Valley Stay Top of HKRU Men's Premiership Ladder After Big Win
Catch the highlights from Round 12 of Hong Kong’s premier men’s club rugby competition.
Societe Generale Valley signalled their intent in round 12 of the Rugbypass.com Men’s Premiership on Saturday, dismantling Natixis HKFC with a sublime display to win the RugbyPass.com Game of the Week, 33-14, at Football Club.
After an even opening, Valley put on a show either side of the break to blow their opponents out of the water and warn they are still every bit the force of years past.
“It’s up there [with some of the best rugby we have played this season], we are playing with a tempo that we want to play with and a power that we want to play with,” Valley coach Andrew Kelly said.
“Sometimes the guys look good but it is trying to get that for 80 minutes. I was impressed by the work rate of the guys, the power of our forward pack going forward looked good and the work rate of all the guys, it was a squad effort of all 23.”
It was HKFC who opened the scoring, crossing on the back of some brilliant work from Tom Isaacs, with the former Wales sevens player splitting the Valley defence with a scintillating run up the wing. After beating several defenders, Isaacs administered the perfect grubber kick, allowing Niall Rowark to touch down. Nathan de Thierry added the extras to cap a perfect start for the hosts.
The remainder of the first quarter was evenly matched, with a de Thierry missed penalty the only real scoring opportunity for either side.
A Valley side boasting current Hong Kong players Toby Fenn, Ben Rimene and Max Woodward, among others, found another gear as the first half progressed. After keeping HKFC in their half for some time, the visitors erased the deficit through a barnstorming Matthew Bell try, with Ben Rimene converting the winger’s good work to make it 7-7.
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A yellow card to Charles Higson-Smith for a high tackle after 34 minutes didn’t help HKFC’s cause and Valley continued the attack. They drove the HKFC line further and further back through multiple phases before prop Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi found the line to give the visitors the lead for the first time.
Rimene was again on target from the tee to make it 14-7 and the last 10 minutes of the half was all Valley, with Ruan Duplooy also crossing to push the score out to 19-7 at the break.
Niall Rowark also found himself in the bin in the dying stages of the first half, further hampering his side’s chances.
Valley were irresistible in the opening stages of the second half, with Fenn and Grant Kemp both scoring tries as the score blew out to 33-7.
The Valley blitz was followed by a lengthy stalemate, with both side’s struggling somewhat for continuity and failing to trouble the scorers.
HKFC found some solace with a try to Ben Axten-Burrett after 70 minutes, with de Thierry’s conversion trimming the margin back to 19 points.
It was HKFC who finished the match the better, but the damage was well and truly done by that point.
“I think we eased up maybe a little bit but they’re a good side and they came back at us and I knew they would but we showed some really good heart at the end which was really pleasing,” Kelly said.
In other RugbyPass.com Premiership action, Kowloon beat Borrelli Walsh USR Tigers, 24-12. A brace of tries and three conversions from flyhalf Jack Neville compounded an opening score from Chiefs Development player Turoa Stephens, as Kowloon pushed out to a 21-7 lead at halftime, with flanker Samuel Hocking accounting for Tigers’ first points in the 39th minute as flyhalf Robbie Keith added the conversion.
Tigers narrowed the gap to 21-12 in the second half after winger Yiu Kam Shing’s try in the 62nd minute before Neville extended the lead back to 12 with a late penalty to hand Kowloon its fourth win from the last five matches.
Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish also continued their strong start to the New Year with a five-try, 45-29 win over HKCC at Aberdeen.
Comments on RugbyPass
After missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
10 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
10 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
10 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
10 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
10 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to comments