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UBB Gavekal Win Hong Kong Tens

UBB Gavekal retained the Bill Burgess Cup at the 33rd HK Football Club Tens as a late try by Fiji Sevens back Leveni Kurimalawai secured a thrilling 24-17 win over a Tradition YCAC side dominated by New Zealanders.

The pace of UBB’s Fiji Sevens backs proved the difference in the final as Samu Bale touched down for an early opener, Sakeo Raloa added two tries and Kurimalawai scored the winner after the sides were locked at 17-17 at Hong Kong Football Club.

Representing Top 14 club Union Bordeaux Begles, UBB were surprise winners last year, but this year lived up to their top-seed status as head coach Matt Clarkin – a former UBB captain – led his side to a second successive victory.

“We’re ecstatic. We’re ecstatic! We knew going back-to-back was going to be an even bigger challenge than coming last year as underdogs, but we thrived on that challenge and the boys showed up hungry and they got the job done,” said Clarkin, whose five Fiji Sevens players included forwards Keponi Paul and Vasikali Mudu.

“The Fiji guys did for us what they did for us last year, but our trademark is working hard for each other. I think that’s still our strength and I think you saw that in the final. To have three yellow cards against you and still come out on top is a huge feat so I couldn’t be prouder of them.”

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UBB ran out to a quick 12-0 lead with tries from Bale and Raloa, before New Zealand’s Angus Gibbens pulled one back for YCAC. Raloa extended UBB’s lead to 17-5 before tries by New Zealand’s Te Puoho Stephens and Tonga’s Willie Fotofili made it 17-17, but Kurimalawai scored late on to ensure captain Nick Smith lifted the Cup.

“It was the same thing as last year: we just came together as a tight unit,” said Smith, who scored four tries from flyhalf, while compatriot Renata Tenana also scored four tries over the two days.

“We’re all from different parts of the world, from Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand and Hong Kong, but at the end of the day, it’s how you gel together.”

Fourth seeds Samurai International won the second-tier Plate as an all-Fijian squad led by player-coach Nasoni Roko beat A-Trade Overseas Old Boys 28-7. Samurai’s dreams of winning the Cup for the first time were shattered by King’s College, who scored a last-play try to win a dramatic Cup quarter-final 15-14.

The Scottish Exiles won a trophy for the first time at the HKFC 10s after the Hong Kong-based side beat Hunter + Boo East Africans 38-7 in the third-tier Bowl final. Competing for the seventh straight year, Scottish Exiles had finished runner-up in the Plate final three times, so captain Jamie Pincott was delighted to finally lift a trophy.

“It’s been a long few years, especially hitting the finals a lot of the time and coming away empty handed so it’s nice to have this win and to take the trophy home,” said Pincott.

“You can really hear the crowd out here and its really great to play in front of them so I really enjoyed it. It was great to be out there and East Africans are a tough team. It’s good to see them develop over the years and it was great to see them here again.”

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HKFC co-captains Tom Isaacs and Mitch Andrews lifted the Shield after the hosts beat Irish Vikings 17-0. It was a popular victory for the home side after an impressive domestic season and a personal triumph for Isaacs, a former Wales Sevens back who lost in the Plate final twice when playing for Cardiff University in 2006 and 2007.

“We’re very happy. It was a tough two days, but we’re really proud of the way the boys performed in the last two games. I got to the Plate final twice before and actually lost against the Irish Vikings one time, so personally it was nice for me to get that win,” said Isaacs, whose team were boosted by former Australia Sevens speedster Josh Coward, who scored three tries.

“Josh was a big asset. He’s an exciting player once he gets his hands on the ball so it was one of our tactics is try to get it to him as quickly as possible. He finished off some great tries and it was great to have him on the ball.”

