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Match Report: Valley Red Ladies 17-10 HKCC

It’s round 3 of the Womens NL1 and the Valley Red Ladies take on Hong Kong Cricket Club at Happy Valley

The HKCC Ladies soon made it apparent that they were in it to win it after last week’s literally last kick of the match defeat to Scottish Kukris. The undefeated Valley Red Ladies, who won their last game 42-10, were full of confidence that they could make it three wins out of three. Anita Vogel reports on a fantastic game.

An initial intense and powerful surge by HKCC, saw the Valley Red Ladies pushed back into their 22, but the Red’s managed to defend the line and exerting some pressure won the ball back and worked their way to the half way line. A see-sawing half saw both sides attack and stoutly defend their lines until Valley conceded a penalty deep in their own half. This time the hard working HKCC ladies took advantage to score the opening try.

From the restart, the Valley Ladies regained possession, working through several phases of the ball to probe deeply into HKCC’s half. The Valley forwards then combined for a classic pick and go as captain Ci Wong evened out the scores.

For the spectators on the sideline this was an exciting match between two evenly matched opponents with both sides working tirelessly to exploit any slight advantage or mistake. A great kick and chase from Valley speedster Zoe Schmidt, almost saw Valley break the deadlock, but it was HKCC who won the forward power struggle and scored their second try to lead 10-5 at half-time.

Re-energised after the break Valley attacked again and after a string of penalties and a yellow card for HKCC, Red’s Aggie Au Yeung and the forward pack battled their way to the HKCC try line and the score was tied at 10-10.

The last 20 minutes saw the fiercely contested match swing slightly one way then the other as both sides fought back and forth with only small errors allowing a glimpse of a chance of a break through. HKCC had most of the possession, but stout defense from the Reds was not allowing much gain and tiring out the HKCC attack.

With 5 minutes to go it was still anybody’s game, a penalty and a quick tap from captain Ci Wong saw Valley to the 5m line. Their two previous tries came from aggressive pick and go play and with HKCC looking for that, Valley put the ball out wide to Lewis Wong, who scored the game’s final try between the posts, which made it easy for Kay Wong to convert.

Valley Red 17-10 HKCC
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 18:00

Women’s Rugby Results – 17 October, 2015

Premiership
Valley Black 54-5 Kowloon
@ KGV, Kick-off: 18:00

USRC Tigers 54-0 Tai Po
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00

Gai Wu Falcons v HKFC Ice
@ HK Football Club, Kick-off: postponed

National League 1
HKFC Fire 0-56 CWB Pheasants
@ HK Football Club, Kick-off: 16:30

Tai Po Dragons 5-27 USRC Tigers
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 16:30

Gai Wu Fawkes 0-33 City Sparkles
@ So Kon Po, Kick-off: 16:30

Valley Red 17-10 HKCC
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 18:00
HKCC Ladies: Jo Harvey, Wawa Li, Joan Yip, Lauren Petersen, Nobuko Oda, Lainie Man, Cheryl Gourley, Lynda Nazer, Emma Chung, Lucy Thomson, Christy Ma, Izzy Rivers, Tissia Polycarpe, Steph Zhang, Diana Li
Substitutes: Katie Rowbottom, Angie Ng, Mhairi McLoughlin, Charlotte Berry, Kassie Chapel, Elane Lau
Try: Izzy Rivers, Lynda Nazer

HK Scottish v SRC
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 18:00

Women’s 10s
Tin Shui Wai 30-0 City
@ Tin Shui Wai, Kick-off: 14:00

SRC 0-20 DB Pirates
@ Tai Hang Tun, Kick-off: 16:30
DB Pirates: Meg McGrath, Jackie Philbrick Douglas, Catherine Osburn, Sienna Stubbs, Rebecca Tomasis, Gloria Lau, Oorja Goel, Louise Shepherd, Paula Andrea (Captain), Shannon Tjon Substitute: Kon Chan

CWB Pink 34-25 HK Scottish
@ Tai Hang Tun, Kick-off: 17:15

Photo: Panda Man

HK Cricket Match Reports: One-Day Premier League – 18 October, 2015

Two highly anticipated One-Day Premier League matches were played on Sunday 18 October, but both turned into low-scoring affairs as ball dominated bat.

HKCC v KCC KARP
At the Hong Kong Cricket Club, KCC KARP bowled themselves into the competition final by thumping hosts HKCC by nine wickets.

