Match Report: Valley Reds 42-10 Taipo Dragons

Valley Reds - 10 October, 2015

Week 2 of the Womens NL1 saw Valley Reds take on Taipo Dragons at Shek Kip Mei Park. The Dragons opening up with a great run from their nifty fly-half who scored under the posts 10 minutes into the game. Valley answered back with a great chip and chase from new player Zoe Smith who showed speed and skill to regather her kick ahead and put Valley on the board at 5 all.

With both teams fighting for territory and possession, Taipo Dragon’s fly-half again showed skill and pace to cut through the Reds defence before dotting down for another 5 points. 10 – 5 to Taipo Dragons after 20 minutes.

The Reds looked to answer back, with a few penalties going their way, Captain KK Wong showed her experience taking a quick tap and go to score in the corner, bringing the game to 10 all.

Valley now confident and stringing together some good phases saw them end the half on top with a great scrum leading to Reds front row Anita Vogel notch a 5 pointer with a classic forwards pick and go scoring on the white line. Half time score 17 – 10

The second half saw some great play from both teams, the Dragons coming out strong but Valley continued to gain the upper hand, with the Red’s backline running some good patterns to get the ball out to Zoe Smith who ran in another two tries to complete her hat-trick, 27 – 10.

Valley’s healthy lead offered a chance for those on the bench and reserve lock Aryana Gant and midfielder Suzzana Stikko both took advantage scoring a try each. Young winger Sophie Lai completed the scoring with try in the corner after a solid scrum.

Strong performances from experienced senior player Julie Savoie who gained forward of the match and in form center Zoe Smith providing easy choice as backs player of the day.

Valley Reds 42-10 Taipo Dragons
@ Shek Kip Mei
Valley Reds: Anita Vogel, Shermaine Choi, Natalie Chan, Kim Senogles, Clarant Ho, Teagan Lo, Jessica Knight, KK Wong, Carman Law, K Wong, Sophie Lai, Lewis Wong, Zoe Smith, Michelle Kim, Tarryn Lo,
Substitutes: Anna Hyrske, Phoebe Fok, Aggie Au Yeung, Aryana Gant, Emily Russell, Suzanne Stikko, Julie Savoie
Try: Zoe Smith (3), Anita Vogel, KK Wong, Aryana Gant, Suzzanne Stikko, Sophie Lai. Conversions: Kay Wong

Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Squad Announced

Women's-Squad-2015-HK-Sevens

The Hong Kong Women’s Sevens squad was announced today. Hong Kong will face a stiff – albeit familiar, challenge after being drawn into an all-Asian pool for the Hong Kong Women’s Sevens in 2015. Hong Kong will face Asian number one China, Kazakhstan (ranked fourth behind third-placed Hong Kong) and Singapore in their opening round matches.

Although missing a few key players due to injury, head coach Anna Richards has still been able to name an experienced squad under the captaincy of Royce Chan Leong Sze, who makes her tenth appearance at the Hong Kong Women’s Sevens.

Try-scoring threats Aggie Poon Pak Yan and Natasha Olson-Thorne have both been named in the final twelve, which features two change to the squad that won the Asia-Pacific Cross-Regional Sevens in Borneo last month. The experienced Candy Cheng Tsz Ting earns her eighth Hong Kong Sevens appearance while Nam Ka Man makes her debut. In total, ten of the squad have played previously in the Women’s Sevens, with Adrienne Garvey and Nam the only debutants.

Women’s Squad:
Royce CHAN, Leong Sze (captain) #
Christy CHENG, Ka Chi (vice captain)
Candy CHENG, Tsz Ting
Adrienne GARVEY*
KWONG Sau Yan
LAI Pou Fan
NAM Ka Man*
Natasha OLSON-THORNE
Aggie POON, Pak Yan
Amelie SEURE
SHAM Wai Sum
Lindsay VARTY

Anna RICHARDS (Head Coach)
Mark KOMAR (Coach)
Dannii CHEUNG (Manager)

* Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens
# 10th Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens appearance in 2015

Hong Kong Match Schedule (Pool Rounds)

Thursday 27th March, King’s Park

Match Time Game
4 11.00 Hong Kong     v Singapore
10 13.00 Hong Kong     v Kazakhstan
17 15.50 Hong Kong     v China