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Cup of Nations Preview

The Cup of Nations returns this weekend. The four-team competition features countries selected with an eye on Hong Kong’s potential opponents in the Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification stages. 2015 champions and favourites to defend their title Russia, Zimbabwe, debutants Papua New Guinea and hosts Hong Kong play a round-robin series on three match days, – the 11, 15 and 19 of November.

“We want to win of course” said coach Leigh Jones. “The tournament will provide some important insight, specifically where we are and where we still need to improve, which is particularly important given the new pathways established for Rugby World Cup qualification.”

Under the new Rugby World Cup qualification format, Asia will send it’s top-ranked side, currently Japan, through to the World Cup as Asia 1. Asia 2, the spot filled by Hong Kong in the 2015 Rugby World Cup qualification campaign, will now play a home and away series versus Oceania 4, with the winners advancing to the penultimate stage of qualification, an international repechage series, which in the past has featured Russia and Zimbabwe.

In preparation for the tournament Jones has been working with an expanded training squad of 36 players who were given an extended break from the local Premiership rugby to participate in international training. The extra week allowed Jones to put the squad – comprised of Elite Rugby Programme players, Hong Kong sevens squad members, semi-professional players in the domestic leagues and National Age Grade graduates, through their paces.

“During the training week, we played a mini Cup of Nations format, effectively simulating the varying styles we are likely to face in the Cup of Nations,” said Jones. Who added “This is a great competition for us as it offers the opportunity to expose our players to high intensity matches against teams outside of Asia. With three very different tests in the space of nine days, we will need to be smart in how we use the squad and in selecting the right players to suit the different approaches we will see.”

First up for Hong Kong on the 11 November at King’s Park are Papua New Guinea who will be looking to continue a run of wins over Tahiti, American Samoa and the Solomon Islands that saw them win the 2015 Oceania Cup.

“It’s been difficult to get information on Papua New Guinea, so they are a bit of an unknown but we expect a tough encounter,” said Jones. “They should be quite physical and hard-hitting, so we will need to counter that with a very structured game and will rely on our set piece to perform.”

In Zimbabwe, Jones expects a similar style to that Hong Kong faced when touring Kenya last summer. “Zimbabwe aren’t too dissimilar to Kenya in that they are very athletic and play a very individual style of rugby. We will need to rely on our collective strength and discipline to overcome their individual skills.”

Zimbabwe will be hunting for it’s first win in Hong Kong and it’s first test victory in over a year, after losing all three matches here last year, including a 30-11 loss against Hong Kong. The Sables’ most recent test action was this summer when they lost to Namibia, Kenya and Uganda in the Africa Cup.

Russia, at 21, the highest ranked team in the competition return in good form and are likely to prove the biggest hurdle to Hong Kong’s efforts to win the Cup for the first time. Russia played their most recent tests in June – against tier one unions Canada and USA (both losses). Prior to that they beat Spain, Germany and Portugal in the 2016 European Nations Cup, losing only to Romania.

“Our approach for Russia will be almost diametrically opposite to the first two matches. They are power orientated with a big set piece and play a Northern Hemisphere style game. We will need a different philosophy for this test, one where we try to bring a high tempo into the game, negate their forward dominance and rely on more of our game-changers in the backline,” said Jones.

Cup of Nations
Hong Kong, Russia, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea
Date: 11, 15, 19 November, 2016
Venues: King’s Park, HK Football Club
Tickets: Free
More info:
11 November @ King’s Park
5pm – Russia v Zimbabwe
7pm – Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea

15 November @ King’s Park
5pm – Russia v Papua New Guinea
7pm – Hong Kong v Zimbabwe

19 November @ HK Football Club
5pm – Zimbabwe v Papua New Guinea
7pm – Hong Kong v Russia

Additional reporting and image: HKRU

Match Report: University Pirates 0-39 HKFC Fire @ Sandy Bay – 5 November, 2016

With the bitter taste of recent defeat still lingering in their mouths, Tash Ellis-Enright reports the HKFC Fire were in no mood to admire the beautiful Sandy Bay sea view.

