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Hong Kong Take on Sydney Sixers

Hong Kong will play inaugural Big Bash League champions Sydney Sixers on the 16 December at C.ex Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour as part of their 10-day tour to Australia in December. The fixture means Hong Kong will now play two matches against Big Bash League teams, following last week’s announcement of a fixture against Sydney Thunder.

HK Cricket Association CEO Tim Cutler said about the game “The opportunity to play in the country, and experience country NSW life is a great opportunity for the guys and will be a great character building experience,” said Cutler. “Australia only probably got a taste of what Hong Kong has to offer with Ming Li being the Sixers community rookie last year…so this is another great chance for Australians, and especially country Australians, to see what talent there is in Hong Kong.”

The game will see many of the Sixers’ stars have their final hit out before the start of the KFC T20 Big Bash League on 20 December. “The guys are fortunate enough to be heading to Coffs Harbour which will be four days before our first BBL match,” said Sixers and Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe. “It’s vitally important that we hit the ground running and we’re at top speed at that time of year, but not only that it’s important that we get out there and showcase our skills to the local people of Coffs Harbour.

Sixers General Manager Dominic Remond commented “It is a great opportunity for our fans to experience Big Bash. It is an added bonus that our friends from the Hong Kong Cricket Association are sending their National team to play.”

Hong Kong v Sydney Sixers
Date: 6pm, 16 December 2016
Venue: C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
Tickets: Free

Women’s Rugby Results – 24 September, 2016

Premiership

Valley Black 45-7 CWB Phoenix
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 15:00

Gai Wu 56-0 Kowloon
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 16:30

City Sparkle 3-45 USRC Tigers
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00

Photo: Valley Black

Asia Sevens Series Korea: Day 1 Results – 24 September, 2016

Hong Kong’s men and women had a good first first day in the second leg of the Asia Sevens Series in Korea with both teams making it through to the Cup semi-final.

All the semi-finals and finals are being live streamed Asia Rugby‘s YouTube channel AsiaRugbyLive

Hong Kong’s women won their first two matches convincingly against Uzbekistan (51-0) and Singapore (24-0) but lost a closely fought final match of the day encounter against Japan 24-12. This though was a vastly improved performance against a team that thrashed them in Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago. Hong Kong finished second in Pool C and will play China, who easily won Pool D, in the second Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The men also finished second in their pool, after cruising to easy wins over Taiwan (47-5) and Japan (57-0), Hong Kong lost a thrilling match against hosts Korea 28-21 and will also play China in their cup semi-final. While Japan are looking to blood new young university age players, it does devalue the competition and dis-respect the other competitors that their side is not even competitive.

Hong Kong Look for Second Win in Asian Rugby Sevens Series

Hong Kong’s men’s Sevens team will look to continue their winning ways in the second leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Korea this weekend, after a convincing cup win in the first leg held in Hong Kong earlier this month. Coach Gareth Baber has named a largely unchanged squad with forward Mark Wright coming in for James Cunningham in the only change to the side.

“JC [Cunningham] picked up an injury in the first leg and was out of training for a couple of weeks so we felt he wasn’t just right for this leg. Fortunately we were able to call Mark up. Mark is really combative and likes the contact area. He’s hugely experienced having been in numerous Asian Games and qualifiers and he has huge respect amongst the guys and provides good leadership on the pitch. That experience will be important considering we are away in a very tough pool,” said Baber.

Hong Kong are in the ‘pool of death’ sitting atop group A with hosts South Korea – who will test Hong Kong’s mettle playing in front of their home crowd – Japan and Chinese Taipei. Sri Lanka tops pool B ahead of China, Malaysia and Singapore.

“It’s a tough pool. With the way the seedings work from the first tournament Japan ended up with us and Korea. It will be challenging but for us to get the most we can from this competition we want to play as many tough games as possible. Win or lose we want to be challenged,” Baber said.

Baber knows the team will have targets on their backs after claiming the season’s first silverware: “If we show the same form as we did in Hong Kong, we will be fine. Having won we have laid down the challenge for other teams in terms of our levels and from my experience of the Series the other teams will respond to that.”

Japan have strengthened thier side, after crashing to the plate competition in Hong Kong, bringing rangy back Jamie Henry into the side as well as a new group of untested youngsters as they look to build depth for the 2020 Olympics.

“We have to keep our momentum going from the opening leg. Yes we won but it was only the first tournament and we were at home. It was a good start but we need to keep our heads about us and make sure we do enough to stay a step ahead of everyone else,” Baber concluded.

The men’s Series results will determine the Asian teams participating in the Hong Kong Sevens’ World Rugby Sevens Series qualifiers in 2017, with the top two teams advancing to the 12-team qualifier next April. More importantly this year’s Asian champion will also earn an invite to the World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in Singapore.

Hong Kong Men’s Seven Squad for Korea Sevens:
Max Woodward (Captain), Mark Wright, Michael Coverdale, Christopher Maize, Lee Jones, Cado Lee Ka-To, Ben Rimene, Alex Mcqueen, Tom Mcqueen, Rowan Varty, Ryan Meacheam, Salom Yiu Kam-Shing.

