Valley Black 92-0 City Sparkle @ Shek Kip Mei – 21 October, 2017

Valley Black thrashed a hardworking City Sparkle 92-0 in the finale of the Women’s Premiership Super Saturday at Shek Kip Mei. Valley unbeaten in three seasons were on the front foot from the first minute pressing City deep in their own half creating a turnover at the ruck before spreading the ball wide to Rebecca Thompson to touch down, 5-0.

Three minutes later after another turnover Valley’s backline, which was in fine form through out the game, kept the ball alive before setting up Aroha Savage for the Black’s second try, which Zoe Smith converted, 12-0. City kicked the restart deep, but Smith collected the kick cleanly, turned on the afterburners and sprinted 70m before offloading to Jessica Eden to score in the corner, 17-0 after 12 minutes.

A strong run from City’s Wong Ka Ching sees the Sparkle in the Valley half for the first time as the their forwards work the ball before a turnover sees the Black backline again work the ball wide and City have no answer to Eden’s speed as scores her second try in five minutes, 22-0.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Valley-Black-v-City-Sparkle-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-4gQ4XTk

City are working and tackling hard, but a forward pass inside their own 5m line gives the Valley a scrum. And the forwards respond with a strong surge that allows Savage to pick up and score her second of the game, 27-0.

Stephanie Cuvelier makes a beautiful line-break in the middle of the pitch before spreading the ball wide to give Karen So the easiest of finishes, which Smith converts, 34-0. Again straight from the City restart Valley pounce with Amelie Seure running 70m for her first try to of the game, 39-0.

As the half draws to a close City look to exert some pressure, but another error gives Valley player/coach Bella Milo the ball inside her own 22. The City defence force her to run across the pitch initially but eventually she spots a gap turns upfield and as the cover comes across offloads to Seure who touches down in the far corner on 36 minutes, 44-0.

City despite being down 44-0 at the half are playing well as a team and tackling hard. Valley though are purring, their backs handling, passing and offloads are slick and with the forwards working hard and drawing in the City defence there’s space and overlaps out wide which means tries…

The second half sees a rampant Black side repeatedly cut through the City defence. Seure completes her hat-trick early in the second half which Smith converts, 51-0. Eden hers a few minutes later – despite a poor pass from Kelsie Bouttle – 56-0. Cuvelier scores her first and Valley’s eleventh 66-0. Before Rebecca Thompson adds a twelfth, 66-0. Smith converts that before scoring one of her own with a run from deep in her own half 73-0.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Valley-Black-v-City-Sparkle-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-T6wrkL9

There’s a lot of sparkle in this City team, and they’re working hard deep in the Valley 22 looking for their first points only to see Cuvelier intercept the ball and sprint 80m for her second try of the match which Smith converts, 80-0. Smith again makes a fine run down the line before passing inside to Jade Birkby, 85-0.

It’s left for the Valleys forwards, whose hard work throughout the game has created so much space for their backline, to have the final word as Milo touches down after strong work from the pack, Smith converts, 92-0.

A rampant Valley Black turn their best performance of the season into a massive victory as Assistant Coach Ra commented “It’s lovely to see all those things we practice so hard on in training work on the pitch”.

City Sparkle
張天兒 Cheung Tin Yee, 張天兒 Cheung Tin Yee, 謝詠翹 Tse Wing Kiu, 劉芷瑩 Lau Tsz Ying, 王麗麗 Wong Lai Lai, 謝嘉汶 Tse Kar Man Hilary, 鄭文琼 Cheng Man King, 林珮恩 Lam Pui Yan, 符詩宇 Fu Sze Yu, 吳雋怡 Ng Chun Yi Annie, 黃愉廷 Wong Yu Ting, 張凱瑩 Cheung Hoi Ying, 吳筱菁 Wu Hsiao Ching, 吳汝夢 Wu Rumeng, 李綺芯 Lee Yee Sum
Reserve: 盧丹彤 Lo Tan Tung, 徐樂怡 Tsui Lok Yi, 馮子穎 Fung Tsz Wing, 丘佩燕 Yau Pui Yin, 彭曉藍 Pang Hiu, Lam Mila, 區舒韻 Au Shu Wan, 黃嘉程 Wong Ka Ching

