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Hong Kong Aim to be Crowned Asia Rugby Sevens Champions

Looking to complete a wire-to-wire finish after sweeping the first two legs – beating Sri Lanka in both finals. Hong Kong men’s teams head to Colombo for this weekend’s Sri Lanka Sevens, the final tournament of the 2016 Asia Rugby Sevens Series.

Coach Gareth Baber’s men’s team will clinch first place for the third time in the last five seasons with a top three finish this weekend having comfortably won every cup final this season aided by their main rivals Japan sending untested teams to the previous two legs. In the absence of Japan, Sri Lanka has loomed as the largest threat to Hong Kong’s dominance, a threat that will be even more ominous this weekend when the Lankans play in front of their fervent home supporters in Colombo.

With Mark Wright and the McQueen brothers out of action, Baber has made three changes. Forward Jack Capon comes into the team alongside Tomasi Lawa who is returning from a lengthy injury lay-off. Former U20s sevens player Jason Jeyam has also been handed his senior sevens debut.

“It is good to have Tomasi back,” said Baber. “He picked up a nasty ankle injury before the series last year that kept him out for a lengthy period. He has worked hard on his recovery and it is great to see a player come back and return to play at the same level as before their injury.Tomasi is a great asset in a squad of 12 with his versatility. He can play in either the backs or forwards, is a good ball carrier and strong in the offload. He can also help us win ball in the air with his size.”

Jeyam is set to make his senior debut after returning from university in the United Kingdom. “Jason has been training with the squad since June. He kept in good communication with us while he was away, updating us on his rugby, and he has impressed us since coming back. He has those attributes that you look for in sevens: pace, good spatial awareness and a very good individual skillset.

“He has played a lot at U20s level and was a key member of the successful U20s 7s sides of recent years. It is exciting to see another young player coming through,” Baber added.

Hong Kong’s pool sees South Korea, Malaysia and Japan rounding out the day one opposition. Hong Kong’s first match will be against a weakened Japan team that has fallen to its lowest spot on the series table in recent memory.

“We never underestimate any team and will be treating this Japan side as if it were the same as the one that played in the Olympics. We have our own objectives from the series and want to work on ourselves this weekend. Our focus is on getting the players to recognize what tournaments like this present for them and us, the opportunity to maintain a consistent approach.”

Barring a shock collapse in form, Hong Kong’s previous efforts should see them claim the Asian title. “There is still a chance that we finish outside of number one. Effectively we need to reach the last three. If Sri Lanka were to win the final and we fell to fourth or fifth there is a mathematical chance that they could win the Series,” said Baber, who knows the hosts will be up for the challenge.

“Sri Lanka at home with a sniff of first place will prove a tough environment – the toughest so far on the Series. But this is the type of environment we want to play in. We want to test ourselves and to be put under pressure, to challenge the players to put out their best performance no matter the conditions.”

Knowing the atmosphere that awaits Hong Kong Baber is even more pleased to be handing debuts to Lawa (2016 Series) and Jeyam (senior debut). “It’s one of the pluses of giving those opportunities to Tomasi and Jason. It will present a bit of a new look to the field and gives us the opportunity to develop our guys while posing slightly different questions to what we have done so far.”

The tournament is being live streamed on Asiarugby.com

Hong Kong: Max Woodward (Captain), Jack Capon, Michael Coverdale, Christopher Maize, Lee Jones, Cado Lee Ka-To, Ben Rimene, Tomasi Lawa, Jason Jeyam, Rowan Varty, Ryan Meacheam, Salom Yiu Kam-Shing.

Additional reporting and image: HKRU

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers Match Report: Hong Kong v Nepal – 13 October, 2016

Poor batting and game management by Hong Kong, especially their senior players, saw Nepal survive a nail-biting finish to beat the hosts by 6 runs and draw level in second-placed in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup -Asia Qualifiers on four points.

Batting first, Nepal’s innings was salvaged by number eight batter and eventual Player of the Match Karuna Bhandari. Her 19 not out, off 27 balls in the last six overs of the innings proved to be the difference. Indu Barma’s 15 in the first half of the innings was also crucial to Nepal’s 75 runs in total.

Hong Kong’s spinner Ka-Man Chan picked up where she left off before the rest day, taking for 3/11. Keenu Gill was also a consistent performer with 2/9.

