Tag: University
Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 7 December, 2019
Hong Kong 18-0 The Netherlands @ Amsterdam – 30 November, 2019
Hong Kong won its first-ever European tour test series, sweeping the Netherlands with an 18-0 second test victory in Amsterdam. That followed last Tuesday’s 14-12 victory, which was the first for Hong Kong over any European opponent in a fifteen-a-side test.
Hong Kong had a fiery start, pressing the Netherlands from kick-off and dominating the first exchanges. With confidence high, fly half Lara Schats declined a makeable penalty to kick for the corner as the visitors backed themselves from the lineout.
Hong Kong’s set-piece functioned well all game with technique trumping the Dutch height advantage. The ball was claimed neatly at the back of the line out and the forwards unleashed six phases bashing the try-line before So found the gap to burrow over after five minutes. The conversion was missed but Hong Kong had again taken an early psychological edge.
They pressed their advantage again minutes later with prop Tammy Lau Nga-wun scoring after a series of short runs from the forwards. It was Lau’s second try of the series, Hong Kong 10-0.
The Netherlands responded physically and Hong Kong’s defence held firm against an athletic Dutch backline that threatened with several long-range attacks only to be foiled by a thundering last gasp tackle. Hong Kong were strong in the breakdown, generating regular turnover ball to launch their own attacks.
Despite plenty of opportunities at both ends of the pitch, tenacious defending from both sides saw the score remained 10-all until late in the fourth quarter. An injured Schats gave way to Aileen Ryan at ten and her fresh legs added energy to the attack. Ryan’s long run through the heart of the Netherland defence was ended close to the line.
But there was plenty of forward support following up with No.8 Suzanne Sittko driving over for her first try for her country on her second cap, pushing the score to 15-0.
Ryan added a late penalty to push the margin to 18, as Hong Kong kept the Dutch scoreless to capture a memorable series win.
Lead coach Fan Shun-kei was delighted with the efforts of the squad, saying, “This second win was so important to us. We just beat them in the first test, so it was a good challenge for the squad, especially with them bringing in more of their experienced players for this game.
“Our concern coming in was our physicality and the size difference between us and the teams in Europe. They are bigger than us, and that is just a fact that we have to live with.” Fan continued “Our game plan really worked, slowing them down at the ruck and attacking them low. They are tall and big, and we knew they would struggle with us attacking them low.”
With the series in the bag, the true results will only be seen next spring in the Asian qualifier for the Rugby World Cup and Fan believes this tour has them off to a good start.
“The girls proved something to themselves on tour, that even though we give up size, we can still play big.
‘This experience is an important moment in our build-up to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, which is what we are focused on now. This win will give us a lot of confidence going into the qualifiers with Japan and Kazakhstan.”
Fan expects the squad to push on to the next level now, warning them that there is still much work to do before facing Asia’s best in March.
“We need the same physicality we had today, more even, but we need to be much more skilful. The Asian sides are much faster and we will need to play differently against them,” said Fan.
Hong Kong Tour Squad v The Netherlands
Dr Karen So Hoi-ting (Captain), Lau Nga-wun, Vincci Leung Wing-yi, Winnie Siu Wing-ni, Iris Lam Tim-yeung, Riva Brill, Chan Hiu-tung, Cheung Shuk-hang, Hana Lane*, Lee Ka-shun, Maelle Picut*, Suzanne Sittko*, Roshini Turner* Au King-to*, Chloe Chan*, Fung Hoi-ching*, Tsang Ching-man, Chow Mei-nam, Jessica Eden, Jessica Ho Wai-on, Sarah Lucas, Lara Schats*, Vivian Poon Hoi-yan*, Amy Pyle, Aileen Ryan, Zoe Smith, Hebe Talas*, Bena Yu Bo-yan.* Hong Kong Debut.
Additional reporting and images: HKRU, USRC Tigers
Historic Hong Kong Victory, 14-12 Against Netherlands
Hong Kong’s women’s 15s held their nerve to score a historic 14-12 win over the Netherlands on 26 November in Amsterdam to record their first-ever test victory over a European team.
Against the 13th ranked team in the world Hong Kong (ranked 21st) lead 7-0 at half time courtesy of a try from prop Tammy Lau Nga-wun, with fly-half Aileen Ryan adding the conversion. The visitors stretched their lead to 14-nil early in the second half with tighthead prop Lee Ka-shun scoring and debutant Lara Schats converting.
