Schoolboy Siu plays Cupid as Valley romp

While other Hong Kong teenagers were probably swooning over their sweethearts with a bunch of roses in their nervous hands, Island School schoolboy Darren Siu was coolly playing a man's game on Valentine's Day.

The slightly built left-winger showed all the hallmarks of Cupid, being right on the mark, and dotting down the first try that gave heart and lifted the spirits of Asahi Valley who romped to a 35-18 win over Descartes Kowloon in the Zurich Major League yesterday.

Siu, 18, clinically finished off a blindside move, scampering over from about 15 metres to score the first of five Valley tries. His effort was just the tonic Valley needed as they shrugged off the stranglehold clamped on by a gallant Kowloon pack who played their hearts out but ultimately ran out of steam and conviction as the defending champions showed glimpses of the swagger that won them the title last season.

It was not only the try by Siu that gave Valley a fillip. His gung-ho attitude was evident right from the outset when he boldly took on Kowloon No 8 Rob Turuwhenua, who was bullocking upfield having fielded the kick-off.

Siu had thrown down the gauntlet for the rest of his teammates: match me if you can. And Valley did just that.

'Did you see how he took on big Rob. It was just unbelievable,' gushed amazed Valley player-coach Semi Iafeta afterwards. The accolades continued. 'He showed tremendous guts. For a boy still at school to be up against men of this size is admirable,' echoed Valley co-coach Kevin Ramsey.

Siu's try gave Valley the lead for the first time in the match, 10 minutes from halftime. Until then, Kowloon's forwards had controlled the proceedings. Tighthead prop Maafu Pale had scored first, driving over from a lineout close to the line.