Hong Kong’s response started off well with opener Ka-Ying Chan’s 18 off 21 and Keenu Gill’s 10 off 19. Captain Mariko Hill scored 13 off 16 from number 5. But Hong Kong collapsed going from 33/1 to 58/9. After an elaborate celebration of Mariko Hill’s wicket – who was out looking to smash the ball around, when with Hong Kong’s required run-rate at less than three an over all that was needed was for her to milk the singles, rotate the strike and stay there till the end – Nepal’s bowlers calmed themselves and finally picked up the last wicket with two overs and two balls left.

Karuna Bhandari was the top wicket taker with 3/17, capping an all-round performance.

“It was disappointing today. I thought we bowled and fielded really well. We just panicked on the bat. It was uncharacteristic of the girls today,” said Hong Kong Women’s Coach Charlie Burke.

“Credit to Nepal, they kept fighting and fought really well. It shows how close this competition is. These are four sides which competed very well over the last six years. We are going to play China (tomorrow) who are very confident after their win today. Last game against Thailand, so it will be interesting to see the Thailand versus Nepal game tomorrow. We can only control what we can do and see what happens,” added Burke.

Both matches tomorrow will be played at Hong Kong Cricket Club, with Thailand vs Nepal at 9:30 am and China vs Hong Kong at 2:00 pm. Entry is free.

Match Summary
Nepal 75/8 (20 overs)
Hong Kong 69 all out (17.4 overs)
Nepal Women won by 6 runs
Scorecard: www.espncricinfo.com/hkg/content/team/19.html

Additioanl reporting and image: HK Cricket Association

Match Report: Uni-Pirates 15-68 Gai Wu @ Happy Valley – 8 October, 2016

The Uni-Pirates continued their magical voyage with their second National League 2 game against Gai Wu Hawks in Happy Valley. The team suffered a blow before kick-off with winger Pricila Wang fracturing her finger in the warm-up. Gai Wu requested to have uncontested scrums during the match as they didn’t have enough scrum trained forwards – a frustrating situation for the Uni-Pirates who had a clear advantage in forward pack weight, but safety first.

Gai Wu took advantage of an uncontested scrum in the Uni-Pirates twenty-two to create their first try, scored by their fly half. A second quickly followed as the Hawks scored from a quickly taken penalty close to the Uni-Pirates try line. The Uni-Pirates played their way into the game using their forward strength and a ten-minute period of possession deep in the Hawks’s half finally paid off with a penalty five metres from the Gai Wu line. The Uni-Pirates forwards worked hard and drove hooker Kon Chan over the try-line for their first try of the season. Gai Wu used a long restart kick to pin the Uni-Pirates deep in their own half. Unable to clear the danger, Gai Wu scored a third try and then a fourth just before the half time. Half-time 30-5.

Gai Wu’s backs were pushing the Uni-Pirates defence hard and scored another try early in the second-half. Down, but not out the Uni-Pirates responded with some powerful forward play which was almost rewarded when Estelle touched the ball down, only to have the referee disallow the try for a knock-on. The uncontested scrums really favoured Gai Wu whose backs scored another long distance try. With fatigue setting-in for the Uni-Pirates, Debby was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Gai Wu took full advantage of the extra woman scoring three tries.

An exchange of tries then followed as the Uni-Pirates strong forwards put together over 10 phases of play which finally released full-back Gloria Law who scored with a nimble pick-up before darting over the line. The Hawks responded, taking advantage of a line-out fumble to score another converted try. Back though came the Uni-Pirates as scrum-half Estelle Barbaroux continued her scoring streak taking a quick penalty near midfield and breaking through seven defenders to score close to posts. Looking for bonus point the Uni-Pirates pushed hard in the final minutes in an attempt to score a fourth try. Another line-out fumble though saw Gai Wu steal the ball and score another try in the games closing minutes. Final score 68-15.

Although the score looks lop-sided the young and in-experienced Uni-Pirates – a combination team of the University Unicorns and the DB Pirates – learnt a lot of lessons and scored some confidence boosting tries to show that there’s more to come as season progresses.

Uni-Pirates:
Forwards: Debby Cheung, Monica Aoko Ariwi, Florence Li, Imogen Dean, Joyce Leung, Kon Chan, Amoy Hugh-Pennie, Lai Ka Yan, Meg McGrath, Renee McCreadie, Julie Buddle
Backs: Sombo Sisay, Estelle Barbaroux (Captain), Cheng Hiu Yi, Bonbon Jan, Gloria Law, Sienna Stubbs, Celine Malunes, Keren Shahar Gafni, Liza Avelino
Tries: Kon Chan, Gloria Law, Estelle Barbaroux

Bowie/Collector

Many people know of David Bowie through his music and films and his influence transcended music to shape the wider culture of our time. As well as being a talented artist, Bowie loved art and in a way that isn’t possible today, courtesy of social media and camera phones, took an active role in the art world both buying art at auction, meeting artists and sitting on the editorial board of renowned art magazine Modern Painters.

