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Societe Generale Valley, Bloomberg HK Scottish and Natixis HKFC all got their seasons off to a winning start on the HKRU Old Mutual International Men’s Premiership Super Saturday.
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Valley and Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers got things underway with a tightly fought affair that saw the five-time reigning grand champions prevail 24-21.
Tigers led 11-9 at half-time thanks to a try to flanker Alex Woodburn and a penalty and a conversion from full back Robbie Keith, with Valley’s points all coming from the boot of fly half Matt Rosslee.
Yellow cards to Dan Barlow and Matthew Price halfway through the second half didn’t help the Tigers as Valley pulled away to what turned out to be an unassailable 24-14 lead thanks to tries to Ruan Duplooy and Taumafi Komiti.
“I think they put us under a lot of pressure and they will probably feel like they could have had that game, which is fair enough,” Valley coach Andrew Kelly said.
“I would say we were a bit lucky to get the win but we’ll take it. We were making really bad system errors in defence and attack and we just had to tighten it all up. We knew we had some pace and fitness to come off the bench and we just stuck with it.
“Some of the stuff was alright, but maybe only 10 per cent and the rest was pretty bad. Guys like James Currie and Tom Mahony came off the bench and were brilliant for us.”
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Tigers’ coach Sam Hocking – coaching his first game after three years playing at the club – was left to rue his side’s ill-discipline.
“It was a good first half, I thought we probably left a few points out there to be honest. They lived off our mistakes and we gave them nine easy points,” he said.
“That killer 15 minutes in the second half, where we got two yellow cards and gave up two tries hurt.
“I got a bit frustrated towards the end but it’s a learning curve for the boys out there and it’s a learning curve for me as well.”
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Scottish led throughout against HKCC however the Cricketers never let the margin blow out, with a first-half double to Shae Turner giving Scottish an early 19-0 lead.
Tries to Jack Metters and Moses Bailey ensured HKCC were somewhat in touch at 26-10 down at the half and when Metters crossed again, before converting his own try and nailing two penalties, it was game on at 26-23.
A red card to Matt Lamming made put paid to HKCC’s fightback before a third try to Turner and one to Lucas Duley saw Scottish home.
The win by HKFC over last year’s beaten finalists Kowloon was the biggest surprise of the day, with Football Club prevailing 19-10 on the back of a brilliant game from Glyn Hughes that saw him score all of his side’s points via a try, four penalties and a conversion.
Comments on RugbyPass
Talent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
31 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
31 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
110 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsAT THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM WITH 4 WORLD CUPS WILL ALWAYS GET TO TELL THE OTHER NATION TO SUCK MY BALLS. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC AND IRREFUTABLE FACT.
110 Go to commentsWish him and his family the best in his retirement from International rugby and into the future.
1 Go to commentsSelf proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
1 Go to commentsLate growth spurts are a common problem over here. I’m well over 30, and I just started having a growth spurt too. Could be a world class prop soon.
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