Rowan Varty and Dave Whiteford suffer concussion in finale to league
Hong Kong internationals taken to hospital after being hurt in clash between HKCC and Scottish
Hong Kong internationals Rowan Varty and Dave Whiteford suffered serious concussion as the league competition in the HKRFU Premiership ended with Leighton Asia HKCC officially being crowned champions on Saturday.
It was a somewhat muted end to the league as first Varty, and then Whiteford, were taken to hospital after they were injured in tackles in separate incidents in the game between Hong Kong Cricket Club and Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish at Aberdeen Sports Ground.
HKCC won the encounter 19-9.
He was out cold for about two minutes but he came around and knew where he was
HKCC fullback Varty was knocked unconscious when he was hit in a two-man tackle in the first half.
"It was a whiplash tackle, one low and one midriff. He was out cold for about two minutes but he came around and knew where he was," said Dai Rees, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union general manager, performance. "He was sent for a CT scan to make sure everything is okay."
Hong Kong Scottish winger Whiteford was hurt in a tackle in the second half.
Both players are expected to miss the season-ending Grand Championship although Varty is likely to be available to take part in the Hong Kong Sevens next month.
Varty, who is also a full-time scholarship athlete at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, texted congratulatory messages to his teammates after they came back from a 9-9 stalemate at half-time to clinch the league title in style.
HKCC ended the game with 13 men after two sin bins but they also finished stronger with substitute front-rower Amo Tauialo scoring the only try of the match when he found himself in the clear five metres from the line.
Lefty fly-half Jason Kjestrup accounted for 14 points including a drop goal in the first half. His opposite number Diggy Bird converted three penalties for HK Scottish.
"It is pleasing considering the nature of this win. We were down to the bare bones with injuries but we have depth and this has been one of the key aspects behind our success this season, guys putting their hands up and playing out of position," said Roberts.
"It has been a good season. We lost only twice - to Hong Kong Football Club and Hong Kong Scottish - and remained unbeaten on our home ground. Now for the double," added Roberts as HKCC eye the Grand Championship silverware.
But there was no fairy-tale ending for Hong Kong Scottish prop Kohn Aikman, who marked his 50th appearance for the club.
HKFC clinched the final spot in the play-offs, defeating Abacus Kowloon 27-24.
In the other league fixture, Societe Generale Valley were too strong for Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers, winning 48-17.
