Stoop Stadium to watch England take on Wales in the Women’s Six Nations.
Both teams came into this game off opening weekend victories; England waking up in the second half against Italy and Wales inching an absorbing contest 18-17 against Scotland. Starting how they left off, England attacked with intent, a first foray over the line prevented by a try-saving tackle from Wales wing Jess Kavanagh-Williams before lock Poppy Cleall finished off a line out move in the right hand corner.
For Wales, existing injury woes worsened, Hannah Jones replacing outside centre Kerin Lake who came off clutching her elbow in only the third minute. And basic handling errors cost them, with more experienced members of the squad just as culpable as the fresher faces. By the 21st minute, England were three tries to the good, Abigail Dow and a sniping run from scrum half Leanne Riley adding to their tally. The bonus point was secured inside 30 minutes, through rising star Ellie Kildunne, though this time Katy Daley-McLean’s conversion attempt bounced off the left post and out.
Wales looked particularly vulnerable down the right, but they put up a spirited defence in the forwards, and competed well in the scrum. And it was all defence – Wales’ first meaningful foray into the England 22 didn’t happen until after the break.
As the weather worsened, Wales got a little brighter, with some expansive runs and their first real period of sustained possession. But an overthrown attacking line out from captain Carys Phillips, allowed England to then recover possession on the edge of their own 22, exemplifying their day. Fly half Robyn Williams was replaced after only 50 minutes by Llecu George, but it did little to stem the tide.
England’s pack was redoubtable if unflashy; flanker Marlie Packer (a typically forthright performance necessitating a fresh shirt for the second half) driving over in the 45th minute, then playing on in one shoe momentarily as Swing Low rang out around the stadium. The backs provided the fireworks – Daley-Mclean penetrating strong Wales defence with a neat grubber, Rachel Burford’s resulting try her last contribution to the game. And a brief pause for treatment for Kildunne clearly worked, as moments later a scintillating solo run from just inside the England half resulted in try number 7 and the best moment of the game.
Cleall rounded out the half century in the final minutes, earning Player of the Game to go with her two tries. Daley-McLean, influential throughout, converted and England marched on with a successive shut-out, 52-0. On this performance, it would be unwise to bet against consecutive Grand Slams. Wales next face Ireland, where they will be looking to cut out the errors and convert their forward power and resilience into points.
In the Men’s Game, England completed the sweep over Wales, a much tighter contest ending 12-6 thanks to two Jonny May tries and a game-saving tackle from Sam Underhill.
England: (backs) Waterman, D; Dow A; Kildunne, E; Burford, R; Pearce, C; Daley-McLean, Riley; (forwards) Clark, R; Cokayne, A; Bern,S; Scott, A; Taylor, T; Cleall, P; Packer, M; Hunter, S (Captain)
Replacements: Davis, L; Cornborough, V; Lucas, J; Burnfield, R; Noel-Smith, I; Mattinson, C; Cattell, L; Tuima, L
Wales: (backs) Snowsill, E; Bluck, H; Lake, K; De Filippo, R; Kavanagh-Williams, J; Wilkins, R; Parker, R; (forwards) Thomas, C; Phillips, C (Captain); Evans, A; Lillicrap, S; Clay, M; Butchers, A; Lewis, B; Harries, S (50th cap)
Replacements: Jones, K; Pyrs, G; Hale, C; John, N; Davies, N; Knight, J; George, L; Jones, H
Images: Courtesy of England rugby
Love is not a thing, it’s an experience. A shared experience!
The ongoing obsession with brand name things and the competitive who’s boyfriend or girlfriend buys them the most expensive flowers or gift is hardly romantic.
Ditch the pressure of the expensive restaurant, you can get the same meal or better far cheaper on a different day and do something that’ll create memories that’ll last longer than the taste of the $888 one mouthful dessert. Get out and have fun, create experiences and shared memories.
The Great European Carnival at Central Harbourfront offers the chance to share rides, enjoy the thrill and energy of the circus, play and win prizes for each other. The atmosphere of the carnival midway and the energy of all those around you having fun make it a great place to create memories.
Valentine’s Day package ($600) includes 2 Premium-seat tickets for the Great Circus of Europe, single entry to the AIA Great European Carnival on the same day and 20 e-tokens. The package is only available from 9-11 and 13-14 February 2018 at the door.
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Great-European-Carnival-Central-Harbourfront-21-December/i-QCCz6g4
Victoria Harbour, even today’s current shrunken version, is one of the most beautiful in the world. Something that we all enjoy looking at, yet beyond the Star Ferry very few people ever get to travel upon or use it.
There are increasing attempts and initiatives to make the harbour more available and user friendly among these is the concept of re-introducing ‘water taxis’.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), sponsored by Designing Hong Kong and the Harbour Business Forum is conducting a survey gauging the demand for a water taxi system for Victoria Harbour.
On-demand small boats, often known as walla-wallas or kaidos, offer rides in some of the typhoon shelters such Aberdeen and Shau Kei Wan and to-or-from destinations around Lantau and Sai Kung.
What are your views on a water-taxi service between destinations along Victoria Harbour? Take a few minutes to fill in this survey
Survey: https://goo.gl/hhW4g1
University 0-20 City Twinkles
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 16:30
Tin Shui Wai 0-7 Kowloon
@ Tin Shui Wai, Kick-off: 16:30
Police Sirens 29-0 Tin Shui Wai
@ Police Boundary Street, Kick-off: 19:30
Images: bc magazine, Phoebe Leung
Belgian Beerhouse Frites has a variety of promotions to warm the heart, stomach and wallet this chilly February: Wagyu Wednesday, Valentines Day and a discount at the refurbished Quarry Bay outlet.
Wagyu Wednesday, after 5pm all four Frites outlets will be serving a wagyu burger with hand cut frites and truffle mayo for $100. The burger features a tasty 100g Australian wagyu beef patty, cheese, bacon, fresh tomato and leafy greens on a soft bun.
February is the month of love, Frites has a three course dinner ($495/person) on Valentines Day which starts with a glass of prosecco. There’s a choice of two entrees: mussels in a rich marinara sauce or Vitello Tonnato, braised veal served with creamy tuna mayonnaise. For your main course choose between grilled red snapper served with prawn bisque risotto, confit tomatoes and seared scallops or bbq 1855 Black Angus rib eye steak with a side of oxtail macaroni cheese. Dessert is a seductive chocolate fondant.
Located at Taikoo Place the chains Quarry Bay outlet has reopened after a month long refurbishment and to thank it’s customers there’s a $50 discount available until the end of February. Simply mention promotion code “FRTIESQB” to get $50 off any bill over $150.
FRITES Central: 1/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central. Bookings: 2217 6671
FRITES Wanchai: Shop 6, 1/F Causeway Centre, 28 Harbor Road, Wanchai. Bookings: 2877 2422
FRITES Causeway Bay: Shop 1, G/F, Park Haven, 38 Haven Street, Causeway Bay. Bookings: 2142 5233
FRITES Quarry Bay: G/F, Oxford House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Island East. Bookings: 2250 5188
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 12pm – late