Cup Final: UBB Gavekal 24-17 Tradition YCAC

Plate Final: Samurai International 28-7 A-Trade Overseas Old Boys

Bowl Final: Taikoo Place Scottish Exiles 38-7 Hunter + Boo East Africans

Plate Final: Natixis HKFC 17-0 Irish Vikings

All results: www.hongkongtens.com/match.php

Additional reporting and images: HK10s

HK Womens Sevens @ So Kon Po – 5 April, 2018

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A packed crowd at So Kon Po enjoyed a sun-drenched day of exciting rugby at the 2018 HK Women’s Rugby Sevens. Apart from a superb solo try by Natasha Olson Thorne, in a hard fought 17-12 victory against Kazakhstan, there was little local cheer as two heavy defeats against Brazil (38-0) and China (19-7) meant the hosts again failed to reach day two and a first experience of the HK Stadium atmosphere.
Click on any photo for the full gallery of images.

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Hong Kong At The Women’s Sevens

After a disappointing tournament in 2017 the Hong Kong women’s team again look to make their debut at the Hong Kong Stadium and Coach Kevin West has picked a squad for the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Qualifier that blends experience and youth.

Five players are set to make their sevens debut at So Kon Po – the newcomers are Stephanie Chan Chor-ki, Vivian Poon Hoi-yan, Amber Tsang Wing-chi, Agnes Chan Tsz-Ching and Agnes Tse Wing-kui.

While captain and vice captain Christy Cheng Ka-chi and Natasha Olson-Thorne both make their eighth Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens appearance.

“It’s a good group,” said West. “It’s a real mix of experience and youth, which is what we’ve been trying to do. There are five making their Hong Kong debuts, but we’ve been lucky because they’ve already had tournaments in Fiji and Borneo. They all have some tournament experience – not of the level of Hong Kong maybe, but there’s only one way to find that out isn’t there?”

West continued “Agnes Chan was one of our great finds at the fifteens world cup and she has just kicked on since then; it’s great to have her in. Vivian, Amber and Stephanie all give us a degree of pace, they make the squad slightly pacier throughout the park, rather than having one or two fliers. All of them play as if they’ve got nothing to lose, which is great.”

The debuts are partially injury-forced, (after the loss of wings Chong Ka-yan and Aggie Poon Pak-yan and fly half Lee Tsz-ting in the build-up). “We have had to look at things after losing some of our major strike threats in Aggie and Ka-yan, and a lot of experience in BB, but that’s the nature of the sport – with the newcomers we are well covered,” said West.

About Agnes Tse, who only joined the squad this month, West said “I coached her in our junior development fifteens programme… We particularly needed to cover that outside back area, the centre/wing area, which kept some of the others from making the squad at the end of the day, but Agnes has obviously done really well. She has earned her selection.”

“She’s tough and she has speed. Her job for us is to have a go, to take the line on. She’s good in the tackle and quite physical. She’s settled in really well and done brilliantly really. She is a level, mature girl, who I’m sure will just put her head down, take it all in stride and work hard,” added West.

Hong Kong open the tournament against Brazil (11.36), before playing more familiar foes in China (13.48) and Kazakhstan (16.22).

“Like just about every team we will be playing they’re bigger than us,” West said of the Brazilians, who beat World Series side and Asian champions Japan twice en route to a ninth-place finish in Rio.

“They also have a bit of pace. Actually there are a lot of similarities in the style of play throughout the group, with China and Kazakhstan also having a real physical element. We are prepared for that,” said West.

With a chance to play on the Stadium pitch during Hong Kong Sevens – and a spot on the World Series up for grabs West has the squad focused on the weekend but is also looking to the future.

“We are taking Hong Kong very seriously. It is our home tournament, so there is both a need and some pressure for us to perform, but we are very aware that our major goal this year is the Asian Games.

“So, for these girls to get this sort of tournament under their belts, against some of the world’s best and some of the competition we will play at the Games will hold us in good stead regardless of anything else,” said West.