Recent changes to player positions and some of the girls playing against former team mates meant that the Fire went onto the pitch full of excitement and nerves. As always, they were ready to fight for a win!

The first half saw the University Pirates working really hard with some tough girls on defence. The Fire forwards were equally as tough, hitting hard and low, and managing to win most of their scrums. These strong girls showed an excellent display of pod work and created the platform that saw the Fire score three first half tries through Crystal Wray, Apple Lau and Maggie Wong who snagged her first of season. Half-time score 17-0.

After half time Fire went back onto the pitch; they fought hard, as if no points had already been scored. Fire sharpened up their defensive line and played most of the game in the Pirates half of the pitch. The forwards continued their strong work on offence as well allowing Apple score her second try of the match. The backs shone through, working hard as a unit, to see Crystal score 2 break away tries and complete her hat-trick. Rabbit joined Maggie in scoring her first try of the season while Helen successfully kicked 2 conversions!

With a great display of sportsmanship from players and supporters, it was a well-deserved 39-0 win for Fire! Just goes to show that hard work and extra practice really does pay off!

HKFC Fire
Nicole Lai, Lok Ting Chan, Marueen Cheng, Caroline Lau, Lu Hou, Zuza Osinska, Cynthia Luk, Apple Lau, Helen Lee, Rabbit Leung, Maggie Wong, Tash Ellis-Enright, Crystal Wray, Mo Cheng, Casey Gallagher, Karus Leung, Amy Kong, Selene, Morgane, Tracy Tong, Alex Fraser.
Tries: Apple Lau (2), Maggie Wong (1), Crystal Wray (3), Rabbit Leung (1) Conversion: Helen Lee (2)
Coaches: Gloria Cheung, John Hannon, Ed Barker

Babar Hayat and Anshuman Rath Steer Hong Kong to Series Victory

Babar Hayat and Anshuman Rath stared in a rain-affected match as Hong Kong triumphed in the third and final One Day International against Papua New Guinea to seal a 2-1 series win at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.

After being set an intimidating 245 on a slow surface, captain Babar Hayat (82*) and Anshuman Rath (52*) produced an unbeaten 120-run partnership to guide the home side to victory. The target was adjusted to 178 runs in 38 overs after rain shortened the match while Hong Kong were 170-3 after 31 overs.

In the PNG innings a brilliant unbeaten 76 off 62 balls from Mahuru Dai, smashed in the final overs, saw the visitors recover from 144-6 to 244-7 from their 50 overs.

The chase was far from comfortable for Hong Kong, especially after Nizakat Khan was dismissed for 9 with the score reading 61-3. But Hayat and Rath both scored at near a run-a-ball to quickly shift the pressure back on to the Barramundis. Rath was named man-of-the-match after also taking 3-25 with the ball.

Hayat was named man of the series and was understandably delighted after the match. “I’m really proud of how we played and came back after losing the last game to win here,” Hayat said.

“It means a lot to us to win at home in front of our family, friends and fans and really pleased that our senior players stepped up. Obviously it gives us a lot of confidence for the Kenya series in a couple of week’s time.” Hayat added “I thought we improved on our fielding and rotating the strike today which is what we wanted to do.”

PNG coach Dipak Patel said the experience for his side had been a worthwhile one despite the loss. “We don’t handle the Asian conditions all that well and to lose the series was disappointing but from what we have learned it will be valuable for us,” Patel said.

“We’ve loved it here in Hong Kong and been looked after really well and we take away a huge positive of having come back to win that second game after going behind. It’s the last game for us this year so I was really pleased with their attitude.”

Hong Kong will travel to Nairobi next week to play two ICC World Cricket League fixtures against Kenya.

