Hong Kong eye Asian Games: Natasha Olson-Thorne inspires victory over Kazakhstan but World Series out of reach
Loss to Brazil and narrow defeat by China deny Kevin West’s side but improved performances raise hopes for Indonesia
The good news is that Hong Kong got better the longer the Women’s Sevens World Series Qualifier played out on Thursday. The bad news is that it all came too late to see them play their way through to the second day of the tournament.
Hong Kong were overrun 38-0 by Brazil in their first outing, regrouped in the second half in losing to China 17-7 and then were inspired by Natasha Olson-Thorne’s powerhouse first half in downing Kazakhstan 17-12 as their day came to a close.
Given that China and Kazakhstan will loom as part of the sevens set up at the Asian Games in Jakarta come August, Hong Kong coach Kevin West walked away from So Kon Po confident things were moving in the right direction for a squad who came into the week shy of two of their stars in wingers Aggie Poon Pak-yan and Chong Ka-yan.
Offload and down the outside, @brasilrugby women's side are in fine form at the women's series qualifier in Hong Kong
Follow the qualifier LIVE: https://t.co/ld2H6uFgF4 https://t.co/X7zG9xHKxl pic.twitter.com/xXFCRxg7cd— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 5, 2018
“Last time we played China we lost by 40 points. We turned that to 17-7 and then be beat Kazakhstan. That shows us that if we get it right, yes we can medal [at the Asian Games],” said West.