The action begins at So Kon Po, directly across from the Hong Kong Stadium, on Thursday, 5 April. After the pool stages, the quarterfinalists (top eight) of the 12-team international competition will move to the Stadium on Friday, 6 April, as part of the opening day’s action at the Hong Kong Sevens. The winner of the Qualifier receives an automatic berth on next season’s World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.

Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Squad – World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Qualifier 2018 :
Christy Cheng Ka-chi (Captain),
Natasha Olson-Thorne (Vice Captain),
Agnes Chan Tsz-Ching,
Stephanie Chan Chor-ki,
Ivy Kwong Sau-yan,
Melody LiNim-yan,
Nam Ka-man,
Vivian Poon Hoi-yan,
Sham Wai-sum,
Colleen Tjosvold,
Amber Tsang Wing-chi,
Agnes Tse Wing-kiu.

Additional reporting and images: HKRU

Rugby Week 2018

After the individual creativity of Art Week, the wonders of team creativity are on display as Rugby Week 2018 scrums down.

The action starts at King’s Park on Wednesday with KowloonFest where the old and venerable rumble around the pitch and have a lot of fun as their brain sees them sprinting to score a fantastic try only to find their legs unable to keep up…

While the 7s is all speed and patterns, perhaps the best rugby of the week is at the Hong Kong Tens. With proper scrums and brutal power forward play the Tens features, especially on Thursday night, perhaps the closest we in Hong Kong can get to seeing modern rugby up close and personal. Select teams packed with talent, new and old, from around the world put a physicality and rawness to images seen on television that really has to be experienced in person.

The wonderful HK Women’s Seven is again a qualifier for the Women’s World Series. If you can’t get a ticket to the Sevens then head to So Kon Po and cheer on Hong Kong.

The Sevens, amidst the partying a rugby tournament takes place. The quality of the other World Series tournaments isn’t as good as in the past – empty stadiums on the World Series attest to that. Yet Hong Kong still sees teams raising their game…

Here are the dates for your diary for what promises to be some fantastic sport and a lot of fun.

Kowloon Fest
When: 4 April, 2018
Where: Kings Park
How much: Free
More info: www.rugbyfest.org

Hong Kong Tens
When: 4-5 April, 2018
Where: Hong Kong Football Club
How much: $125, $100 (advance)
More info: www.hongkongtens.com

Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens
When: 5-6 April, 2018
Where: So Kon Po, Semi-final and Final-HK Stadium
How much: Free
More info: www.facebook.com/hkwr.sevens

Hong Kong 7s
When: 6-8 April, 2018
Where: HK Stadium
How much: $1,950 (sold out)
More info: www.hksevens.com

Hong Kong Cricket Club Close Down Rugby Section

Hong Kong Cricket Club have announced that the rugby section of the club will close down and merge with HKU Sandy Bay effective immediately.

The full details of the announcement are here:

Hong Kong Cricket Club (HKCC) has had a proud tradition in rugby both on and off the field since 2003. Despite HKCC’s lack of on-site rugby facilities, HKCC Rugby Section has an enviable reputation and has been highly competitive over a number of seasons in the Premiership and other levels, including winning the Premiership on several occasions. Through HKCC’s successful affiliation with HKU Sandy Bay RFC for almost 10 years, HKCC has been able to further support the development of both new players and coaches. This affiliation has contributed significantly to the development of local rugby especially on West Island Hong Kong.

Over the past few months, HKCC and the Rugby Section have been considering how rugby in Hong Kong is evolving and how HKCC can best respond to the challenges and opportunities facing the sport, including the increasing drive towards high performance rugby and the desire to create a ‘top to bottom’ structure encompassing all levels of rugby from high performance to social grade to youth and mini rugby. To continue supporting the development of rugby, HKCC and the Rugby Section have participated in extensive discussions with key stakeholders and proactively explored a number of options within the constraints of the Club’s on-site facilities and governance as a not-for-profit members’ club.

