Tag: Jena Saffery

Match Report: HKFC Ice 20-7 Kowloon

hkfc-ice-3-oct1

In a first for women’s rugby in Hong Kong, the Premiership kicked off at King’s Park at the same time as the men’s. Linda Olson was there as six of the seven Women’s Premiership teams played their first matches of the 2015-2016 season under the clouds and rain of Typhoon Mujigae and a T3 signal – with stalwart supporters and tenacious photographers braving the elements to support them on King’s Park pitch 2.

More was at stake than in previous seasons, with HKRU Women’s Development Manager, Samantha Scott Feausi announcing shortly before Super Saturday that, “A new Super Series will feature our top 66 players from the domestic league. These players will be split into three Barbarian sides which will play against each other, effectively adding a component of representative rugby apart from the domestic league and just below the national setup. The goal is to better prepare and help transition players to full representative rugby.”

Premiership newcomers HKFC Ice proved they are worthy of their place in the top women’s league with a convincing 20-7 win over Kowloon Ladies. As Injured Captain Royce Chan looked on from the sidelines, young Captain Aileen Ryan led her team to a convincing victory over 2014’s sixth place team.

With winds gusting at 40-70km and heavy rain, Ice’s first try was scored within seconds of kick-off by number 8 Bobby Wilson, a second from Sarah McMillan quickly followed for a commanding early lead as Ice took control. A second try in the corner for Bobby Wilson before half time saw the premiership newcomers head into the break comfortably ahead 15-0.

At start of the second half, Kowloon, demonstrating an admirable never-give-up mentality, began the half with renewed energy, gaining ground despite good tackling by HKFC. Their momentum was stopped by a penalty and a couple of minutes later, Sarah McMillan capitalized on some excellent teamwork to take the ball across the line for Ice’s fourth try.,

Kowloon continued to play with Lily Chau Hei Tung scoring the best try of the match under the posts after some excellent teamwork and some fancy footwork.Cindy Yuen Lok Yee kicked the first conversion of the match for what turned out to be Kowloon’s consolation score.

Additional match report from Stephanie Wright

HKFC Ice made an impressive premiership debut against Kowloon on Saturday, looking stronger and fitter than ever. Despite the typhoon winds and lashing rain, HKFC Ice got off to a strong start with their new number 8 (Bobby Wilson) scoring a try in the first minute. In defiance of the numerous penalties called against them, HKFC Ice dominated the first half with two additional tries from Bobby and winger Sarah McMillan.

Half time and the rain had eased off. Kowloon kicked off the second half and started to show HKFC Ice what they are made of. Whether it was the improved conditions or a stern half time talk, they were back in the game. Sarah scored her second try of the game demonstrating exactly why Ice deserve their promotion. A strong defence from Ice and some great tackles by numbers 9, (Sophie Short) and 13 (Grace Hood) weren’t enough to stop Kowloon score and kick the only successful conversion of the game. It was a tough game in tough weather but HKFC Ice are off to a great start in the Premiership.

HKFC Ice 20-7 Kowloon
@ King’s Park, kick-off 14:30

HKFC Ice: Shonagh Ryan, Amy Kong, Megan Richardson, Martina Colombo, Claire Forster, Aysha Fiaz, Zuzanna Osinska, Bobby Wilson, Sam Tarrant, Aileen Ryan, Sarah McMillan, Jane Cheung, Grace Hood, Stephanie Siu, Emma Shields.
Substitutes: Denise Chan, Carol Hung, Madeline Adcock, Apple Lau, Sophie Short, Natalia Lech, Rabbit Leung.
Tries: Bobby Wilson (2), Sarah McMillan (2)

Kowloon: Tin Lai Lai, Yip Yuk Wun, Yip Cho Kwan, Lee Hoi Shan, Kwok Hei Woon, Au Yeung Yuen Ching, Lau Yan Yi, Leung Hei Nga, Chu Wing Yee Windy, Mak Ho Yee, Chiu Tsz Ki, Tsang Wing Chi, Mui Yan Long, Leung Lok Sze, Fung Wai Man Rita.
Substitutes: Wong I Kwan Elise, Iu Tsz Yan, Lau Ki Yan, Yuen Lok Yee, Lee For Wing Florence, Cham Wai Ling, Chau Hei Tung
Try: Lily Chau Hei Tung Conversion: Cindy Yuen Lok Yee

Updated 7 October with team lists and try scorers and Jena Saffery match report
Photo: Takumi Photography

HKFC 32–5 Tai Po Dragons

Two years ago the Tai Po Dragons and HKFC Newedge Ice combined to field a single team for women’s 15-a-side rugby. This season, in a sign of the continued development of women’s rugby in Hong Kong, they fielded separate teams, though the camaraderie between them has never faded. Nevertheless, after two games and two losses, the Ice Ladies were determined to celebrate their first win of the season, even if it was at the expense of their old allies. And that put an extra edge on the game between the two sides that kicked off at 4:30pm on October 19 at the HK Football Club in Happy Valley.

The Ice Ladies got a boost to their confidence within the first five minutes when Royce Chan ran in a try for HKFC. That didn’t stop the Tai Po ladies putting up a strong fight, constantly competing for the ball but the Ice girls kept creating breaches in the Tai Po defensive line. Last week’s game had taught Ice that they needed more strength and aggression at the breakdown, and with that lesson firmly in mind, defending the ball in the ruck and keeping possession became the rule of the game: Daniella Means and Kim Kan scored additional tries and Helen Lee converted for a half time score of 17-0.

Going into the second half, the energy of the Ice team was peaking, and lessons learned in hard training sessions were obviously bearing fruit. But the Tai Po Dragons came back with a vengeance, determined to put some points on the board; which they did with a try. Then, as both teams started to tire, handling errors crept into the game resulting in frequent turnovers and some messy play in the middle of the half. Still, before the final whistle the Ice girls scored three more tries, two for Daniella Means (taking her to a hat trick) and another for Fiona Atkinson.

It might have been a pitched battle on the field but in true sporting spirit at the end of the tussle the two teams gathered to thank each other for a great game and hug old teammates. It was a fitting end to a competitive game of rugby.

HK Football Club
Kim Kan, Amy Kong, Ashley Dawson, Christina McLaughlin, Joelle Touchette, Fiona Atkinson, Diana Han, Allison Lee, Royce Chan, Helen Lee, Marie Gaschignard, Daniella Means, Daisy Miers, Anne McManus, Madeline Adcock, Adriana Garcia, Meghan Hayes, Caroline Lau, Bonita Leung

Tries: Daniella Means (3), Royce Chan, Kim Kan, Fiona Atkinson Conversions: Helen Lee