Additional reporting and image: HKRU

Hong Kong Women Head to Korea

After finishing third in the opening Hong Kong leg of the Asia Women’s Sevens Series coach Anna Richards is looking for significant improvement in Korea, but a challenging pool could complicate matters. Hong Kong are drawn in Pool C with Japan, Singapore and Uzbekistan. China top Pool D ahead of Thailand, South Korea and Guam.

For the second leg of the three leg series Richards has stuck with the core of the squad who played in the home leg earlier this month, making just two changes as Melody Li Nim-yan and prodigious finisher Aggie Poon Pak-yan make way for Amelie Seure who will reinforce the forwards and utility back Lindsay Varty.

Poon is out with an injury picked up in the opening tournament with a likely return for the series finale in Sri Lanka next month. Li makes way for Amelie Seure as Richards rotates from the wider squad.

“I need to make sure that we are looking at all of the players and with Aggie out injured Lindsay provides some good backline depth for us. We brought in Amelie to help counter some of the size differential that we saw against some of the bigger teams in Hong Kong. Amelie is a good ball-carrier and we want to see what she can bring this weekend,” said Richards.

“Our goal is to reach the final and give ourselves a shot to win. It will be tough because Japan and China again demonstrated that they are quality sides.” continued Richards who believes that wining the Korean leg is within reach as long as her charges can hold their nerve. “We need to cut down the errors from the first tournament and to make sure that we stay calm and focussed in the pressure games against Japan and China.”

“I thought we played quite well at times in the opening leg. We set up some opportunities against China but we didn’t capitalise on them and we just let in too many easy tries against Japan,” said Richards who continued that Captain Christy Cheng Ka-chi and vice captain Natasha Olson-Thorne have a big role to play in keeping the squad’s composure in the pressure games.

“It’s across the squad really. It’s everyone’s responsibility but we do rely on Christy and Tash to help keep the players in the frame in those pressure matches,” Richards concluded.

Hong Kong Women’s Seven for Korea Sevens (24-25 September):
Cheng Ka-Chi, Christy (captain); Natasha Olson-Thorne (vice Captain); Nam Ka-Man; Candy Cheng Tsz-Ting; Amelie Seure; Sham Wai-Sum; Colleen Tjosvold; Kwong Sau-Yan; Lindsay Varty; Chong Ka-Yan, Adrienne Garvey, Yuen Lok-Yee.

Additional reporting and image: HKRU

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 24 September, 2016

Artistic Swimmers

Some of Hong Kong’s Olympic swimming team have appeared in an artistic photo shoot by Rex Tsui to promote swimming, the Victoria Harbour race on 16 October and to raise awareness that to succeed in anything it takes persistence and determination. They might not have won medals, but there are not many people in Hong Kong who can say they represented their country at the Olympic games. Chapeaux!

Swimmers participating in the photo shoot included Au Hoi-shun Stephanie (歐鎧淳), Kong Man-yi Yvette (江忞懿), Cheng Lily-mei Camille (鄭莉梅), and Sze Hang Yu (施幸余), together they formed HK’s relay team, and Lau Yin-yan Claudia (劉彥恩) and Geoffrey Cheah (謝旻樹) who represented Hong Kong in the women’s backstroke and men’s freestyle, respectively.

https://youtu.be/fUwsnFCQY_Q

Victoria Harbour Race 2016 Promotion Video featuring Hong Kong's Olympic Swimmers (https://youtu.be/fUwsnFCQY_Q)

Stephanie Au, also known as “Oriental Venus”, who was Hong Kong’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics, commented that “I used to sing in the water when I was young. This is my first time to participate in the Harbour Race; I do not have any target but to enjoy the process. I am a bit afraid to swim in the sea but I believe it will be a great one.”

Harbour Race
Date: 8:30am, 16 October, 2016
Venue: Sam Ka Tsuen pier, Lei Yue Mun to Quarry Bay Park pier
Tickets: Free
More info: www.hkharbourrace.com, www.facebook.com/harbourrace

HK Cricket: Match Reports 16-18 September, 2016

National Players star in Domestic Cricket as Premier League gets underway.

A sunny Mid-Autumn long weekend saw the Hong Kong domestic cricket season start with a flourish of willow. Hong Kong’s national players, including Babar Hayat and Tanveer Ahmad, all performed well for their clubs to show how they have improved with a summer of training and international cricket.

Premier League 1-Day

Little Sai Wan v Pakistan Association
In the season opener for the Premier League, Little Sai Wan (DLSW) defeated Pakistan Association (PACC) with nine wickets to spare.

Batting first, PACC was all out with 120 runs, led by Balal Muhammad (31) and Ahsan Abbasi Ali (26).

DLSW’s Hong Kong spinner Nadeem Ahmed (2/10) chipped in with two wickets, while Niaz Ali (3/30) and Mudassar Hussain (3/11) contributed to keep PACC’s batting in check and deliver a very makable target.

