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Category: 2019
Historic Hong Kong Victory, 14-12 Against Netherlands
Hong Kong’s women’s 15s held their nerve to score a historic 14-12 win over the Netherlands on 26 November in Amsterdam to record their first-ever test victory over a European team.
Against the 13th ranked team in the world Hong Kong (ranked 21st) lead 7-0 at half time courtesy of a try from prop Tammy Lau Nga-wun, with fly-half Aileen Ryan adding the conversion. The visitors stretched their lead to 14-nil early in the second half with tighthead prop Lee Ka-shun scoring and debutant Lara Schats converting.
The Netherlands stormed back with two tries, the unconverted second with ten minutes remaining saw Hong Kong retain a two-point lead into the final stretch. Hong Kong soaked up intense Dutch pressure but held firm. A missed penalty attempt by the visitors as time expired wasn’t costly on a marvellous night for women’s rugby in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong coach, Jo Hull, hailed it as a pivotal win for a young team featuring ten debutants.
“It was a meaningful win for us, but we are keeping our feet on the ground. They had some new players, and I expect them to revert to their experience now. We are expecting to play a different Netherlands team on Saturday.
Hull continued “It was a great win; a real nail biter, but slightly frustrating at the same time. We lacked execution in the first half. We had possession but could not convert opportunities and made too many individual errors.”
“At half time we talked a lot about executing, and playing our game. Our set-piece and lineout were working well, so we could play more of a kicking game and we controlled the game well in the second half,” said Hull, who wants her team to demand even more of themselves on Saturday.
“Our only focus now is on finishing the job. How we improve from Tuesday to Saturday is the biggest test of the tour,” Hull added.
For Hull the difference in the first test came from Hong Kong’s ability to dictate the games’ tempo and timely contributions from the reserves.
“We had good impact off the bench; Maelle Picut who came on at No.8 and Jasmine Fung came on at centre and added significant impact and energy. We played with the momentum and tempo we wanted to, and did well at slowing them down.”
“Our focus is on our recovery and our execution. Being sure we are physically and mentally ready to play and getting our best combinations out on the pitch.
“One of the most pleasing things we saw in the first game was the things we have been working on in training being executed on the pitch. That is a huge confidence boost for the girls,” Hull added.
Hull expects what was already a significant physical challenge to intensify. “They are much bigger than us, so I was pleased with how we played at the breakdown and in contact, particularly after we were disappointed with our performance in those areas in our training camp with Scotland.
“We held our own on tonight, but I anticipate a more physical game ahead. We used our speed and tempo game well against them and will need to do it again.”
Hull also noted the positive performance of some of the newer players like Roshini Turner, who made her Hong Kong debut in the second row with veteran Tsang Ching-man, and another emerging star in Amy Pyle who did not shy from the contact game.
“Roshini played really well in the lineouts, both of the rows did, they paired well and it was a good debut for her. Amy also had a very strong game, and was really physical in defence.”
A couple of young heads also showed excellent composure for Hull in fly half Ryan and centre Lara Schats.
“They performed well. Despite being young, they are reliable kicking options for us and helped control the game. It was a real challenge for them to step up into what is a big job and in big positions. We were pleased with all of the new players.
“They now understand what is required at international level. It was an eye opener for them and the focus will be on how well we adjust from tonight to Saturday.”
Hull will be keen to close out the sweep but objectives have largely been met as the team grows in confidence.
“Our goal is to play more outside of Asia. We are now seeing the results. This win was a huge marker for us, to beat a team from outside our comfort zone, particularly a team as challenging as the Netherlands with their physical size and athleticism.
“It is an experience that will impact our Rugby World Cup journey and the players are absorbing every bit of it to help them down the line,” said Hull.