The Netherlands stormed back with two tries, the unconverted second with ten minutes remaining saw Hong Kong retain a two-point lead into the final stretch. Hong Kong soaked up intense Dutch pressure but held firm. A missed penalty attempt by the visitors as time expired wasn’t costly on a marvellous night for women’s rugby in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong coach, Jo Hull, hailed it as a pivotal win for a young team featuring ten debutants.
“It was a meaningful win for us, but we are keeping our feet on the ground. They had some new players, and I expect them to revert to their experience now. We are expecting to play a different Netherlands team on Saturday.
Hull continued “It was a great win; a real nail biter, but slightly frustrating at the same time. We lacked execution in the first half. We had possession but could not convert opportunities and made too many individual errors.”
“At half time we talked a lot about executing, and playing our game. Our set-piece and lineout were working well, so we could play more of a kicking game and we controlled the game well in the second half,” said Hull, who wants her team to demand even more of themselves on Saturday.
“Our only focus now is on finishing the job. How we improve from Tuesday to Saturday is the biggest test of the tour,” Hull added.
For Hull the difference in the first test came from Hong Kong’s ability to dictate the games’ tempo and timely contributions from the reserves.
“We had good impact off the bench; Maelle Picut who came on at No.8 and Jasmine Fung came on at centre and added significant impact and energy. We played with the momentum and tempo we wanted to, and did well at slowing them down.”
“Our focus is on our recovery and our execution. Being sure we are physically and mentally ready to play and getting our best combinations out on the pitch.
“One of the most pleasing things we saw in the first game was the things we have been working on in training being executed on the pitch. That is a huge confidence boost for the girls,” Hull added.
Hull expects what was already a significant physical challenge to intensify. “They are much bigger than us, so I was pleased with how we played at the breakdown and in contact, particularly after we were disappointed with our performance in those areas in our training camp with Scotland.
“We held our own on tonight, but I anticipate a more physical game ahead. We used our speed and tempo game well against them and will need to do it again.”
Hull also noted the positive performance of some of the newer players like Roshini Turner, who made her Hong Kong debut in the second row with veteran Tsang Ching-man, and another emerging star in Amy Pyle who did not shy from the contact game.
“Roshini played really well in the lineouts, both of the rows did, they paired well and it was a good debut for her. Amy also had a very strong game, and was really physical in defence.”
A couple of young heads also showed excellent composure for Hull in fly half Ryan and centre Lara Schats.
“They performed well. Despite being young, they are reliable kicking options for us and helped control the game. It was a real challenge for them to step up into what is a big job and in big positions. We were pleased with all of the new players.
“They now understand what is required at international level. It was an eye opener for them and the focus will be on how well we adjust from tonight to Saturday.”
Hull will be keen to close out the sweep but objectives have largely been met as the team grows in confidence.
“Our goal is to play more outside of Asia. We are now seeing the results. This win was a huge marker for us, to beat a team from outside our comfort zone, particularly a team as challenging as the Netherlands with their physical size and athleticism.
“It is an experience that will impact our Rugby World Cup journey and the players are absorbing every bit of it to help them down the line,” said Hull.
Hong Kong Tour Squad v The Netherlands
Dr Karen So Hoi-ting (Captain), Lau Nga-wun, Vincci Leung Wing-yi, Winnie Siu Wing-ni, Iris Lam Tim-yeung, Riva Brill, Chan Hiu-tung, Cheung Shuk-hang, Hana Lane*, Lee Ka-shun, Maelle Picut*, Suzanne Sittko*, Roshini Turner* Au King-to*, Chloe Chan*, Fung Hoi-ching*, Tsang Ching-man, Chow Mei-nam, Jessica Eden, Jessica Ho Wai-on, Sarah Lucas, Lara Schats*, Vivian Poon Hoi-yan*, Amy Pyle, Aileen Ryan, Zoe Smith, Hebe Talas*, Bena Yu Bo-yan.* Hong Kong Debut.
Additional reporting and images: HKRU
Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 16 November, 2019 -Cancelled
All fixtures for the 16 November 2019 have been cancelled and will be reschuled for a later date.