DLSW’s response was led by Hong Kong Captain Babar Hayat, who scored the season’s first century with exactly 100 runs off 48 balls. It only took 15 and a half overs for DLSW to take their opening victory of the season.
Scorecard: www.crichq.com/#matches/429107/1st_innings

Kowloon Cricket Club v Hong Kong Cricket Club
In the second Premier League match of the day, Kowloon Cricket Club beat Hong Kong Cricket Club in Wong Nai Chung Gap by 7 wickets.

HKCC’s Courtney Kruger scored 45 off 44 balls to lead the team, while James Redmayne added 34 runs as KCC’s Hong Kong bowlers Waqas Barkat (3/23) and Tanveer Ahmad (3/43) limited HKCC to 151 all out.

KCC’s chase was opened by Hong Kong youngsters Aizaz Khan (33 off 35) and Ninad Shah (11). Former Hong Kong skipper Jamie Atkinson’s 63 and Waqas Barkat’s 33 fast-forwarded the chase and brought the away victory at the 27th over.

HKCC’s Isaac Poole took three wickets for 34 runs.
Scorecard: www.crichq.com/#matches/429111/1st_innings

Championship League Division A

KCC Saracens v KCC Crusaders
In the Kowloon Cricket Club derby, the Saracens beat the Crusaders behind two century-makers.

Batting first, Saracens’ opener and Hong Kong player Chris Carter scored 102 runs off 77 balls. Sunny Bhimsaria also knocked 102 runs. Deepinder Singh added 31 to bring the total to a massive 265/5.

Aditya Kanthan was the best bowler for the Crusaders with 3/32. He was also the highest scorer during their chase with 33 runs. Damian Kelleher added 22 runs but it was not enough. They finished the innings with 136/8.
Scorecard: www.crichq.com/#matches/428457/1st_innings

Taipan Sky Warriors v HKCC Gap Ramblers
Hong Kong Cricket Club Gap Ramblers started their title defence by beating Taipan Sky Warriors at home with six wickets to spare.

Sky Warriors batted first and were all out for 145. Gap Ramblers’ Satyendra Singh was the top bowler with 3/15, while Tom Ingram and Charles McInerney each took two wickets.

In response, the middle-order batsmen for the Gap Ramblers led the charge. Stuart Tohill scored 44 off 45 balls, while Isaac Poole added an efficient 43 off 23 balls to the victory.
Scorecard: www.crichq.com/#matches/428656/1st_innings

HKCC Nomads v KCC Tartars
The Hong Kong Cricket Club Nomads beat the Kowloon Cricket Club Tartars in a closely contested match.

The Tartars batted first and scored one run short of 200. Former Hong Kong Captain Najeeb Amar scored 58 off 47 balls, while Muhammad Khan added a half century. They batted through their innings with 199/8. Daljeet Singh of the Nomads took three wickets while S Bhojwani took two.

Nomads’ opener S Ayer led the chase with 79 off 62 balls before being caught out in the 21st over. They were at 113/2. D Singh scored 61 to bring the total within reach, with 190/4 in the 32nd over. A Claire and C White finished the chase with nine balls left in the game.
Scorecard: www.crichq.com/#matches/428828/1st_innings

HKCC Witherers v KCC Crusaders
Hong Kong Cricket Club Witherers won by 25 runs at home against Kowloon Cricket Club Crusaders.

Witherers batted first and provided a balanced team effort. Four batsmen reached double figures, including M Ashton (44), J Warby (43), T Whisker (39*) and L Ginnivan (21). 181 was their total. Crusaders’ Aditya Kanthan continued his good form from Saturday with 2/33. Ruan DeBruin bowled two for 43.

Crusaders’ Damian Kelleher (39) and Dylan Dearing (38) gave the Crusaders a good chance of victory, but their teammates did not do enough to do that. Witherers’ Tim Whisker took four wickets for 40 runs in seven overs.
Scorecard: www.crichq.com/#matches/428661/1st_innings

Championship League Division B

Pioneers CC v University of Hong Kong Cricket Club
The University of Hong Kong Cricket Club beat Pioneers comfortably to get two wins in a row.

Pioneers chose to bat first but they did not perform well. They could only score 23 runs all out. Six HKU bowlers took one wicket each.

In response, HKU only needed 14 balls to get the victory.
Scorecard: www.crichq.com/#matches/428658/1st_innings

DLSW Sarjan v Centaurs Cricket Club
Little Sai Wan Sarjan beat Centaurs Cricket Club by a massive 130 runs, behind Aftab Hussain’s century.

Batting first, Sarjan’s opener Aftab Hussain only needed 73 balls to reach 105 runs, while his opening partner Haseeb Muhammad scored 50. Haroon Arshad added another 80 to help Sarjan reached 279.

Centaurs’ opening batsman G Raj started the chase with 47 runs. Rizwan Masood (38) and Keith Frith (35*) tried close the gap, but the target was proved to be too high.

Sarjan’s Saqib Mahmood was the bowler of the match with 2/18 in seven overs.
Scorecard: www.crichq.com/#matches/428660/1st_innings

Additional reporting and photo: HK Cricket Association