Hong Kong Tour Squad v The Netherlands
Dr Karen So Hoi-ting (Captain), Lau Nga-wun, Vincci Leung Wing-yi, Winnie Siu Wing-ni, Iris Lam Tim-yeung, Riva Brill, Chan Hiu-tung, Cheung Shuk-hang, Hana Lane*, Lee Ka-shun, Maelle Picut*, Suzanne Sittko*, Roshini Turner* Au King-to*, Chloe Chan*, Fung Hoi-ching*, Tsang Ching-man, Chow Mei-nam, Jessica Eden, Jessica Ho Wai-on, Sarah Lucas, Lara Schats*, Vivian Poon Hoi-yan*, Amy Pyle, Aileen Ryan, Zoe Smith, Hebe Talas*, Bena Yu Bo-yan.* Hong Kong Debut.
Additional reporting and images: HKRU
‘Mask Law’ Found Unconstitutional by High Court
The ‘Mask law’ introduced by Carrie Lam under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, Cap 241 was found to be unconstitutional by the High Court in a Judgement issued today, 18 November, 2019.
There were two separate court actions against the ‘Mask Law’ and they were heard together. Here is the press summary, the full judgement can be found here HCAL2945/2019 and HCAL2949/2019
IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE
HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE
CONSTITUTIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW LIST
NO 2949 of 2019
IN THE MATTER of the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, Cap 241
and
IN THE MATTER of the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation, Cap 241K
Between
LEUNG KWOK HUNG (梁國雄)
and
SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE – 1st Putative Respondent
CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN COUNCIL – 2nd Putative Respondent
DATES OF HEARING: 31 October and 1 November 2019
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 18 November 2019
REPRESENTATION:
Gladys Li SC, Mr Johannes Chan SC (Hon), Mr Earl Deng, Mr Jeffrey Tam, Mr Geoffrey Yeung and Ms Allison Wong, instructed by Ho Tse Wai & Partners, for the 1st to 24th Applicants in HCAL 2945/2019
Mr Hectar Pun SC, Mr Lee Siu Him and Mr Anson Wong Yu Yat, instructed by JCC Cheung & Co, assigned by the Director of Legal Aid Department, for the Applicant in HCAL 2949/2019
Mr Benjamin Yu SC, Mr Jenkin Suen SC, Mr Jimmy Ma and Mr Mike Lui, instructed by the Department of Justice, for the Putative Respondents in both HCAL 2945/2019 and HCAL 2949/2019
SUMMARY:
1. These are two applications for judicial review seeking to impugn the Emergency Regulations Ordinance (Cap 241) (“ERO”) and the Prohibition of Face Covering Regulation (Cap 241K)(“PFCR”) made thereunder as being invalid and unconstitutional.
2. By Ground 1, the applicants contend that the ERO is unconstitutional because it amounts to an impermissible grant or delegation of general legislative power by the legislature to the Chief Executive in Council (“CEIC”) and contravenes the constitutional framework under the Basic Law. The court holds that the ERO, insofar as it empowers the CEIC to make regulations on any occasion of public danger, is incompatible with the Basic Law, having regard in particular to Arts 2, 8, 17(2), 18, 48, 56, 62(5), 66 and 73(1) thereof. The court leaves open the question of the constitutionality of the ERO insofar as it relates to any occasion of emergency.
3. As to Ground 2, the court holds that the ERO was not impliedly repealed by s 5 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap 383) (“HKBORO”). Insofar as it is invoked in situations not falling within the kind of public emergency referred to in the HKBORO, the Bill of Rights is not suspended and the measures adopted will have to comply with it.
4. On Ground 3, the court holds that the ERO does not in itself fall foul of the “prescribed by law” requirement (ie the principle of legal certainty). Where regulations and measures are adopted under the ERO that curtail fundamental rights, the entire relevant body of law including the regulations and measures have to be taken together to see whether they meet the requirement of sufficient accessibility and certainty.
5. Under Ground 4, the applicants contend that the general words in s 2(1) of the ERO are not to be construed as allowing the Government to adopt measures that infringe fundamental rights of the individual and that the PFCR is therefore beyond the power conferred on the CEIC by the ERO. The court finds that it is not necessary to deal with this Ground and does not express any view on it.