Valley Black
Akanisi Au Yeung, Li Lai Mang, Becky, Wing Yan Leung, Ching To Cheng, Deena Ravi Thinakaran, Karen So, Amelie Seure, Aroha Savage, Shan Shan Sandra Pong, Bella Milo, Stephanie Cuvelier, Rebecca Thompson, Kelsie Bouttle, Jessica Eden, Zoe Smith
Reserve: KK Wong, Riva Brill, Caitlin Spencer, Jade Birkby, Laurel Chor, Nadia Cuvilier
Tries: Amelie Seure (3) Jessica Eden (3), Rebecca Thompson (2) Aroha Savage (2), Stephanie Cuvelier (2), Karen So, Zoe Smith, Bella Milo, Jade Birkby
Conversions: Zoe Smith (6)

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Valley-Black-v-City-Sparkle-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-DNM6MDD

星期六是畢馬威女子欖球超級聯賽的”超級星期六”,賽事在石硤尾運動場舉行。法興銀行華利女子欖球會(華利)大敗康維他城市星光隊(城市欖球會)。

華利的三季不敗戰績已在比賽的數分鐘內表露無遺。城市欖球會被困在自己的半場內,一個遠傳球給Rebecca Thompson,順利達陣,5比0。三分鐘後,華利後防再次進攻,Aroha Savaga衝破防線,再次達陣,Zoe Smith踢入,12比0。現轉為城市欖球會開踢,Smith利落地把球接到,直跑70米並傳球給Jessica Eden達陣,17比0。此時,比賽才進行了12分鐘。

城市欖球隊的黃嘉程看到了反攻機會,擁球進入半場內。可惜遭到攔截,球輸給了華利。他們再次用遠傳策略,加上Eden的速度,他再次達陣,22比0。城市欖球隊雖努力防守和攔截,但還是給強勢的華利在此成功達陣,27比0。

Stephanie Cuvelier 進行了一次漂亮的進攻,在中場衝破了城市欖球隊的防守線,給Karen So製造了一個輕鬆的達陣,再由Smith踢入,34比0。城市欖球隊再次開踢,被Amelie Seure攔截,直奔底線70米,成功取得今場個人第一個達陣,39比0。

上半場完場前,城市欖球隊增加進攻壓力,可惜出現錯誤,再次給予華利機會,教練兼球員Bella Milo雖被逼持球跑到場邊,但還是看準了機會把球傳給Seure場角再次,達陣44比0。

城市欖球隊雖在上半場落後44分,但他們很有團隊精神,而且奮力攔截。華利有非常好的傳球和接球技術,加上順暢的後衛,穩妥的前鋒,如虎添翼。

下半場華利不斷衝破城市欖球隊的防線,Seure, Eden, Cuvelier, Rebecca Thompson and Smith均有入球,加上入球合的踢入,73比0。

城市欖球隊看準了機會,攻入華利的22米線內,但給Cuvelier截取了球並帶球跑了80米達陣,Smith踢入,80比0。最後兩個入球是由Smith傳給Jade Birkby和華利前鋒給Milo製造空間,均由Smith踢入, 92比0。

助理教練Ra在賽後言到:「我非常欣慰看到球員能把練習場上的技術用在真正的比賽場上。」

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Valley-Black-v-City-Sparkle-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-GSTHL5G

images: bc magazine, hkru

Gai Wu Falcons 44-5 CWB Phoenix @ Shek Kip Mei – 21 October, 2017

In the third game of Women’s Premiership Super Saturday the unbeaten Gai Wu Falcons take on CWB Phoenix who have started the season strongly.

Early on it’s Gai Wu making the play deep in the CWB half but the final passes aren’t sticking and some organised defence is keeping the Falcons out. Lau Nga Wu though finishes off a strong move to score the game’s first try after 5 minutes which Tsz Ting Lee converts. Two minutes later it’s Lee herself breaking clear deep in her own half and running almost 70m for the Falcons second try, 12-0.

CWB are pressing Gai Wu deep in their own half and working through the phases only to be penalised as they looked likely to score. A quickly taken penalty and a long pass wide out to winger Abigail Chan who run 70m for the Falcons third try inside 15 minutes, 17-0.

The Falcons are not yet as ruthless as Valley in racking up the points and a combination of handling errors and solid rugby allow CWB to exert some pressure inside the Falcons 22. A high tackle gives Phoenix another chance, but they can’t take advantage against some solid defence.

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Gai Wu’s scrum is working well and the forwards are helping the backline spread CWB from left to right as the Falcons look for a fourth try before half-time. A scrum on the 22 almost yields it, and on the second attempt it’s Chan again who scores in the corner, 22-0.

The Falcons almost add a fifth as they win a scrum against the head on the halfway line and the backs look certain to score but See Wai June Au puts in a superb tackle that saves a certain 5 points as the whistle goes to leave the score 22-0 at half-time.

