Kowloon shaping as title contenders

THE stars were out in force for Crosby Kowloon yesterday. And they did not fail their club who went on to win the Cup final at the Jardine Fleming Aberdeen Sixes, the warm-up to the 1997-98 rugby union season.

Kowloon defeated Valley 5-3 (five tries to three with each try being awarded a point in this revised version of the game where all penalties must be tap-penalties) at the Aberdeen Stadium.

Led by giant lock forward Steve Pengelly and including their other two Hong Kong internationals Riaz Fredericks and Nigel D'Acre, Kowloon looked a class act as they began their campaign for honours this season on a winning note.

The victory will send warning bells ringing around the rest of the Hong Kong First Division, especially as Kowloon were one of the most exciting teams by far in the league last season.

'They are looking good again this time, too. It seems they will be very strong and have a lot of depth in players,' said Phil Morris, chairman of Aberdeen Rugby Club.

Kowloon finished third in the First Division last season, behind champions Valley and Hong Kong Football Club.

They have retained most of their leading players and have even managed to get a couple of promising new players including winger Anwar Fredericks, brother of Riaz.