“Art was, seriously, the only thing I’d ever wanted to own. It has always been for me a stable nourishment. I use it. It can change the way I feel in the mornings. The same work can change me in different ways, depending on what I’m going through.” David Bowie – NYTimes 1998

The breadth and scope of Bowie’s personal art collection was revealed with the release of Sotheby’s online auction catalogue earlier this month. It features over 400 pieces including a ‘spin’ painting that Bowie created in collaboration with Damien Hirst, an altarpiece by Renaissance master Tintoretto, as well as works by 20th Century British Masters such as David Bomberg, Stanley Spencer, Frank Auerbach and Leon Kossoff.

A selection of Bowie’s collected artworks are on display in Hong Kong ahead of next months Sotherby’s auction. For further information: www.sothebys.com/BowieCollector

Bowie/Collector – Hong Kong Preview
Date: 10am-6pm, 12-15 October, 2016
Venue: Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery, 5/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty
Tickets: Free

Match Report: HKFC Ice 39-17 City Sparkles @ HK Football Club – 8 October, 2016

On a beautiful evening at the HK Football Club, HKFC Ice’s first match of the 2016-17 season was against City Sparkles newly promoted from National League One and looking to prove themselves in the Premiership.

The game kicked off and Ice dominated the early possession, camped constantly in City’s half HKFC created several try scoring opportunities in the first ten minutes but couldn’t cross the line to register the game’s first score. City looked threatening at times with their kicking skills and solid teamwork and certainly showed they are worthy Premiership opponents, their defence and tenacity particularly impressive. In attack the Sparkles put together some solid passages of play and Ice had to defend well to keep them from scoring.

The first 20 minutes saw some impressive tackles and line breaks from the Ice forwards, with Megan Richardson and Bobby Wilson driving the team forward to secure HKFC’s opening try in the 22nd minute. Rosie Hopewell-Fong’s conversion deflecting off the post prevented Ice from adding the extra two.

Backed by the cheering home crowd, Ice looked dangerous in attack and a great piece of skill from Jane Cheung saw her make a clean break to rampage deep into the opposition’s 22.

City’s sparkling attack broke through Ice’s defence in the 33rd minute to record their first Premiership try, secured with a conversion. Sparked into life Ice retaliated with an amazing break from by Rosie Hopewell-Fong, who sprinted 50m after a beautiful chip only to be fouled just short of the try line in the 40th minute. The resultant yellow card for City’s number 3 saw her spend 10 minutes in the bin and Ice’s Iris Chan took full advantage scoring in the corner with a successful conversion from Rosie Hopewell-Fong. Half-time 12-7.

After the break, HKFC set out to take control of the game and Jamie Bourk quickly scored a try, successfully converted by Rosie Hopewell-Fong.

Cheryl Gourley and Zuzanna Osinska came on in the forward line for HKFC and their impact was felt immediately with another try to Ice’s Angelina Cheung which was quickly followed by a second for the enthusiastic Jamie Bourk who controlled the ball with ease to own yet another try.

Further substitutions for HKFC saw Hei Hei Wong on for Crystal Wray on the wing, with Denise Chan, Shonagh Ryan and Stephanie Siu replaced by Royce Chan, Doris Chen and Rabbit Leung. City scored a simple try to going into the last 20 minutes to give them hope of a come-back. Rosie Hopewell-Fong quickly doused that flicker with her first try of the game after some fine individual skill.

Ice’s Megan Richardson was yellow carded in the 67th minute for a high tackle and City took advantage to score their third try with ten minutes to go and close the gap on the scoreboard.

Claire Hunter came off for Cynthia Luk at flanker and Jane Cheung added the icing to a fine display with Ice’s seventh try two minutes from the end.

HKFC controlled much of a game which saw some exciting play from both teams. City competed well in their first game in the top tier and can take many positives from the game. Final score 39-17.

HKFC Ice:
Denise Chan, Shonagh Ryan, Megan Richardson, Angelina Cheung, Iris Chan, Claire Hunter, Nina Pirie, Bobby Wilson, (Captain), Sophie Short, Rose Hopewell-Fong, Jane Cheung, Stephanie Siu, Jamie Bourk, Crystal Wray, Helen Lee.
Substitutes: Doris Chen, Cheryl Gourley, Zuzanna Osinska, Royce Chan, Cynthia Luk, Henrietta Wong, Hei Hei Wong and Rabbit Leung.

