Kowloon grab first final spot

Crosby Kowloon stormed into the final of the Foster's Knockout Cup when they comfortably defeated Hong Kong Football Club 17-10 at Sports Road last night.

A mouthwatering finale is now on the cards. Kowloon, probably the most entertaining rugby team in town this season, have booked their berth and it is left for League champions Valley Red to do their part when they take on DeA in the other semi-final at Happy Valley tonight.

If that happens - and Valley Red are favourites - rugby fans can look forward to a grandstand finish to the 1996-97 season.

Kowloon never looked in danger last night of losing the opportunity to finish their successful season in style.

With dynamic lock forward Steve Pengelly and astute tactician Nigel Dacre standing out with showpiece performances, Kowloon rumbled their way past an out-of-sorts Club outfit who only came to life late in the second half.

By then it was too late. Kowloon, who led from the outset, were leading 14-3 and never really looked like slipping up, although an opportunist try by Club's outside centre Alan Clark injected some urgency into the last 10 minutes of the game.

But it was in vain. Club not only lost their final chance of salvaging their season with a worthwhile trophy, but they also lost their cool - fullback Chris Jones receiving his marching orders in injury-time when he threw a haymaker which felled a Kowloon forward.