The Phoenix defence holds firm at the start of the second half as the Falcons work to extend their lead. Moving the ball from right to left Gai Wu looks again to stretch the defence and finally there’s an overlap for Lo Pui Shan to scamper in unopposed for a fifth try, 27-0. Two minutes later another slick backline move releases Ka Yan Chong who runs 50m to score, 32-0.

Off the deep restart CWB have Gai Wu throwing tackling hard to dampen the Phoenix’s flames. But the CWB forwards are being careful of the ball. Working the phases and finally a lovely pass releases Lam Kai Wai and CWB are on the scoreboard, 32-5.

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Gai Wu kick the restart deep, but the try has visible lifted CWB who are quicker to the ball and looking to work their way out of their own 22. A knock-on gives the Falcons an attacking platform infront of the posts and the forwards take advantage. A strong scrum has CWB going backwards and it’s easy for Ka Shun Lee to score close to the posts, 37-5.

CWB look to finish the game strongly and a beautiful one arm take sees Wong Man Yan break the Falcons line. Solid support has the Falcons pushed back and only some solid tackling is keeping Phoenix out. CWB though turn over the ball and three passes later it’s in Chong’s hands and the winger races 80m for a simple try which Poon Pak Yan converts, 44-5.

The Phoenix though are not finished and Gai Wu spend the last part of the game defending close to their line, the pressure getting to the defence with Chan Ka Yan receiving a yellow card for a high tackle. A solid team win for the Gai Wu Falcons 44-5 against an improving CWB Phoenix.

CWB Phoenix
Tsang Siu Ching, Tin Yan, Dora Chim, T Chin Po Po, Chan Yan Yi, Hau Yan, Tina Ho, Sin Man Ng, Tsang Ching Man, Ka Ling Martini Ip, Au To, Kwok ‘Dira’ Yuk Lin, Chan Po Tung, Kong ‘Koko’ Yin Ting, Chan Ka Wai, Lam Ka Wai, See Wai June Au,
Reserve: Kwan Ki Chan, Wong Man Yan, Ka Ki Cheung, Li Man Yi, Ng Wing Yee, Wong Sze Man
Tries: Lam Kai Wai

Gai Wu Falcons
Ka Shun Lee, Ka Wai Lam, Debby, Tammy Lau, Ka Yin Wong, Sharon Shin Yuen Tsang, Hiu Ki Yip, Yee Ching Chan, Yan Chan, Suet Ying Wong, Tsz Ting Lee, Lo ‘Maxson’ Pui Shan, Hoi Lam Ho (C), Wing See Chiu, Pak Yan Poon, Abigail Chan
Reserve: Cherry Ng Ki Sum Ball, Wai Yan Pun, Kayan Chong, Lai Pui Shan, Tsz Yung Ching
Tries: Ka Shun Lee, Ka Yan Chong (2), Lau Nga Wu, Tsz Ting Lee, Abigail Chan (2), Lo Pui Shan,
Conversions: Tsz Ting Lee, Poon Pak Yan

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Gai-Wu-Falcons-v-CWB-Phoenix-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-j8MvmgX

畢馬威女子欖球超級聯賽”超級星期六”的第三場賽事,由未敗一場的CPM 雞糊鷹隊(雞糊)對SCAA第一太平銅鑼灣鳳凰欖球會(鳳凰)。比賽初段,雞糊在鳳凰的半場內作戰。由劉雅媛首個達陣,並由李紫晴踢入。兩分鐘後,李紫晴衝破防守線,持球70米達陣,12比0。

鳳凰把雞糊壓在自己的半場內,可惜不小心犯規,令邊防球員陳柏鈴直跑70米,為雞糊得到第三個入球,17比0。

相比起華利,雞糊還是有很多持球和控球的錯誤犯規,這給予鳳凰很多反擊的機會。在雞糊的22米線,一個過高的危險攔截,鳳凰的反攻機會來了,可惜還是敵不過雞糊緊密的防守,機會錯失。

雞糊爭球方面做得非常好, 陳柏鈴為雞糊在上半場完場前取得了第四個入球,22比0。本來雞糊在再次爭球成功後可以再有一個入球,但被See Wai June Au漂亮的攔截,為鳳凰解除了入球的危機。

下半場,鳳凰努力防守。雞糊把球由右邊一路傳到左邊,尋找進攻機會,最後由羅佩珊看到兩人重疊,衝出達陣,27比0。兩分鐘後,同一戰術,莊嘉欣持球50米達陣,32比0。

