bc magazine

Women’s Super Series

This weekend marks the first matches in the new HKRU Women’s Super Series. The Series has been launched this season to provide an opportunity for performance players to compete in a domestic representative 15-a-side competition. The aim is to bridge the gap between Club and International rugby and to identify performance players for the future.

The Super Series sees the top 66 players from the Premiership clubs grouped into three representative sides. The sides will play each other on three weekends during the season. Each Premiership club coach is able to nominate six players for the competition; nominated players do not have to be qualified to play for Hong Kong and can still participate if they have played representative rugby in other countries. Each player will be assigned to one of the teams for the duration of the competition.

With performance top of mind, the teams will be coached by the HKRU Women’s Performance coaching team. This weekend’s Series kick-off features the Scorpions, coached by Chris Garvey, Hong Kong’s Assistant National Women’s XVs coach and the Vipers, coached by Hong Kong Rugby Union National Performance Coach (Development), Lai Yiu Pang. The third Super Series side will be coached by Hong Kong Women’s Sevens coach and former New Zealand Black Fern Anna Richards and Valley stalwart Dean Herewini.

The Scorpions and Vipers feature an assembly of top Hong Kong Women’s Rugby players including captain Colleen Tjosvold and vice captain Martini Ip for the Vipers, who also boast Adrienne Garvey and Hong Kong U20s captain Aileen Ryan, part of eight Hong Kong XVs caps in the squad.

Chow Mei Nam and Rebecca Thompson are the captain and vice captain of the Scorpions respectively, with Karen So and Melody Li strengthening the squad which features seven Hong Kong XVs players.

Scorpions v Vipers
@Kings Park, kick-off 10:30

HKRU Women’s Premiership Super Series Squads
Scorpions:
1. Shonagh RYAN, 2. SO Karen Hoi Ting, 3. LAU Nga Wun, 4. Melody LI, 5. CHENG Ching To, 6. Bobby WILSON, 7. LO Wai Yan, 8. CHOW Mei Nam (Captain), 9. LAU Tsz Ying, 10. CHEUNG Lok Tung, 11. CHAN Stephanie Chor Ki, 12. Rebecca THOMPSON (Vice-Captain), 13. CHAU Hei Tung, 14. Tina CHIU, 15. LEE For Wing, 16. PONG Shun Sze, 17. LAI Ming Yan, 18. LAM Ka Wai, 19. TSANG Sharon Shin Yuen, 20. LI Man Yi, 21. HAU Kwan Yi.

Vipers:
1. YIP ho Kwan, 2. SIU Wing Ni, 3. LEE Ka Shun, 4 CHAN Ka Yan, 5. AU YEUNG Tsz Lam, 6. CHEUNG Shuk Han, 7. LEUNG Wing Yi Vincci, 8. Martini IP (Vice-Captain), 9. CHAN Wing Yi, 10. Aileen RYAN, 11. TSANG Wing Chi, 12. Colleen TJOSVOLD (Captain), 13. Laurel FUNG Chor Lik, 14. LAU Sze Wa, 15. Adrienne GARVEY, 16. Megan RICHARDSON, 17. LEUNG Hei Nga, 18 LI Lei Man, 19. Daisy MYERS, 20. PUN Wai Yan, 21. Emma SHIELDS.

Source: HKRU

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 31 October, 2015

Women’s Rugby Results – 24 October, 2015

Premiership
Kowloon 0-69 Gai Wu Falcons
@ So Kon Po, Kick-off: 16:30
HKFC Ice 0-51 Valley Black
@ HK Football Club, Kick-off: 18:00
CWB Phoenix 16-7 Tai Po
@ So Kon Po, Kick-off: 18:00

National League 1
HK Scottish 7-14 Gai Wu Fawkes
@ So Kon Po, Kick-off: 15:00
HKCC 5-29 City
@ Tai Hang Tun, Kick-off: 16:30
HKCC: Joanna Harvey, Joan Yip, Nobuko Oda, Lauren Petersen, Isabella Rivers, Wendy Sham, Cheryl Gourley, Lynda Nazer, Emma Chung, Tinley Wong, Yana Dimitrova, Lucy Thomson, Tissia Polycarpe, Zoe Wong, Diana Li
Substitues: Kassie Chapel, Katie Rowbottom, Wawa Li, Angie Ng, Charlotte Berry, Christy Ma, Elane Lau, Hoi Yi Li, Lainie Man
Try: Yana Dimitrova
HKFC Fire v Valley Red
@ HK Football Club, Kick-off: 16:30
SRC 0-17 USRC Tigers
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00
Police 27-0 Tai Po Dragons
@ Police Boundary Street, Kick-off: 18:00

Photo: Panda Man

Match Report: HKCC 5-29 City – 24 October, 2015

Round 4 concluded an emotional week for HKCC with the passing of player Tom Nelson and with only 1 victory the HKCC Ladies knew they needed to play their best to win against an undefeated City.