After careful consideration, focused around how HKCC can best support the development of rugby in Hong Kong, it has been agreed that the Rugby Section will transition away from HKCC and officially merge with HKU Sandy Bay RFC at the end of 2017/18 season. The combined rugby club will be one of the largest in Hong Kong, with approximately 1,000 players, and encompass all levels of rugby from high performance to social grade to youth and minis. HKU Sandy Bay RFC’s committee has recently unanimously approved the merger and transitional arrangements are currently underway.

The transition of HKCC Rugby Section to HKU Sandy Bay RFC will enable the sport to continue to develop at all levels and provide the operational flexibility and agility needed to fund and support the continuing development of the sport of Rugby at the highest levels.

This is truly an exciting opportunity that will create playing opportunities for all members of the community, further develop the sport of rugby in Hong Kong, and allow players to reach their full potential at whatever level they choose to play. HKCC and the Rugby Section are both committed to ensuring that there is a smooth transition to, and successful future for, rugby at HKU Sandy Bay RFC.

Women’s Rugby Grand Championship Final Results – 10 March, 2018

Premiership Grand Final

Gai Wu Falcons 31-10 Valley Black
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 16:30

Gai Wu Falcons
Hoi Lam Ho, Nga Wun Lau, Ka Wai Lam, Debby, Ka Yin Wong, Yee Ching Chan, Wai Yan Pun, Christy Cheng Ka Chi, Ka Yan Chan, Wai Sum Sham, Tsz Ting Lee, Pak Yan Poon, Aggie, Greer Muir, Tsz Ting Cheng, Ka Yan Chong, Abigail Chan
Reserves: Ka Shun Lee, Chin Yee Wu, Hiu Ki Yip, Sharon Shin Yuen Tsang, Tsz Yung Ching, Suet Ying Wong, Wing See Chiu, Melody Blessing Li Nim Yan
Tries: Lee Tsz-ting (2), Chong Ka-yan, Nga Wun Lau, Sham Wai-sum
Conversions: Lee Tsz-ting (3)

Valley Black
KK Wong, Karen So, Jasmine Cheung, Ching To Cheng, Deena Ravi Thinakaran, Suzanne Sittko, Caitlin Spencer, Aroha Savage, Colleen Tjosvold, Bella Milo, Jessica Eden, Tanya Young, Zoë Smith, Nadia Cuvilier, Jade Birkby
Reserves: Akanisi Au Yeung, Li Lai Mang, Becky, Sonia Vashi, Wing Yan Leung, Kelsie Bouttle, Kim Senogles, Laurel Chor, Yuen Yin Lo
Tries: Nadia Cuvilier (2)

National League 1 Grand Final

Revolution SRC 10-7 HK Scottish Kukris
@ KG V, Kick-off: 16:30

Revolution SRC
Jacqueline Oi Ying Chau, Wai Ching Siu, Ho Yan Ho, Helene Hopman, In Kwan Lam, Tsz Ki Lau, Choi Fung Cheung, Wing Ying Chan, Yuen Shan Poon, Ting Ting Chu, Wing Yiu Ho, Stephanie Chor Ki Chan, Yuet Yi Yam, Tsz Ching Wong, Ka Yan Chan
Reserve: Ka Yee Yim, Wai King Shek, Ching Laam Shou, Hin Kiu Tsang, Sin Ting Lau, Tess Yeung, Tsz Ning Tsang, Wing Yan Wong

HK Scottish Kukris + Discovery Bay
Marianna Bigazzi, Yuen Chan, Gloria Chan, Laura Horsfall, Oi Yan, Crystal Lee, Wun Lo Chung, Pui Yau Chan, Myron Ng, Yik Sheung Andie Ma, Karis Cheung, Man Ling Hui, Sze Ting Li, Fung Yuen Ting, Vera Hei Ting Lau, Hau Yi Chung
Reserve: Hoi Tung Jim, Jia Choi Wan, Taro Yau, Yik Lam Lau, Celina Malunes, Chan Po Ki, Holly On-ting Yuen, Ket Robinson