鳳凰開球,雞糊奮力攔截,但前鋒們努力護着球前進,看到機會,傳球給林嘉慧, 鳳凰隊第一個入球,32比5。

雞糊開球,大腳踢入鳳凰22米線,鳳凰努力前進,可惜持球失誤,加上爭球失敗,李嘉萓近距離達陣, 37比5。

鳳凰努力反攻,Wong Man Yan衝破防線,可惜不敵攔截,最後由邊防球員直跑80米達陣,潘柏茵 踢入,44比5。

鳳凰雖然落後,但從不放棄。最後15分鐘,鳳凰仍然把雞糊壓迫在他們的22米內,壓力令Ka Yan Chan犯規,首個黃牌。完場44比5。

Gai Wu

1. 劉雅媛, 2. 林嘉慧, 3. 李嘉萓, 4. 黃家妍, 5. 曾善茵, 6. 葉曉琪, 7. 陳以靜, 8. 陳嘉欣, 9. 王雪盈, 10. 李紫晴, 11. 潘柏茵, 12. 何凱琳, 13. 趙穎思, 14. 羅佩珊, 15. 陳柏鈴
Reserve: 16. 潘慧欣, 17. 吳其芯, 18. 程子容 , 19. 黎珮珊, 20. 莊嘉欣

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Gai-Wu-Falcons-v-CWB-Phoenix-Shek-Kip-Mei-21-October-2017/i-mB4BHsM

Images: bc magazine, hkru

Women’s Premiership Super Saturday @ Shek Kip Mei

Unbeaten Valley Black will look to shake off the rust after the bye week when they take on City Sparkle in the finale of the first Women’s Premiership Super Saturday of the season.

The Valley – City clash will be preceded by Kowloon versus HKFC Ice (13:30), Tai Po Dragons versus USRC Tigers (15:00) and CWB Phoenix versus Gai Wu Falcons (16:30) in a showcase of women’s rugby at Sheki Kip Mei.

Despite the top versus bottom of the table match-up, Valley coach Bella Milo is taking nothing for granted as she puts her charges back to work in the women’s premiership.

“Coming back after the break we need to get a few things right,” said Milo. “Against Causeway Bay we struggled with some of our plays. Our handling and our combinations were not going right, so we’ll be using this game to get those set as we’ve got a big game next week [against HKFC].”

Milo’s estimation of struggling in last round’s 58-0 win over Causeway Bay demonstrates the relentless attitude that has seen Valley run the table for three seasons running – and that fiercely competitive approach will be on display against City.

“We’ll put out our strongest squad, based on their performance in training,” Milo confirmed. “There will be places for one or two newer players to replace a couple of injuries and we are pleased to have “Frenchie” [Amelie Seure] back from sevens duty. I want to use this game to get a better gauge of the players.”

Valley currently top the table on 15 points while fellow undefeated side Gai Wu Falcons are a point off the pace in second, and four points ahead of Tigers. The Falcons will play fourth-ranked Causeway Bay, whose scoring has been prolific this season but who have let themselves down in defence, scoring 79 points but conceding 76.

The Tigers can leap up the table if they can dispatch sixth-ranked Tai Po Dragons but with Valley and Falcons playing in what are potentially mismatches they may find themselves treading water in third place come Sunday.

Kowloon will be hoping that their offense can fire after a series of close-run affairs, as they hunt for their first win of the season against Football Club after scoring just 10 points across the opening three matches.

Entry is Free! There are also Women’s National League 1 and 1 games taking place. Support women’s rugby!

Additional reporting: hkru
Images: Takumi Photography

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 21 October, 2017

Women’s Rugby Results – 14 October, 2017

National League 1

Valley Red 31-21 USRC Tigers
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 16:30

HK Scottish Kukris 22-5 Tai Po Dragons
@ HKIED Kick-off: 18:00

Gai Wu Fawkes 77-0 HKCC
@ King’s Park, Kick-off: 18:00

National League 2

Gai Wu Hawks 0-39 HKFC Fire
@ KG V, Kick-off: 16:30

University 10-37 Tin Shui Wai
@ Sandy Bay, Kick-off: 16:30

Kowloon 24-10 Police Sirens
@ Police Boundary Street, Kick-off: 18:00

CWB Lammergeier 36-0 City
@ Happy Valley, Kick-off: 18:00

Images: Takumi Photography

Hong Kong Women Fifth in Sri Lanka Sevens

Hong Kong’s women finished the Sri Lanka leg of Asia Rugby Sevens in fifth, going down to Thailand 12-7 in the Cup quarter-finals, however they held on to fourth place overall in the series.