HKCC elected to bat first after winning the toss but they were soon on the back foot after losing opener Raag Kapur in the third over. Excellent bowling by the KCC opening attack of Najeeb Amar and Adil Mehmood tied down the HKCC top order, with Najeeb conceding just four runs in his first five overs, including four maidens. The pressure soon told and wickets started to fall as the HKCC batsmen got frustrated. Scott McKechnie was second to fall as he top-edged a pull shot off Adil Mehmood and Dan Pascoe took a stunning catch at deep mid-wicket after running back and diving full length to grab the ball just inches off the ground. Mehmood then trapped Isaac Poole LBW to leave HKCC in a hole at 3/15 in the 12th over. Worse was to follow for HKCC in the 14th over as Imran Arif grabbed the wickets of Nizakat Khan and George Clarke to leave them reeling at 5/28. Najeeb had Miles Richarson caught and bowled, Arif bowled Simon Cook and Dan Pascoe snared Courtney Kruger as HKCC wickets continued to tumble in the face of KCC’s determined attack. Giacomo Lamplough hit a couple of well-struck sixes but his was the last wicket to fall, LBW to Dan Pascoe, with the total on 82. Embarrassingly for HKCC, sundries were the top scorer with 18. For KCC, all the bowlers enjoyed success – Imran Arif was the most successful with 3/27 but none bettered Najeeb Amar who claimed 2/18 from ten frugal overs, with five maidens.

KCC’s reply started and finished before the scheduled lunch interval. Irfan Ahmed struck six fours and one six in his 27-ball 33 but he looked vulnerable to the short ball and was eventually bowled by Miles Richardson after bottom edging a pull shot onto this stumps. Ninad Shah struck three fours and a six to finish unbeaten on 29 as KCC wrapped up the match in just 14 overs.
At HKCC: HKCC 82 from 28.1 overs lost to KCC KARP 1/85 from 14 overs by nine wickets.

DLSWCC Prism v PACC
There was an equally one-side result at Mission Road where DLSWCC Prism thrashed PACC by seven wickets. As if mirroring the match at HKCC, PACC won the toss and elected to bat first but they too found themselves in deep trouble after slumping to 5/35 after 15 overs. Left-arm speedster Niaz Ali did the early damage, trapping Qasim Khan (0) and Skhawat Ali (1) lbw while having Ahsan Abbasi caught by Anas Kahn for 7. Tanwir Afzal scored 8 but his innings was cut short with Anas Khan taking his second catch, this time off Waqas Khan. Aizaz Khan (20) and Mohammad Ehtesham (30) stemmed the carnage with a 44-run partnership for the sixth wicket but the remaining wickets fell quickly once their pairing was broken. Ehsan Khan mopped up the middle and lower order batsmen with a spell of 4/20 from six overs as Pakistan Association capitulated for 94.

The DLSWCC Prism reply began brightly with Anas Khan hitting four boundaries in his 17-ball stay at the crease that contributed 18 runs. Jangzeb Khan (29) and Waqas Khan (17) also made useful contributions before Babar Hayat saw DLSWCC Prism home in the 23rd over with an unbeaten 28.
At Mission Road: PACC 94 from 31.1 overs lost to DLSWCC Prism 3/95 from 22.1 overs by seven wickets.

The outcome of the two matches determined the teams for the One-Day Premier League final. DLSWCC Prism will face KCC KARP in the grand final to be played at Mission Road on 31st October 2015 while HKCC and PACC will play in the 3rd/4th place play-off match on 25th October 2015.

HK Cricket Match Reports: Saturday 17 October, 2015

Saturday Championship Division 1
This season’s Saturday Championship Division 1 has been hotly contested with two ties and a number of very close finishes already seen in the first six rounds of the competition.

There was yet another nail-biter at HKCC last Saturday as HKCC Witherers claimed a dramatic win in the last over against PACC. PACC batted first after winning the toss and they recovered from 8/75 to score 163 all out, thanks to a bold 65 from Mohammad Saad. Witherers were pegged back in the early stages of their reply but they recovered from 3/11 to reach 4/121 with Toby Raper hitting 49 and Tim Whisker 43. But a flurry of wickets saw the hosts slump to 7/122 and then 8/136 as Mohammad Azam ran through the middle-order, claiming 3/29. The ninth wicket fell at 150 but the last pair held firm and Witherers got home with three balls to spare.
At HKCC: PACC 163 from 32.5 overs lost to HKCC Witherers 9/164 from 34.3 overs by one wicket.