Match Summary
Hong Kong 181-3 in 33.3 overs
(Babar Hayat 82* Anshuman Rath 52*) def
Papua New Guinea 244/7 (Target revised to 178 off 38 overs due to rain)
(Mahuru Dai 76* Anshuma Rath 3-25)

Additional reporting: HK Cricket
Photo: Phoebe Leung

Beijing’s Reinterpretation of Article 104

Article 104 of the Hong Kong’s Basic Law states:
When assuming office, the Chief Executive, principal officials, members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Council, judges of the courts at all levels and other members of the judiciary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must, in accordance with law, swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

Today Beijing offered it’s unsought interpretation which make s three points:

1: Content of the oath
The passage in Article 104 “swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China,” is the “statutory content” of the Legco oath.

It is also the “statutory requirement and condition” for people to take public office stated in that article, including lawmakers.

2: Definition of “in accordance with law”
a) Taking the oath is a statutory condition and mandatory procedure for people to assume public office.

If one has not taken a valid oath accepted by law, or if one declines to swear in, he or she cannot assume office, and cannot exercise the duties and enjoy the privileges of public office.

b) The oath-taking must fulfil the statutory requirements in format and content. The person taking the oath should take it sincerely and solemnly and must accurately, completely and solemnly read out phrases such as “uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China” and “bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China” as stated in the statutory oath.

c) If the oath-taker refuses to take the oath, he or she shall be disqualified from assuming public office. One is deemed to have refused to take the oath – and subsequently have his or her oath invalidated – if he or she deliberately reads out an oath different from the statutory oath or does it in an insincere or frivolous manner.

d) The oath administrator has the duty to confirm the oath taking is carried out legally and that the oath complies with this interpretation and Hong Kong law.

Any oath that does not satisfy the above interpretation should be confirmed as an “invalid” oath. Retaking the oath is forbidden.

3: Consequences of breach

Those who make a “false oath” or engage themselves in acts that violate the oath after taking it will bear legal responsibility.

Since this interpretation adds things not explicitly written into the existing law, can it be applied retroactively to those who took the oath in the past? If Hong Kong’s judicial system, the most fundamental difference between Hong Kong and China, remains truly ‘independent’ then that will be for the lawyers to argue over and ultimately the Court of Final Appeal to decide.

Logic and common sense would say that you can’t be guilty of something that wasn’t a ‘crime’ when you did it. But the law, common sense and logic make strange bed-fellows. The law has lots of ways to circumvent law changes. eg driving at the legal speed of 40 only for the limit to be reduced the next day to 30. You can’t be charged with speeding because your speed was legal at the time, but you could be charged with careless driving…

So will the judiciary fall over to kiss Beijing’s derriere, for those of us who love Hong Kong we have to hope not. While the law is a living evolving thing, precedents and case law establish a framework for how that happens.

If the CCP is allowed to trample over the law, then tragically Hong Kong is a dead man walking. If the law has no meaning, why will multi-nationals and big companies remain here when a contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. They will just move to China where contracts are always open to reinterpretation, often by a sack of money under the table or a fist.

Read the Basic Law here

Falcons beat Tigers in Women’s Premisership

USRC Tigers ran unbeaten Gai Wu Falcons close at So Kon Po, losing a tight encounter, 12-0. In the weekend’s other Women’s Premiership match Kowloon beat City Sparkle 21-0. The match between Valley Black and HKFC Ice was postponed. For the National league 1 & 2 results click here.

The tight contest between last year’s second and third places finishers saw the Tigers trail 5-0 at the break despite Falcons exerting a strong territorial advantage in the first forty minutes.

“We played superb rugby in the first half,” said Falcons coach Lai Yiu-pang. “We kept Tigers under a lot of pressure and penned them back in their half for most of the opening period. We knew that the game was going to be a physical test and we matched up with them well. I think they only managed to get the ball in our half one or two times in the first half.”

Lai credited his forward pack, laden with Hong Kong fifteens and sevens stars, as the difference makers this afternoon, saying, “Our forwards did really well in both attack and defence. We have a lot of sevens players in the backline who are just coming off their international season and I think they need to develop their fifteens-sense a bit more as we made a lot of errors in the backline today.”

The Falcons had their full compliment of 13 national squad representatives available including Aggie Poon Pak-yan who played for 65 minutes in her first fifteens game of the season, after being injured in the Asian sevens series.

