Telea to the rescue as Valley flay Club
Asahi Valley's lethal weapon Alex Telea is back and they are now primed and ready to mount an all-out assault on the 2004-05 First Division title. Valley shrugged off their indifferent first-round form and showed their true colours when they thrashed CBRE Club 38-13 in their second round encounter at Sports Road yesterday.
Rugby might be a team game, but there are still individuals who can leave an indelible mark, and Telea is one such person. Two seasons ago, the former Samoan international left a huge impression on Hong Kong rugby when he established a record by scoring 25 tries in a season.
Needing that sort of firepower to reignite a flagging campaign, Valley sent out an SOS and Telea responded immediately, arriving only a few days ago and in time to torment Club. 'I have just returned and it is great to be back,' grinned Telea after scoring two of Valley's six tries and being the bright spark behind the crushing victory that now pushes Valley into second place behind leaders HKCC/Aberdeen who have a five-point advantage.
But the return of Telea - he did not play in Hong Kong last season - will be a huge boost for Valley. Everyone, foe as well as friend, admitted that the speedy winger was the game-breaker last night. Valley, who won the league title two seasons ago with Telea in the side, are now back on track for another victorious campaign.
'It is great to have Alex [Telea] back. He has lifted the spirit of the whole team. With this win we are now back in contention, although we cannot afford to drop another game,' said elated skipper Brett Forsyth.
Two tries either side of half-time from Telea proved decisive for Valley who came close to emulating the scoreline - 41-13 - the last time the nuggety Samoan appeared at the Sport Road club.
'Those two tries by Alex got them on the front foot. It is very disappointing for we were competing until then. Now the whole race is open and we need to win every game,'' said Club captain Tom Cameron.
HKCC/Aberdeen lead with 28 points followed by Valley (23) with Club and Kowloon (who have a game in hand) tied in third place on 20 points as the season enters its crucial phase. With no Grand Championship this time, the pressure is on these four teams.
For the moment, however, a rejuvenated Valley can bask in satisfaction. Their forwards had an immense game yesterday with No8 Hemi Pou outstanding. In the backs, scrumhalf Andrew Wong Kee was the livewire with his sniping runs and pugnacious approach creating mayhem amongst the Club defence.
Valley lost flanker Semi Iafeta in the very first minute when he limped out with a hamstring injury. But replacement Paul Gaffney was more than up to the task and together with Bryan O'Hara kept the pressure on Club flyhalf Ben Harris.
It was a battle of attrition for the first 30 minutes with both defences holding firm. Club centre Nigel D'Acre broke the deadlock when he cleverly intercepted a pass and ran 25 metres to score under the posts giving Harris an easy conversion.
Stung into action, Valley answered with a try from Wong Kee who completed a multi-phase move by picking up and scoring from close range. Flyhalf Justin Temara added the extra points.
Telea's first try was just before the break when on an overlap, he covered 50 metres to score untouched. Valley led 12-7 at half-time and this was increased to 19-7 soon after when Telea was on hand to finish off a break from Wong Kee.
Valley could have scored two more tries soon after but poor handling cost them and they saw Club close in with a Harris penalty. But Tom Hall put Valley in the clear when he scored his side's fourth try midway through the second half. A huge punt by Temara resulted in Club winger Kenzo Pennell fumble. Valley prop Rhys Buckler was up in a flash and swept the ball into Hall's safe hands.
Skipper Forsyth played a role in Valley's last two tries being the provider on both occasions. The fifth was scored by winger John Chen. Centre Mike Diamond completed the rout when he was on hand to finish off a powerful 30-metre break from Forsyth.