The game against Thailand could have gone either way and while she was disappointed her side couldn’t again win through to the top four, coach Anna Richards was realistic about the result.

“The whole weekend has been a bit of leveller with the mud, there has been a lot of close games and I think Thailand have played pretty well across the two series,” she said.

“We just made too many errors and we just turned the ball over a bit too much. I think the girls have just got to get a little bit better at staying calm and being able to maintain their focus and skills in the big games.”

Hong Kong led 7-5 through a converted try to Chong Ka-yan but just couldn’t hang on, with Richards praising the efforts of the speedy winger. “I thought she played really well, the conditions didn’t really suit her but she came up trumps with a couple of really good tries for us,” Richards said.

Colleen Tjosvold ran in three tries as Hong Kong defeated South Korea 29-0 in the plate semi-final, with Ivy Kwong Sau-yan and debutant Vivien Poon Hoi-yan also scoring.

Hong Kong hung on to see off Sri Lanka 12-5 in the plate final thanks to two more tries to Chong.

As well as Poon, Jessica Ho Wai-on and Agnes Chan Tsz-ching were also on debut and Richards was pleased with her new blood as she looks ahead to tournaments in Fiji and Borneo early next year in the lead up to the World Series qualifier in Hong Kong.

“It was just about introducing them to tournament pressure,” Richards said. “I thought Agnes did really well, Vivien had a couple of good games today. Jess didn’t get too much game time but what she did do, she did well. I think it was a good introduction for the three of them.

“They have got next week off and then we are just going to throw them back in the gym, they have had a pretty tough year and it will just be about building them back up and getting their bodies right.”

Additional reporting/images: hkru

Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Sri Lanka

Hong Kong’s men and women enter the final round of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Sri Lanka needing strong performances to qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens.

A new-look women’s side featuring four changes will take on Japan, Sri Lanka and South Korea in pool play.

Debutants Jessica Ho Wai-on, Agnes Chan Tsz-ching and Poon Hoi-yan all come in to the side, as well as the returning Sham Wai-sum, replacing Au Yeung Sin-yi, Steph Chan Chor-ki, Lindsay Varty and Yuen Lok-yee.

After a condensed build-up due to the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Richards admits her side are still underdone but are better positioned than in the first round of the women’s competition in South Korea three weeks ago.

“The girls have been training pretty well so we are looking forward to it,” she said. “The first leg was pretty difficult and we didn’t have a great lead into that; I think the girls are more comfortable in the sevens environment now

“Are we sevens fit? Probably not, but the girls have trained well since we came back. What I liked about the first tournament was that we got a good look at the top three so we will be going into this tournament better for that.”

Richards is looking forward to having Sham back in the side and is excited to see World Cup representatives Ho and Chan, as well as the youngster Poon, in action: “I thought [Agnes] played really well at the World Cup so it will be great to see what she can do on the field for us.”

Japan are leading the men’s competition and are the likely winners, while Korea sit two points ahead of Hong Kong after triumphing on home soil three weeks ago with Hong Kong had settling for third.

It means Hong Kong must finish at least two places above South Korea this weekend or things will be awfully tight.

“If we don’t play Korea and don’t win the tournament, then we need to finish two places above them,” coach Paul John said. “We need to play Korea at some point, whoever wins that game will be ahead in the head to head. The bottom line is that if we do really well and win the tournament we will be okay, if we meet Korea along the way that will help us provided we get a positive result from it.

Hong Kong face Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines in pool play, with South Korea and Sri Lanka awaiting on the other side of the draw.

“It means that we get a really good game on day one [against Japan] and depending on what happens at the end of day one is where we cross over,” John said. “It all depends on how the tournament goes and with sevens you can never really predict it so every game is a massive game for us now to put us in a good position for day two.

“Sri Lanka will be stronger being at home and China gave us a difficult game at the end of the tournament last time.”

Debutant Max Denmark comes into the side after recently figuring for the Hong Kong U20s at the World Rugby Junior Trophy. Denmark replaces Fong Kit-fung, who sustained an ankle injury in the last round, in what is the only change to John’s squad.

“Max has been training with us for the last three or four weeks,” John said. “He’s very quick and he’s played wings for the under 20s, he’s a back-row forward as well as playing wing. He gives us a bit of speed out wide and I’m looking forward to watching him play. He’s powerful and he chases kick-offs really well, so it’s exciting for him.”

additional reporting, images: hkru

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 14 October, 2017