6. Under Ground 5A, the applicants contend that s 3 of the PFCR fails to satisfy the proportionality test (as explained in Hysan Development Co Ltd v Town Planning Board (2016) 19 HKCFAR 372, §§134‑135). The court holds that the provisions in s 3(1)(a), (b), (c) and (d) of the PFCR are rationally connected to legitimate societal aims that the respondents intend by those measures to pursue but the restrictions that sub‑paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) impose on fundamental rights go further than is reasonably necessary for the furtherance of those objects and therefore fail to meet the proportionality test.
7. Under Ground 5B, the applicants contend that s 5 of the PFCR fails to satisfy the proportionality test. The court holds that the measure introduced by s 5 of the PFCR is rationally connected to the legitimate societal aims pursued but the restrictions it imposes on fundamental rights also go further than is reasonably necessary for the furtherance of those objects and therefore fail to meet the proportionality test.
8. In the light of these conclusions, there will be a further hearing for the parties to make submissions on the appropriate relief and costs.
Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 16 November, 2019 -Cancelled
All fixtures for the 16 November 2019 have been cancelled and will be reschuled for a later date.
Women’s Rugby Results – 9 November, 2019
Premiership
Tai Po Dragons 5-43 Kowloon
@ KG V, Kick-off: 16:30
Valley Black 48-0 HKFC Ice
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 18:00
HK Scottish 27-5 CWB Phoenix
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 18:00
Gai Wu Falcons 12-17 USRC Tigers
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:15
National League 1
Valley Red 15-14 Sandy Bay Storm
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 13:30
HK Scottish Kelpies 0-87 Gai Wu Fawkes
@ KG V, Kick-off: 15:00
HKFC Fire 29-10 City Sparkles
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 16:30
Revolution SRC 0-27 USRC Tigers 2
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 16:30
Kowloon 0-12 Tin Shui Wai Pandas
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00
National League 2
Gai Wu Hawks 20-5 City Twinkles
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 15:00
Tai Po Dragons 32-5 University
@ KG V, Kick-off: 18:00
Images: Phoebe Leung
Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 9 November, 2019
Remembrance Day 2019 – Lest We Forget
Remembrance Day
We wear a poppy
On Remembrance Day,
And at eleven
We stand and pray.
Wreaths are put
Upon a grave.
As we remember
Our soldiers brave.
The Poppy Appeal in Hong Kong
Poppies can be obtained at the following locations:
From Tuesday 29th October 2019: Temporary Poppy Depot at Room 3505, The Landmark Edinburgh Tower, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong (Tel : 2713 3315).
Opening hours: Mondays-Fridays 9am-5pm
Friday 8th and Saturday 9th November 2019:
Charity Booth in Pacific Place (at the end of Skybridge Level L2) from 10am to 6pm
Saturday 9th November 2019 – Poppy Day.
The streets of Hong Kong Island from 9am – 12:15pm.
For the Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
– Laurence Binyon (2014)
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
– John McCrae
James Suckling Great Wines of the World @ Grand Hyatt – 31 October, 2019
Over a thousand wine lovers descended on the Grand Hyatt for the James Suckling Great Wines of the World tasting event on the 31 October.
Click here or on any image for the full gallery of images
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/James-Suckling-Great-Wines-of-the-World-Grand-Hyatt-2019/i-Dr5t36b
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/James-Suckling-Great-Wines-of-the-World-Grand-Hyatt-2019/i-68vdb3S
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/James-Suckling-Great-Wines-of-the-World-Grand-Hyatt-2019/i-8Q7rwrk
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/James-Suckling-Great-Wines-of-the-World-Grand-Hyatt-2019/i-fqgXMSH
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/James-Suckling-Great-Wines-of-the-World-Grand-Hyatt-2019/i-zMnf3rZ
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/James-Suckling-Great-Wines-of-the-World-Grand-Hyatt-2019/i-bP9XWZx
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2019/James-Suckling-Great-Wines-of-the-World-Grand-Hyatt-2019/i-Gp6pLBk