Tries: Angelina Cheung, Iris Chan, Jamie Bourk (2), Jane Cheung, Bobby Wilson, Rosie Hopewell-Fong.
Conversions: Rosie Hopewell-Fong (2)

City Sparkles:
Pui Yan Lam, Suen Yan Tiffany Leung, Ka Yan Fung, Lee Wa Wong, Chun Yi Annie Ng (Vice Captain), Pui Yin Yau (Captain), Kar Man Hilary Tse, Lok Lam Joanna Hung, Tsz Wing Donis Fung, Sau Yu Lam, Man King Cheng, Yuk Yan Ng, Oi Ying Stephanie Tang, Hoi Ying Cheung, Agnes Tse
Substitutes: Lai Lai Wong, Tin Yee Cheung, Cheng Wai Yee, Mila Hiu Lam Pang, Tsz Ying YoYo Lau, Yee Sum Lee and Yu Nam Suet.

Brunch on the Terrace

Sunday brunch on the terrace, what’s not to like? This month The Envoy at The Pottinger Hotel in Central launched a new Sunday Brunch menu featuring a range of dishes designed to complement their delicious crafted cocktail menu.

The brunch dishes are solid, but the range of choices is very traditional. bc tried the eggs benedict (available with creamy spinach; parma ham and mushroom or smoked salmon and avocado) $188, traditional breakfast $178 and the milo lava toast $88. All were well presented and enjoyable, but nothing to have you tweeting, get here and try this… unlike the cocktails which are rather good.

And really you are here to relax,chat and enjoy the fine crafted cocktails created by Charlene Dawes and Antonio Lai – the duo behind the drinks menus at Quinary and Origin. There are over 25 to choose from and there’s quite literally something for everyone. Many of the most interesting feature twists on local dishes and ingredients and flavours range from sweet to sour and everywhere in between. Almost all are served in unique or interesting glasses and clever, but not extraneous garnishing is the rule of the day.

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What’s good about the current crafted cocktails trend is that they’re drinks designed primarily to be enjoyed – not to get you drunk. This allows for the tasting and enjoyment of several, where the only pain will be on your wallet as they not cheap costing between $128-$188.

There are lots of relaxed places to enjoy sunday brunch, The Envoy’s terrace with the sun out, cocktail in hand is certainly one to add to your list of options.

The Envoy: 3/F, The Pottinger Hotel, 74 Queen’s Road, Central
Tel: 2169 3311, Open: noon-1am www.theenvoy.hk

Match Report: Hong Kong 2-0 Singapore @ Mongkok – 11 October, 2016

https://youtu.be/81T_BzqUMb0

Hong Kong beat Singapore 2-0 in an international friendly at Mong Kok Stadium. Alex Akande got the hosts on their way with a clinical strike four minutes before the break. A powerful drive from Huang Yang in the 70th minute to put the result beyond doubt.

Irfan Fandi, the eldest son of Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad, made his debut as the visitors showed plenty of energy and initiative in the opening exchanges. However, the home team gradually forced their way into the contest. In the 33rd minute, catching the defence napping, Sandro threaded a neat through-pass to Akande. But Lions’ keeper Izwan Mahbud was alert to the danger, and raced off his line to deny the Kitchee striker.

Hong Kong broke the deadlock eight minutes later when Lam Ka Wai lofted the ball between two Singaporean defenders and into the path of Akande who did well to control the bouncing ball before coolly firing into the far corner.

Buoyed at taking the lead, and with the majority of the 4,136 fans cheering them on, the hosts looked the likelier of the two sides to score after the break. Singapore did have an opportunity to equalise in the 69th minute when the lively Iqbal Hussain latched onto Shakir Hamzah’s cross only to blast wide of the near post.

A minute later and Hong Kong scored their second. Roberto’s floated pass was nodded down by Jaimes McKee to Akande, who turned provider by laying the ball off for Huang to drill an unstoppable effort past Izwan.

Deep into injury-time, Singapore had a chance to pull a goal back as Iqbal forced Yapp into a flying reflex save that denied the Lions an opportunity to salvage some pride with a consolation goal.

