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Match Report: Valley Reds 42-10 Taipo Dragons

Week 2 of the Womens NL1 saw Valley Reds take on Taipo Dragons at Shek Kip Mei Park. The Dragons opening up with a great run from their nifty fly-half who scored under the posts 10 minutes into the game. Valley answered back with a great chip and chase from new player Zoe Smith who showed speed and skill to regather her kick ahead and put Valley on the board at 5 all.

With both teams fighting for territory and possession, Taipo Dragon’s fly-half again showed skill and pace to cut through the Reds defence before dotting down for another 5 points. 10 – 5 to Taipo Dragons after 20 minutes.

The Reds looked to answer back, with a few penalties going their way, Captain KK Wong showed her experience taking a quick tap and go to score in the corner, bringing the game to 10 all.

Valley now confident and stringing together some good phases saw them end the half on top with a great scrum leading to Reds front row Anita Vogel notch a 5 pointer with a classic forwards pick and go scoring on the white line. Half time score 17 – 10

The second half saw some great play from both teams, the Dragons coming out strong but Valley continued to gain the upper hand, with the Red’s backline running some good patterns to get the ball out to Zoe Smith who ran in another two tries to complete her hat-trick, 27 – 10.

Valley’s healthy lead offered a chance for those on the bench and reserve lock Aryana Gant and midfielder Suzzana Stikko both took advantage scoring a try each. Young winger Sophie Lai completed the scoring with try in the corner after a solid scrum.

Strong performances from experienced senior player Julie Savoie who gained forward of the match and in form center Zoe Smith providing easy choice as backs player of the day.

Valley Reds 42-10 Taipo Dragons
@ Shek Kip Mei
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

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

Match Report: HK Scottish Kukris 12-10 HKCC

With both teams going into week two undefeated this promised to be a good game. And with the Kukris having home advantage they were confident of a win. Alas the game plan was swiftly thrown into disarray, as in quick succession, Captain Claire, second row Robyn, and full-back Ket came off injured. With the replacements still settling in, the forwards were seldom winning the ball, and that left the backs fighting a series of defensive moves. Half time couldn’t come soon enough for the Kukris, and as the referee blew the whistle for the break, the only real surprise was that the score was 0-5, HKCC having scored just one, unconverted, try.

The game resumed where it had left off, and HKCC scored another try, but again the conversion was unsuccessful. It seemed Kukris would have nothing to show for the day. But the forwards started to dominate the scrum and the backs held the defensive line. Then, with three minutes to go, and against the run of play, Man Ling sprinted up the pitch to score. The conversion was unsuccessful, bouncing back off the upright. But down by only 5 points the Kukris pushed up the pitch, determined to score again, until an infringement at the HKCC 22 snuffed out the attack. With the clock running down, it seemed it would be HKCC who would score, as they repeatedly assaulted the Kukris’s defense, that was now backed-up against their own try line. But a turnover allowed Kukris the ball, and a kick from behind the try line sent it up pitch. Giving chase and with support, Man Ling scored her second try under the posts, Karis Cheung converted and the referee blew the full time whistle. Final score 12-10 and an unlikely win for Hong Kong Scottish Kukris.

Women NL1: HK Scottish Kukris 12-10 HKCC
@ Shek Kip Mei Kick-off: 15:00
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

Match Report: Valley Black 17-0 USRC

Typhoon 3 was not enough to stop the reigning champions from starting off the league with a solid win against the USRC Tigers. After many phases deep in the Tigers half, Bella put first points on the board from a penalty kick 40m from the posts. Then, in open phase play, Bella spotted a gap and dotted through to score under the posts. She nailed the conversion to extend the lead to 10-0 at half time.

The second half saw a superb team try initiated by a turnover from Rocky at the halfway mark. The black ladies demonstrated great skill and teamwork to put it through the hands for Jen Mackay to finish on the other side. Well done to new first team caps Jazz, Rebecca and Jess who had a great run. Congrats to MVPs Sarka, for being relentless and Rocky for three try-saving tackles under pressure.

Decent hit out for first game of the season. Valley Black have bye this week.

Match Report: DB Pirates 5 – 20 CWB Pink

A T3 signal ensured a tough opening day at the ‘office’ for both the Discovery Bay Pirates and CWB Pink as by the 17:15 kick-off time the rain and wind of Typhoon Mujigae had well and truly set in. The Pirates Ladies struggled to field a side, with a lot of the team away, but two HK Scottish 10s players Anna Kam and Tiffany Tse stepped in to ensure the game went ahead. This was the first run out for a lot of the lady Pirates who are rebuilding their team after several players left for University at the end of last season.

In a game played with a lot of heart and enthusiasm, Sienna Stubbs went over to score the Pirates only try, with the new season barely ten minutes old. The Pirates dominated in the scrum during a first half when the weather ensured there were a lot, but were unable to add to their score. While both teams committed valiantly to the scrums and rucks, the conditions ensured that free flowing rugby was at a premium. The second half saw the Pirates front row tire as CWB ran in further tries for a comfortable win.

A tough first game for both teams considering the conditions. The inexperienced Pirates learning lessons that only game time can give will be hard at work on the training pitch over the the next two weeks as they work to improve and meld as a team. Thanks to Anna Kam, Tiffany Tse and Eleanor ‘Jonesy’ Jones for playing with the DB Pirates.

Discovery Bay Pirates are looking for any players from around Discovery Bay and Lantau, anyone 17up looking to join the sisterhood please contact [email protected] no experience required, just passion to learn and play!

DB Pirates 5 – 20 CWB Pink
@ Tai Hang Tun Recreation Ground
DB Pirates: Meg McGrath, Corne Brink, Sienna Stubbs, Rebecca Thomasis, Oorja Goel, Vanessa Kima, Paula Andrea, Shannon Tjon, Anna Kam, Tiffany Tse, Eleanor ‘Jonesy’ Jones.

Edited 6 October, 2015 to include HK Scottish players names