National League 2 Grand Final

CWB Lammergeier 15-10 Police Sirens
@ KG V, Kick-off: 16:30

CWB Lammergeier
Cheung Yik Sze,Lydia, Tin Yan, Dora Chim, Wing Sze, Winnie On, Pak Wai Ling, Lin Yin, Liu Kit Ying, Ka Wing Ng, Tse Man Sze, Cookie, Ho Ting ‘Hoty’ Chan, Suet Ying Lo, Mo Tsz Ching, Stephanie Chan, Lau Sin Tung, Chan Ka Wai, Siu Man Nga
Reserve: Kitty Kan, Michelle Lam, Wong Man Yan, Ka Ki Cheung, Kara Jones, Kong ‘Koko’ Yin Ting, Li Man Yi, Suet Ni Pak, Tsang Yuen Ying, Wong Sze Man

Police Sirens
Edna Hiu-Tung, Edwina Ng, Idy, Yik Yan Chan, Man Yan Li, Yo, Kwan Yi Lee, Hoi Yan Li, Sue Yik-chi, Ade Lai-nga Wong, Sin Man Ng, Haysan Shiu Man Yip, Wai Yin Joker Lo, Wing Tan Yau, Chan Po Tung, Pui Pui Man, Van, Sze Wan Chan, Ching Man ‘Dee’ Wong
Reserve: Lan Fong Queenie Yip, Ngan Shan Shan, Ching Man Tung, Ling Shan Lam, Sze Ting Choi, Tsang Wai Ming, Yuki Lee

Images: hkru, revolution src, CWB Lammergeier

Western Force to Play Hong Kong in World Series Rugby

Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest has announced seven invitational matches for axed Super Rugby club Western Force later this year. Grandly titling the games, referencing Kerry Packer, World Series Rugby.

The seven match World Series Rugby will trial some new initiatives including a try being worth 10 points and a fixed time frame for scrums and lineouts. Former Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, who is serving as an adviser, believed an innovative revamp would make the game “faster and more exciting.” Lyangh added “We want to keep the ball in play and really reward the skills.”

The rule changes are designed to make the game more spectator and player friendly and Forrest hopes that WSR will evolve into a fully-fledged international competition for the Asia Pacific region in 2019 and beyond.

The matches, to be played at Perth’s NIB Stadium, will pit the new look Force team against Pacific nations Fiji, Tonga and Samoa plus Hong Kong and Super Rugby outfits the Rebels and Crusaders between May and August. A Japanese team is likely to round out the competition.

The former Tuggeranong Vikings coach Tim Sampson will lead the squad, which contains 11 former Force players and some familiar names in former Springboks centre Jacque Fourie, Peter Grant, Chris Alcock and Rod Davies.

Force squad: AJ Alatimu, Chris Alcock, Marcel Brache, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Rod Davies, Andrew Deegan, Tevin Ferris, Jaque Fourie, Josh Furno, Peter Grant, Chris Heiberg, Rodney Iona, Feleti Kaitu’u, Brad Lacey, Kieran Longbottom, Ryan Louwrens, Cameron Orr, Harrison Orr, Leon Power, Ian Prior, Harry Scoble, Tom Sheminant, Brynard Stander, Elliot Turner, Clay Uyen, Fergus Lee-Warner

WSR invitational matches in 2018
May 4 v Fiji
May 13 v Tonga
June 9 v Rebels
June 22 v Crusaders
July 13 v Samoa
Aug 10 v Hong Kong
Aug 17 TBA

Gai Wu Dominate Valley to Win Grand Championship!

Gai Wu Falcons added the Grand Championship to their league title beating Valley Black 31-10 in the Premiership Grand Final. The victory gave the Falcons their first Premiership league and championship double since the 2012/13 season.