Hong Kong:
Yapp Hung Fai, Cheng King Ho, Festus Baise (Andy Russell 65′), Helio, Lee Hong Lim (Leung Chun Pong 78′), Huang Yang (Lo Kwan Yee 87′), Lam Ka Wai (Jaimes McKee 65′), Sandro (Wong Wai 77′), Xu Deshuai (Roberto 65′), Godfred Karikari, Alex Akande
Scorers: Alex Akande (41′), Huang Yang (70′)

Singapore:
Izwan Mahbud, Madhu Mohana (Faris Ramli 80′), Baihakki Khaizan (Fahrudin Mustafic 58′), Daniel Bennett, Shakir Hamzah, Iqbal Hussain, M. Anumanthan, Hariss Harun (Izzdin Shafiq 64′), Gabriel Quak (Shawal Anuar 77′), Irfan Fandi (Faritz Hameed 59′), Khairul Amri (Yasir Hanapi 78′)

Additional reporting: Agencies

Blair Reeve: Author and Peel Street Poet

New Zealander Blair Reeve has been writing and performing a rhythmic and comical style of performance poetry since 1995. He spent the first seven years of the new millennium teaching English in Japanese junior high schools before moving to Hong Kong where he continued to teach phonics to primary students until 2013. He graduated from Massey University (NZ) in 2012 after studying Japanese and English Literature and then turned his attention to more sustained creative writing by joining the City University of Hong Kong’s Masters in Fine Arts program. He completed this in 2014, and one year later published his first children’s book Hogart The Hedgehog Turns Nink. In September 2016 he published his second book for young readers, Greta von Gerbil & Her Really Large Lexicon. Currently he works from home, caring for his infant daughter and mentoring post-grad students at Chinese U for their portfolios in creative writing. He was a feature author in the Hong Kong Young Readers’ Literary Festival in March 2016 and will be performing at the upcoming TEDxWanChai event on October 29.

How long have you been involved in poetry?
I’ve been involved in poetry since I was a kid in the 70s. First as a reader of comic verse—things like Spike Milligan, limericks & nonsense verse. In high school I really took to analyzing poetry, but I didn’t start writing until I was about 20. I was a pretender of anguished verse, which came from being one of those dyed-in-the-wool Cure fans. I then took up writing poetry as something to be read aloud and performed. This transition from pretender to writer/performer happened around 1996.

What inspires you to write?
My inspiration comes entirely from other poets and poetry. When I see writing I like it makes me want to write better. Hence my early poems were all like bad Goth lyrics. Then I was inspired by other performer-poets during my Dunedin days of the 90s and some of the old Victorian stuff I read at that time, especially Gerard Manly Hopkins who had a really playful word thing going on. Dr. Seuss continues to be an inspiration when I read to my daughter and that led me to wanting to write comical anapestic rhyming verse. This is so much fun I’m sticking with it for the time being.

How does Hong Kong influence your writing?
Hong Kong influences my writing in an indirect way. My social scene is miscellaneous and so it frees me to be as experimental as I like. It also means the cultural inputs into my writing are diverse, and I like that. I like that my poetry is informed by so many different perspectives. But my writing tends to be interior and imaginative rather than worldly, and in that sense, Hong Kong as a direct subject has yet to make it into my writing.

Here’s an extract from Blair’s new children’s book.

Flaytoo the Friendly Mayfly (extract)
Said Phlooty the Mayfly to Flaytoo his boy,
“You’re four hours old now, you’ve played with that toy
since the moment your mother gave birth to you son.
You’ve only got twenty more hours to have fun,
so don’t hesitate, Flayt, get out in the sun.”

“We’re fish food, young chap, and that’s perfectly fine.
I’ve nothing against fish who do need to dine,
but there’s no need to hurry yourself to their plate.
Your time here is precious. Their stomachs can wait.
So listen up kiddo, go fly to the ends
of the field and make lots of new wonderful friends.
Because mayflies like us—we don’t live very long.
We’ve only one day till the end of our song.”

Then Phlooty the Mayfly unflicked his four wings,
and left Flaytoo flying alone without strings.

“Say what?” exclaimed Flaytoo, “I’ve only one day?
That barely leaves time for a Mayfly to play!
Well I certainly mustn’tly waste my time ruing
those four hours gone when I ought to be doing
what Phlooty suggested—travelling and seeing
how other flies spend their lives living and being.”

Peel Street Poetry is an open mic poetry night at Orange Peel. It runs every Wednesday of the month except the first. The environment is friendly and they love new performers, so come share your poetry or just listen along to some of Hong Kong’s sharpest poetic talents.

Peel Street Poetry Open Mic
Date: 2nd, 3rd, 4th (and 5th) Wednesdays of the month
Venue: Orange Peel
Tickets: Free
More info:
www.peelstreetpoetry.com

Edited: 1 November 2016 – extract amended, last line was missing