CCC Jing Sun scored a 135-run victory over Centaurs at Mission Road with Kabir Sodhi hitting an unbeaten century. Sodhi scored 105 not out as CCC Jing Sun posted 3/234 from their 35 overs, with Mark Wright also hitting an unbeaten 62. The Sodhi/Wright partnership reaped 127 runs in an unbroken 4th wicket stand. The top was knocked off the Centaurs batting order and from 5/25 they never recovered. Ben Harris hit 53 and he was the last wicket to fall as Centaurs could only muster 7/99 from 34 overs, having been penalised one over by the umpires for slow bowling during their innings.
At Mission Road: CCC Jing Sun 3/234 from 35 overs beat Centaurs 7/99 from 34 overs by 135 runs.

At Kowloon Cricket Club, DLSWCC Sarjan beat KCC Crusaders by 29 runs. DSLWCC Sarjan’s openers got them off to a flyer with a century opening partnership between Hudugur Gururaj (38) and Mohammed Ibraheem (48). Waqas Khan then chipped in with 43 as DLSWCC Sarjan reached 6/190 from their 35 overs. Chirag Kothari was the pick of the Crusaders’ bowlers, grabbing 4/41 from his spell. In reply, Aditya Kanthan scored 39 but his was the best in a faltering effort that saw Crusaders dismissed for 161. Sarfaraz Khan did most of the damage for DLSWCC Sarjan, claiming 4/29 in six overs.
At KCC: DLSWCC Sarjan 6/190 from 35 overs beat KCC Crusaders 161 from 32.4 overs.

Saturday Championship Division 2

In the only Division 2 match of the day, Taipan CC accounted for Kai Tak CC by 103 runs. Taipans were sent into bat and they made merry to the tune of 5/270 from their 35 overs with Gurjinder Singh hitting 84, Romy Singh 36 and Manjinder Singh 55. Manjinder then claimed 3/27 as Kai Tak were restricted to 5/167 in reply, despite half-centuries from Tom Downey (64) and Peter Williams (58*).
At PKVR Park: Taipan CC 5/270 from 35 overs beat Kai Tak CC 5/167 from 35 overs by 103 runs.

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 17 October, 2015

Women’s Rugby Results – 10 October, 2015

Premiership
USRC Tigers 17-5 HKFC Ice
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00
Rose Fong’s match report
HKFC Ice: Denise Chan, Shonagh Ryan, Megan Richardson, Zuzanna Osinska, Martina Colombo, Jamie Bourk, Bobby Wilson, Daisy Miers, Sophie Short, Aileen Ryan, Stephanie Siu, Jane Cheung, Grace Hood, Casey Gallagher, Sarah McMillan
Substitutes: Kim Kan, Amy Kong, Aysha Fiaz, Carol Hung, Iris Chan, Audrey Lo, Rabbit Leung
Try: Sarah McMillan

Tai Po 0-14 Gai Wu Falcons
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 18:00

CWB Phoenix 22-5 Kowloon
@ So Kon Po, Kick-off: 18:00

National League 1
USRC Tigers 75-0 HKFC Fire
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 15:00

HK Scottish 12-10 HKCC
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 15:00
Robbo Robertson, Scottish perspective match report
Alex Tarleton’s HKCC Match report
HK Scottish Kukris: Rachel Wong, Tiffany Tse, Hoi-Tung Jim, Idy Chung, Robyn Beese, Taro Yau, Jenny Yung, Andie Ma, Hau-Yi Chung, Karis Cheung, Man-Ling Hui, Anna Kam, Sau-Yi Yumi Fan, Claire Hunter, Ket Robinson,
Substitutes: Francis Lo, Berky Kong, Wun-Lo Chung, Wun Scarlet Ma, Yuen-Ting Fung
Try: Man-Ling Hui (2), Conversion: Karis Cheung
HKCC Ladies: Carolyn Champion, Wawa Li, Joanna Harvey, Mhari McLoughlin, Nobuko Oda, Wendy Sham, Cheryl Gourley, Lynda Nazer, Ashley Brooks, Tinley Wong, Zoe Wong, Lucy Thomson, Tissia Polycarpe, Brenda Chan, Diana Li
Substitutes: Isabella Rivers, Elane Lau, Serene Yee, Hoi Yi Li, Christy Ma, Margaret Chan
Try: Tissia Polycarpe, Ashley Brooks

Tai Po Dragons 10-42 Valley Red
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 16:30
Adrienne Garvey’s match report
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

CWB Pheasants 5-29 City Sparkles
@ So Kon Po, Kick-off: 16:30

Police Sirens 5-0 Gai Wu Fawkes
@ Police Boundary Street, Kick-off: 18:00

Match Report: HK Scottish Kukris 12-10 HKCC Ladies

Game 2 of the new season saw HKCC Ladies visit the Rock to face a strong HK Scottish Kukris side. The preparation was solid, with both teams having good numbers and a comprehensive warm up. The weather was perfect before kick off, with whispers of ‘Winter is coming’ from John Snow on the sideline.

