Valley face Football Club minus their sevens stars

Societe Generale Valley will have to make do without their sevens stars against Natixis HKFC on Saturday as they try to keep alive faint hopes of wresting the league title away from Leighton Asia HKCC.

Dangerous backs Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Max Woodward and Lee Jones, and forward Nick Hewson, are on national duty at the Darwin Sevens and will be missing in action when Valley come up against old rivals Hong Kong Football Club in a match they have to win well to stay in touch of leaders HKCC.

Defending champions HKCC (on 47 points) hold a healthy nine-point lead over Valley, whose only hope of swiping the red carpet from underneath their opponents lies in someone doing them a favour by beating HKCC as well as scoring bonus point wins in their last three matches.

Last week's 42-12 demolition of second-placed Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish will lift Valley despite missing their key men.

"We had our best performance this season last week and it is good to have this form, but it doesn't mean anything unless we carry it through until the end," said Valley head coach Jack Isaac.

"We are still building, there is a good feeling in the club at the moment."

HKFC's aim will be to cement their fourth spot in the standings to claim the final spot for the Grand Championship.

"We want to be in the play-offs and indeed to be in a position to challenge. There really is no point being there unless you want to challenge for the trophy," said HKFC rugby director Kevin West.

In other games, HKCC take on Borelli Walsh USRC Tigers at Aberdeen Stadium, while Abacus Kowloon host HK Scottish at King's Park.