“Playing Scottish in this weather is just like being at Murrayfield,” said the man from Discovery Bay. “Yeah, but without the Bovril,” was the dour reply from the Scottish supporter, as he sought warmth on the concrete seats of Shek Kip Mei Stadium. At least it wasn’t raining. With both teams in the lower half of the 10s League an evenly contested match was expected. And for once both teams has reserves, even if some had come straight from a 7s competition at Sandy Bay.
The Sekongers kicked-off, Andrea caught the ball for Pirates, ran to the try line and scored. Simple. It was too far for the conversion, but 5-0 to DB Pirates. The HK Sekongers fought back and twice Hui Man-ling, the speedy winger, forgot her inability to catch and scored under the posts. Karis Cheng converted. 14-5 to HK Sekongers.
However, DB Pirates replied with a try in the corner. Again too far for the conversion, but at 14-10, the game was evenly balanced. Alas for the Pirates not. Neon Chau scored a try for HKS Sekongers, followed by Fong Siu-yau, and two more by Hui Man-ling. Karis managed two of the conversion. Halftime score 38/10 to HK Sekongers.
Halftime, so often a speed bump in HKS fortunes this season, proved to be a mere water break as they continued their onslaught. Andie Ma scored the next try, with Karis Cheng converting. Then Karis scored and converted a try herself. Followed by Li Sze-ting (Try); Hui Man-ling (Fifth Try); Karis Cheng (Conversion); and Li Sze-ting (Second Try); 69-10 for HKS Sekongers.
With the game approaching fulltime, the Sekongers, who had until then played well, suddenly became error prone. Chan Po-ki dived for the try line, only to be taken down by the Pirates defence and knocked-on. In fairness to Pirates they had not given up, in spite of the score. As the referee announced, “Last play,” and set the scrum, Pirates were determined to get one more try. But the Sekongers seemed only interested in increasing their penalty count. Penalty after penalty, 10 meter after 10 meter, the Sekongers went back. The Pirates were now in the Sekongers half and deserved to score. But luck was with the Sekongers. Somehow Pirates lost possession. Once again the ball was passed to Hui Man-ling, who outran the defence, scored her sixth try under the posts, which Karis Cheng converted in the 25th minutes of the twenty minutes half.
The full-time score HKS Sekongers 76-10 DB Pirates was not a fair reflection on the Pirates who fought hard and never gave up.
DB Pirates Player of the Match – Andrea.
HK Scottish Sekongers Player of the Match – Hui Man-ling.
DB Pirates 76-10 HK Scottish Kukris
@ Shek Kip Mei, Kick-off: 15:00
HKS Sekongers: Anna Kam, Po-Ki Chan, Tung-Hoi Jim, Scarlet Ma Wan, Neon Chau, Sze-Ying Li, Karis Cheng, Andie Ma, Siu-Yau Fong, Man-Ling Hui
Tries: Man-Ling Hui (6), Sze-Ying Li (2), Neon Chau, Karis Cheng, Andie Ma, Siu-Yau Fong
Conversions: Karis Cheng (8)
Photos: Rabbit in Black
“Mariko Hill will no doubt open the bowling and bat in the top four. Her pace is as quick as anyone’s in associate women’s cricket. It will be great to see if she can develop her bowling at an end of an innings also.” said Director of Cricket and Women’s Head Coach Charlie Burke.
But 259 looked a far more intimidating total after Tanwir removed Scotland’s key duo Kyle Coetzer (6) and Matthew Machan (0) in consecutive balls. Spinner Nadeem Ahmed cleaned up the lower order, taking 4-26 off his 8.1 overs. Callum McLeod played a lone hand for the Scots, making 58 off 78 balls.