Gai Wu scored five tries and defended resolutely to nullify Valley’s potent attack. The Falcons led 12-0 at the break with fly half BB Lee Tsz-ting scoring 16 points with a try in each half and three conversions.

The final – featuring 11 of the Hong Kong national team that played at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup – was a fairly evenly contested early on with both sides having chances on, but the defences held strong.

The first score came for the Falcons after Valley centre Tanya Young was sin-binned in the 26th minute. The one woman advantage was the little difference that Gai Wu’s forwards needed as they took full advantage of the extra space to drive deep into Valley’s half.

Valley’s first up defence held strong, forcing a ruck in the far corner, but a clever shift of play by Gai Wu scrumhalf Sham Wai-sum put fly-half Lee into a seam behind the Valley defence. The Hong Kong no.10 showed a clean pair of heels to sprint the last few metres and dive over the line for the game’s first try. Lee converted her own score to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead.

The three-time defending league and grand champions Valley conceded a crucial penalty shortly shortly after returning to full strength as they were pinged for going straight to ground at the ruck. Lee’s penalty attempt fell short, but the Valley defence bobbled the take, knocking the ball on beneath their posts to give Gai Wu an attacking scrum five metres from the Valley line.

No.8 Angela Chan Ka-yan did well to corral the ball at the back of the scrum and the Falcons carried the ball for three phases before scoring in the corner, with Sham scoring the try to extend Gai Wu’s lead to 12-0 after Lee missed the conversion.

Valley found themselves in the unfamiliar position of trailing at the start the second half and their discombobulation continued when play resumed as Falcons wing Aggie Poon Pak-yan ventured off her line to devastating effect on several occasions, while the direct running lines of centre Greer Muir kept the Valley defence off balance.

In the 43rd minute Poon timed her run off the opposite wing perfectly to enter the line between Sham and Lee and used her pace to turn a half-gap in the defence into a long meandering run that brought the Falcons close to Valley’s line.

Poon offloaded the ball in contact to her supporting forwards, who executed some probing attacks around the fringes of the ruck before Hong Kong prop Tammy Lau crashed over the line, extending Gai Wu’s advantage to 19 points after Lee’s conversion.

Lee collected her brace in the 58th minute after the Falcons backed themselves twice in opting for scrums rather than two kickable penalties. The Falcons pack was up to the challenge at scrum-time and Gai Wu found space along the left-hand side again, with Lee popping up deep with the ball to score her second try in the corner. Lee’s conversion was unsuccessful, but Gai Wu held a commanding 24-0 lead with twenty minutes remaining.

Valley wing Nadia Cuvelier scored the first of her two second half tries in the 62nd minute when she finished off a 70-metre break started by centre Zoe Smith to put Valley on the board at 24-5.

But before Valley could build any momentum, winger Chong Ka-yan flashed some individual brilliance and pace for the Falcons, selling a beautiful dummy deep in her own half to create space for an 80 metre solo try as Gai Wu extended their lead to 31-5.

Cuvelier replied with her second of the game in the 78th minute, but it would prove nothing more than consolation for Valley who saw their Grand Championship and league winning streak ended by Falcons this season.

Falcons coach “Sailo” Lai Yiu-pang hailed his side’s collective effort, saying, “What made me most proud today was the effort we put in as a team. We put our bodies on the line and you can see from the scoreline how effective we were.”

“I was surprised by the margin at the end. Like everyone, I expected a closer game, but I think our determination made the difference. We played better as a team,” said Lai.

Women’s Premiership Grand Championship Final:
Gai Wu Falcons 31-10 Valley Black

Additional reporting and images: hkru

Premiership Grand Final

National League 1 Grand Final

National League 2 Grand Final

Women’s Premiership Grand Championship Final: Gai Wu Falcons 31-10 Valley Black

Women’s Premiership Grand Championship Final:
Gai Wu Falcons 31-10 Valley Black