On a beautiful evening at the HK Football Club, HKFC Ice’s first match of the 2016-17 season was against City Sparkles newly promoted from National League One and looking to prove themselves in the Premiership.
The game kicked off and Ice dominated the early possession, camped constantly in City’s half HKFC created several try scoring opportunities in the first ten minutes but couldn’t cross the line to register the game’s first score. City looked threatening at times with their kicking skills and solid teamwork and certainly showed they are worthy Premiership opponents, their defence and tenacity particularly impressive. In attack the Sparkles put together some solid passages of play and Ice had to defend well to keep them from scoring.
The first 20 minutes saw some impressive tackles and line breaks from the Ice forwards, with Megan Richardson and Bobby Wilson driving the team forward to secure HKFC’s opening try in the 22nd minute. Rosie Hopewell-Fong’s conversion deflecting off the post prevented Ice from adding the extra two.
Backed by the cheering home crowd, Ice looked dangerous in attack and a great piece of skill from Jane Cheung saw her make a clean break to rampage deep into the opposition’s 22.
City’s sparkling attack broke through Ice’s defence in the 33rd minute to record their first Premiership try, secured with a conversion. Sparked into life Ice retaliated with an amazing break from by Rosie Hopewell-Fong, who sprinted 50m after a beautiful chip only to be fouled just short of the try line in the 40th minute. The resultant yellow card for City’s number 3 saw her spend 10 minutes in the bin and Ice’s Iris Chan took full advantage scoring in the corner with a successful conversion from Rosie Hopewell-Fong. Half-time 12-7.
After the break, HKFC set out to take control of the game and Jamie Bourk quickly scored a try, successfully converted by Rosie Hopewell-Fong.
Cheryl Gourley and Zuzanna Osinska came on in the forward line for HKFC and their impact was felt immediately with another try to Ice’s Angelina Cheung which was quickly followed by a second for the enthusiastic Jamie Bourk who controlled the ball with ease to own yet another try.
Further substitutions for HKFC saw Hei Hei Wong on for Crystal Wray on the wing, with Denise Chan, Shonagh Ryan and Stephanie Siu replaced by Royce Chan, Doris Chen and Rabbit Leung. City scored a simple try to going into the last 20 minutes to give them hope of a come-back. Rosie Hopewell-Fong quickly doused that flicker with her first try of the game after some fine individual skill.
Ice’s Megan Richardson was yellow carded in the 67th minute for a high tackle and City took advantage to score their third try with ten minutes to go and close the gap on the scoreboard.
Claire Hunter came off for Cynthia Luk at flanker and Jane Cheung added the icing to a fine display with Ice’s seventh try two minutes from the end.
HKFC controlled much of a game which saw some exciting play from both teams. City competed well in their first game in the top tier and can take many positives from the game. Final score 39-17.
HKFC Ice:
Denise Chan, Shonagh Ryan, Megan Richardson, Angelina Cheung, Iris Chan, Claire Hunter, Nina Pirie, Bobby Wilson, (Captain), Sophie Short, Rose Hopewell-Fong, Jane Cheung, Stephanie Siu, Jamie Bourk, Crystal Wray, Helen Lee.
Substitutes: Doris Chen, Cheryl Gourley, Zuzanna Osinska, Royce Chan, Cynthia Luk, Henrietta Wong, Hei Hei Wong and Rabbit Leung.
Tries: Angelina Cheung, Iris Chan, Jamie Bourk (2), Jane Cheung, Bobby Wilson, Rosie Hopewell-Fong.
Conversions: Rosie Hopewell-Fong (2)
City Sparkles:
Pui Yan Lam, Suen Yan Tiffany Leung, Ka Yan Fung, Lee Wa Wong, Chun Yi Annie Ng (Vice Captain), Pui Yin Yau (Captain), Kar Man Hilary Tse, Lok Lam Joanna Hung, Tsz Wing Donis Fung, Sau Yu Lam, Man King Cheng, Yuk Yan Ng, Oi Ying Stephanie Tang, Hoi Ying Cheung, Agnes Tse
Substitutes: Lai Lai Wong, Tin Yee Cheung, Cheng Wai Yee, Mila Hiu Lam Pang, Tsz Ying YoYo Lau, Yee Sum Lee and Yu Nam Suet.