After a minute silence HKCC Ladies kicked off and the ball bounced along the dusty pitch straight into the possession of City, who didn’t waste any time before launching an attack. City drew in the HKCC forwards before passing it out wide to the backs. The City fullback danced her way through the defence and quickly popped it off to the winger who comfortably ran round HKCC’s fullback and placed the ball under the posts. The try was easily converted and within minutes of starting City had set the precedent for the rest of the half.

Another HKCC kick off and much to their dismay similar phases took place with the City backs tearing through the HKCC defence and scoring another try. HKCC picked themselves up and kicked back into the City half. After some hard hitting tackles and scrapping in clouds of dust, HKCC won the ball and began their first serious attack of the game. Yet after too few phases HKCC again lost possession and with a big boot City cleared their lines, putting the HKCC fullback under pressure.

City mercilessly pummeled the HKCC defence and it was not long before another breakthrough ensued. This time much to HKCC’s relief, excellent pressure from scrumhalf Emma Chung led to City knocking the ball on over the try line. HKCC were awarded a scrum which led to a good pick up and hand off from number 8 Lynda Nazer, gaining much needed ground. Nevertheless momentum dropped, City regained possession and once again relied on their backs to successfully score a try in the far right corner.

HKCC kicked off and charged into the City half ready to wrestle for possession. After some phases of play with HKCC absorbing the hits, Comvita booted the ball to clear the lines, but this time the ball was effortlessly picked up by Tissia Polycarpe who ran it out of her own half. The HKCC scrums were working well and turned the ball over more than once yet it was not enough to get HKCC points on the board. City struck twice again before the half time whistle blew, ending the half at 29-0.

After motivational words from coach Alex Tarleton and a reassessment of the game, the HKCC Ladies knew they could do better and were eager to demonstrate this.

City kicked off giving HKCC possession and a chance to attack. With new energy and some strong running, particularly from second row Lauren Petersen who needed at least two City players tackling her to be tamed, HKCC clawed their way up the pitch. Before long and for the first time in the match, HKCC had City pinned against their own try line. Foul play from Comvita led to two yellow cards, something that HKCC were happy to take advantage of. A penalty gave HKCC forwards the ball but unable to break through they passed it out wide to the backs. Winger Yana Dimitrova took this opportunity and skillfully scored a HKCC try in the far right corner.

HKCC received the kick and attempted to move up into the City half but the two teams seemed stuck in a stalemate, tirelessly fighting back and forth but neither giving ground. The fulltime whistle blew leaving the result at 29-5.

Contrary to their usual solid defence, the first half consisted of too many missed tackles and sloppy defending from HKCC, which City’s fast paced backs confidently exploited. The second half however was a completely different game, with HKCC keeping City’s attack at bay and working tirelessly to gain a well-earned 5 points, the only points scored in the second half. The HKCC Ladies look forward to proving themselves in the upcoming fixture against Tai Po Dragons.

HKCC Ladies
Forward of the Match: Joan Yip
Back of the Match: Tissia Polycarpe

HKCC 5-29. Comvita City
HKCC: Joanna Harvey, Joan Yip, Nobuko Oda, Lauren Petersen, Isabella Rivers, Wendy Sham, Cheryl Gourley, Lynda Nazer, Emma Chung, Tinley Wong, Yana Dimitrova, Lucy Thomson, Tissia Polycarpe, Zoe Wong, Diana Li
Substitues: Kassie Chapel, Katie Rowbottom, Wawa Li, Angie Ng, Charlotte Berry, Christy Ma, Elane Lau, Hoi Yi Li, Lainie Man
Try: Yana Dimitrova

Premiership Match Report: HKFC Ice 0-51 Valley Black – 24 October, 2015

It was a highly anticipated game on Saturday for HKFC Ice, as they took on defending champions Valley Black. Near perfect weather conditions and a home advantage were unable to settle those nerves, and Valley showed they meant business with a try in the second minute of the game. A great run by Valley resulted in another try and HKFC Ice knew they were going to have to put up a big fight. Strong scrummaging and some formidable tackles by Grace Hood and Jamie Bourk were not enough to hold off their dynamic opponents, resulting in two further tries. With minutes to go until half time, Aileen Ryan was yellow carded for a deliberate offside after a 22 drop out and it wasn’t looking good for the home team.

