Arlidge, Bisley cross for hat-trick of tries as HKCC find their feet after stuttering start
Synovate Hong Kong Cricket Club thought it was only a matter of turning up at Aberdeen Sports Ground yesterday to grab the points and saunter off into the afternoon sun, but Laxton PLA hadn't read the script.
The mainland team played some brilliant running rugby to take an early 12-0 lead and within 15 minutes of the start had increased their advantage to 19-5. They ran out of steam in the second half however to lose 64-26, but not before putting in their best performance of the season and giving HKCC a scare they could have done without.
Alas for them, and as is the case with the PLA side over the years, they just ran out of puff after the break and did not have sufficient depth in their squad to sustain their challenge.
'I couldn't have asked for any more of my players,' PLA coach Liu Yong said. 'The first half was some of the best rugby we've played in a long time. It's a pity we lost our shape in the second half, but it was a very positive performance for us and despite the final scoreline it's very encouraging.'
Early tries from Sun Tao and Jing Yue, with Jing then converting his try put PLA 12-0 up, and put worried looks on the faces of the HKCC coaching staff.
Although Colin Bisley scored a try to narrow the deficit Cao Zhiweng finished off a superb flowing move to extend their lead to 19-5.