HKCC started in what now seems a typical slow fashion, having to defend their own line from a barrage of Scottish attack, in particular by Robyn Beese who used her power to good effect. However HKCC dug deep and showed passion and desire to keep the rampaging Scottish at bay.

After riding the wave of the first ten minutes, HKCC began to get into their flow and the backs started to make some breaks. 15 minutes passed and HKCC’s determination paid off with Sandy Bay graduate Tissia Polycarpe scoring her first Senior Rugby League try by breaking through the centres.

The first half was a tightly fought contest that seemed to consist of scrum after scrum, after scrum. But after taking part in a scrum session with Hong Kong Men’s Coach Andy Hall earlier in the week, the HKCC forwards were well equipped to fend off the domineering Scottish front row, which last season had out-scrummaged them.

At the end of an exciting first half that saw both teams desperately hungry for tries, HKCC held a 5-0 lead.

The second half saw more of the same: some excellent defending from both sides as well as great attacking patterns seemingly cancelling each other out.

With fatigue kicking in and some injuries occurring, both sides looked to make changes. HKCC looked tired and the excellent Scottish front row took advantage of this with some superb counter scrummaging as well as making great yards with ball in hand.

However in a strong counter attack, HKCC forwards drove the Scottish defence back and gained themselves a lot of ground and a crucial penalty. HKCC scrum-half Ashley Brooks pounced on the ball to take a quick tap and go but the referee shouted ‘play on’. Despite this call a confused defence and scrum-half Ashley ceased playing. After a moment of hesitation Ashley recovered and scored a well-earned try under the posts.

HKCC received the ball full of confidence from the restart and again began to use their patterns to good effect. Only to have the ball turned over in their own half, leading to the wrecking balls of the Scottish front row once again, who powered the ball up the field with great steam.

The Scottish attack was in full flow and it was only a matter of time before they were rewarded. This came moments later with a brief lapse from an otherwise impeccable defensive performance so far from HKCC, the Scottish attack capitalised and Man-Ling Hui scored to make it 10-5 with 10 minutes to go.

HKCC regrouped and believed they could hold the home team out to the final whistle, but knew it would be tough if they had to defend for the whole period. So from the kick off they pressured well to cause a turnover.

Time to see the game out!

HKCC got closer and closer to the Scottish line hoping to seal a third try and the game. Inch by inch HKCC could see the line like it was destiny in front of them. Only for destiny to throw a cruel spanner in the works. The excellent Scottish defence counter rucked on their own line allowing their fly-half to kick it clear. HKCC scrambled back in defence yet it was not enough. Out of nowhere and quick as a flash the Scottish speedster Man-Ling Hui collected the ball and effortlessly scored her second, a breakaway try from her own twenty-two, leveling the game at 10-10 with only time left for the conversion.

In what seemed like an eternity, the ball rose high from the Scottish kicker’s boot and flew between the sticks, sealing a dramatic 12-10 victory in the last second of the game.

One of the most entertaining women’s games I have seen in a long time and one that showcased the rise in standard of the second tier of Women’s rugby. Well done to Scottish on their hard fought victory, but HKCC took great pride in the display as they lost by 50 points to the same team at the end of last season. Saturday’s result showed the HKCC Ladies that if they continue to improve like they have since preseason, they will be in the mix for honours come the end of the season.

What a game!

HKCC Women of the Match – Nobuko Oda and Cheryl Gourley
HK Scottish – Has to be their Front Row.

Women NL1: HK Scottish Kukris 12-10 HKCC
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 15:00
HKCC Ladies: Carolyn Champion, Wawa Li, Joanna Harvey, Mhari McLoughlin, Nobuko Oda, Wendy Sham, Cheryl Gourley, Lynda Nazer, Ashley Brooks, Tinley Wong, Zoe Wong, Lucy Thomson, Tissia Polycarpe, Brenda Chan, Diana Li
Substitutes: Isabella Rivers, Elane Lau, Serene Yee, Hoi Yi Li, Christy Ma, Margaret Chan
Try: Tissia Polycarpe, Ashley Brooks

HK Scottish Kukris: Rachel Wong, Tiffany Tse, Hoi-Tung Jim, Idy Chung, Robyn Beese, Taro Yau, Jenny Yung, Andie Ma, Hau-Yi Chung, Karis Cheung, Man-Ling Hui, Anna Kam, Sau-Yi Yumi Fan, Claire Hunter, Ket Robinson
Substitutes: Francis Lo, Berky Kong, Wun-Lo Chung, Wun Scarlet Ma, Yuen-Ting Fung
Try: Man-Ling Hui (2), Conversion: Karis Cheung

HK Cricket Match Reports: One-Day Premier League – 11 October, 2015

Early morning rain delayed the start of all three Premier League matches but once play got underway, results were achieved without having to resort to Duckworth/Lewis calculations.