Despite the loss, Tigers coach Liu Kwok-leung was proud of his team’s efforts: “Compared to our game against Valley [a 32-3 loss] last weekend we played much better today. The girls took the lessons from last week to heart and showed a big improvement.”

Ahead of the game, Liu had warned his side of the importance of closing down Gai Wu’s speed and attack in open play. That comment proved true as Gai Wu pulled away for good in the second half after capitalising on a rare defensive miscue by Tigers, when a botched clearance kick failed to make touch and was returned by Falcon’s speedy wing Chong Ka-yan for a try that put the game out of reach for Tigers.

Liu also bemoaned his side’s inability to convert their chances saying, “We had a lot of possession but we couldn’t take our opportunities to score. The game was really close especially in the first half with both teams’ defences playing very well and forcing a lot of errors.

Our defensive effort was top notch. We really shut them down in the first half and our line speed and communication on defence was really good, but we just lacked some composure on attack.”

“We are looking forward to the second round of matches and will analyse our early performance with the players, but there is a lot we can build off from this match. I think we may need to refine some of our patterns and structures when we play against the top teams like Valley and Falcons, but it is coming together well,” Liu added.

The Falcons’ win brought its hot streak to five matches, during which they have only conceded a single unconverted try. Next up they taken on Valley Black for what promises to be the match of the season so far next week. While the Tigers now prepare to take on Football Club.

Kowloon collected its first win of the season, 21-0 over Premiership debutants City, who were hunting for their first win in Hong Kong Women’s Rugby’s top flight.

Additional reporting and image: HKrugby

PNG Beat Hong Kong by 14 Runs

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-PNG-2nd-ODI-Tin/i-sJS449r

Nadeem spins through Papua New Guinea top order, but Chad Soper’s six turns tide as PNG square the One Day International series against Hong Kong at 1-1 after producing a late fight back to win by 14 runs.

The six wicket haul to PNG opening bowler Chad Soper swung the game the way of the visitors as they successfully defended a score of 201 by dismissing Hong Kong for 186 in the penultimate over.

Hong Kong did look set for victory at 176-6 but lost their last four wickets for 11 runs. Earlier, it was spinner Nadeem Ahmed who starred for Hong Kong taking 4-50 from his 10 overs including the first three scalps.

PNG skipper Assad Vala made 70, which held the innings together in the middle overs on a wicket that turned sharply. Anshuman Rath backed up his impressive performance with the ball in the first game, taking 3-28 from his 10 overs.

In reply, Hong Kong were reduced to 31-3 in the chase, losing both Kinchit Shah and captain Babar Hayat without scoring. Starts were made by Jamie Atkinson (23), Nizakat Khan (33) and Anshuman Rath (21) but ultimately they did not capitalise.

19-year-old Shahid Wasif made an impressive 45 to take the score to 5-154. But the return of Soper brought his end as he became the first PNG player to take a five wicket haul in an ODI.

The late collapse was a major disappointment to coach Simon Cook who lamented his side’s missed chance at taking the series.

“We made the same mistakes as in the first time but this time it cost us,” Cook said. “We didn’t rotate the strike with the bat, which we spoke a lot about, and in the end we put ourselves under pressure because of it. It was a tough pitch and credit to PNG for how they bowled but I’m very disappointed we weren’t able to see it through.”

One Day International Series: Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea
Date: 4, 6, 8 November, 2016
Venue: Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground
Tickets: $500, $30 from Ticketflap

Additional reporting: HKcricket

Hong Kong v PNG – 6 November, 2016

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-PNG-2nd-ODI-Tin/i-FgMJSvg

A fair sized crowd enjoyed a sunny day’s cricket at Tin Kwong Road where Hong Kong lost to PNG in the second of three 50 over internationals.
Click on any photo for the full gallery of images

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-PNG-2nd-ODI-Tin/i-qHjL3gj

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-PNG-2nd-ODI-Tin/i-wT9qcBs

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-PNG-2nd-ODI-Tin/i-5zRq6mZ

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2016/Hong-Kong-v-PNG-2nd-ODI-Tin/i-PRKmKr9

Category: November