As the second half kicked off, it was still a battle between the pros and the newly promoted Ice. Despite several dropped passes, Valley scored once again leaving HKFC Ice well behind. With Aileen Ryan back on, HKFC Ice displayed some strong defensive moves, and tackles by Nicole Pang and Aysha Fiaz managed to slow down the rampant Valley Black attack. There were three more tries from Valley and then it was all over. HKFC Ice put up a valiant fight against the seasoned Valley Black and will surely use this experience to come back stronger than ever. Coach David Wigley said that he was proud of the performance that HKFC Ice put in against the defending Premiership champions Valley Black.

HKFC Ice 0-51 Valley Black
@ HK Football Club, Kick-off: 18:00
HKFC Ice: Denise Chan, Shonagh Ryan, Kim Kan, Zuzanna Osinska, Martina Colombo, Jamie Bourk, Iris Chan, Daisy Miers, Sophie Short, Aileen Ryan, Casey Gallagher, Nicole Pang, Grace Hood, Natalia Lech, Emma Shields
Substitutes: Carol Hung, Amy Kong, Aysha Fiaz, Madeline Adcock, Kim Lam, Stephanie Siu, Caroline Lau

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 24 October, 2015

Match Report: Valley Red 17-10 HKCC – 17 October, 2015

Week 3 saw HKCC travel to Happy Valley to play the undefeated Valley Red Ladies. HKCC were eager to get back on the pitch and brush off the frustrations of the previous week’s last second defeat to HK Scottish.

Straight from the kick off HKCC pushed up into the Valley twenty-two putting the Red’s defence under heavy pressure. Valley managed to keep calm and were able to clear their lines well. The first half saw both sides creating good opportunities in the backs and strong rucking and scrummaging from both forward packs.

In a closely contested first half HKCC seemed to be on the front foot with their line-out improving vastly from previous weeks and their scrum looking increasingly confident. Hard work from the forwards led to good clean ball for the backs and Izzy Rivers, (switching from second row to centre this week) took advantage, crashing through the Reds defence and scoring the first try of the match. Unable to convert HKCC went into the closing minutes of the half 5-0 up. Yet shortly after Valley retaliated, with their excellent centre breaking through HKCC defence, leveling the game, 5-5 at the halftime break.

The second half saw a fantastic battle between both sides, with each attack being held at bay by the opposition’s solid defence. HKCC showed some great structure, whilst Valley showed a wide range of skills, particularly from the centre, whose huge boot eased the pressure off Valley on a number of occasions.

HKCC’s scrum continued to dominate in the second half and the cracks in the Valley’s defence started to show. HKCC pieced at least 10 phases together and with superb work, particularly from the back-row, Lynda Nazer crashed over the line, to score a well-deserved second try.

Leading in to the final 15, after putting in a great shift on attack HKCC began to tire and Valley took the opportunity to creep up the field. After a clever chip and chase from the ever-present Valley centre, try scorer Nazer held the player back leading to a Red’s penalty and a yellow card shown. Valley used the extra woman to their advantage, charging through the HKCC line to level the score at 10 all.

Similar to last week’s match, HKCC were able to come out with points against one of the favourites for the league but for a second time in a row were unable to secure a victory. In the closing seconds of the game, having used the forwards to work their way up the pitch, Valley quickly spread it out to the backs who confidently scored a try under the posts. The conversion flew over and the referee blew the whistle for full time.

Both teams came off the pitch knowing they had been in a battle, Valley went and celebrated a well earned win while HKCC sat somber and reflected once again on what could of been.

But after the tears had stopped and some wise words from the coach (if I do say so myself) the HKCC Ladies picked themselves up and realised again what an achievement it was. Even missing out in the closing stages it showed again that HKCC are no pushovers and will be fighting to secure better results in the upcoming weeks.

Only 3 games in and so far it has been a roller coaster. Bring on next week!

Women of the Match:
HKCC: Lauren Petersen
Valley: Kicking Centre (Unsure of her name)

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

Photo: Panda Man

Match Report: Valley Black 54-5 Kowloon – 17 October, 2015

After a bye last week, the Valley Black Ladies were eager to get back on the pitch at KGV and were looking for their second win of the season against Kowloon.

It was a strong game for Valley right from the start, with ten tries coming in from all over the park. Bella (4), Karen (2), Jen, Deena, Jess, Jaz and Frenchie all got over the line for Valley. Kowloon struggled to compete with our forwards in scrums and lineouts, which gave Valley playmakers Bella and Colleen plenty of opportunity to create some plays.

Deserved MVPs Becky and Jess displayed strong athleticism, challenging the Kowloon ladies in both attack and defence throughout the entire 80-minutes. It was a solid win from the ladies, and a great platform to build from for the rest of the season.

Valley Black Ladies are looking forward to the challenge of playing against a strong HKFC side this coming Saturday, 6pm at the Football Club.