DLSWCC Prism v KCC KARP
There was an exciting finish at Kowloon Cricket Club where DLSWCC Prism stunned hosts KCC KARP by one wicket in a match reduced to 48-overs per side affair after a late start.

After winning the toss KCC KARP elected to bat first but they might have regretted that decision after losing both openers with only one run on the board. Run scoring proved difficult and Dan Pascoe’s 37 was the highest score for KCC as they were eventually dismissed for 153 in 46.3 overs. Ehsan Khan continued his good form with the ball as he picked up 3/37 from his nine over spell.

DLSWCC Prism’s innings also got off to a calamitous start and they were reduced to 3/4 inside five overs with Adil Mehmood picking up a brace. The middle order struggled and at 8/82, the game looked all but over for DLSWCC. But KCC hadn’t counted on Nadeem Ahmed and Niaz Ali who combined for a ninth wicket partnership of 71 runs. The pair batted brilliant to bring DLSWCC back into the game but they nearly threw it away when Niaz was run-out for 23 with the scores tied. Cool heads prevailed and DLSWCC got the final run needed for victory with Nadeem finishing unbeaten on 47.
At KCC (matched reduced to 48 overs per side): KCC KARP 153 from 46.3 overs lost to Diasqua LSWCC Prism 9/154 from 42.5 overs by one wicket.

HKCC v HKCA Under-19s
Over at Hong Kong Cricket Club, HKCC had little trouble with HKCA Under-19s with the hosts winning comfortably by 88 runs.

The early morning’s rain meant the match got off to a late start and both innings were reduced to 47 overs per side. HKCC batted first after winning the toss and they reached 9-271 from their 47 overs. Opener David Jacquier led the HKCC charge with a fine 91 from 106 balls while Nizakat Khan (52) and Courtney Kruger (44) also made telling contributions. Opening bowlers Tanveer Ahmed (3/35) and Waqas Khan (4/44) were the best for the HKCA Under-19s.

Raag Kapur contributed 36-runs at the top of the order for the HKCA Under-19s but he received little support as they slipped to 5/65 inside 16 overs. Awais Mohammad and Chris Cater got them to 100 but both batsmen fell in quick succession as the Under-19s slumped to 7/102. A rear-guard battle led by Ninad Shah moved the score on to 165 but Courtney Kruger’s introduction to the bowling crease saw the innings wrapped in quick order. Kruger grabbed the last three wickets to fall, including that of Shah who scored an attractive 50 from 62 balls, as the HKCA Under-19s were dismissed for 183 in the 43rd over.
At HKCC (match reduced to 47 overs per side): HKCC 9/271 from 47 overs beat HKCA Under-19s 183 from 42.5 overs by 88 runs.

Independents v PACC
In the third match of the day, PACC had an easy win over Independents at Mission Road.

Wet weather reduced the match to 44-overs per innings and when play finally got underway, the Independents batted first after winning the toss. However, it was the PACC opening bowlers that grabbed the early advantage as Aizaz Khan and Kamran Mohammad grabbed two wickets each to leave the Independents reeling at 4/31 in the 9th over. Mohsin Khan then picked three wickets to reduce the Independents to 8/68 after 25 overs. A battling run-a-ball 63 from Sikandar Zafar lifted Independents over the 100 mark and on to a final total 139 all out in 38.5 overs.

The PACC opening partnership between Daniyal Bukhari and Qasim Khan put on 90 runs in 19 overs, effectively ending the contest. Bukhari was the only PACC wicket to fall when he was caught and bowled by Asif Hussain for 53. Qasim (55*) and Saqib Khan (22*) combined in an unbroken 2nd wicket partnership of 50 runs to ease PACC to victory in the 32nd over.
At Mission Road (match reduced to 44 overs per side): Independents 139 from 38.5 overs lost to PACC 1/140 from 31.5 overs by nine wickets.