Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/1866345/hong-kong-mens-seven-cruise-colombo-cup-final-clash-japan
Rugby/ HK Sevens

Hong Kong men’s seven cruise into Colombo Cup final clash with Japan

Women’s team to battle Thailand in Sri Lanka Sevens play-off for third place

SCMP Reporter
SCMP Reporter

Updated: 2:05pm, 31 Aug, 2018

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Keith Robertson has shone on his return from a long injury lay-off – his cutting edge style of rugby helping Hong Kong to reach the Cup final in Sri Lanka. Photos: Thusith Wijedoru for Asia Rugby

The Hong Kong men’s seven advanced to their first Cup final of the 2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Colombo on Sunday, setting up a meeting with Japan in what many observers expect to be a preview of the Asia zone Olympic qualifying decider next month at Hong Kong Stadium.

Following on from two convincing wins over China Saturday in the Sri Lanka Sevens preliminaries, Hong Kong comfortably beat Taiwan 33-5 in the quarter-finals despite conceding yet another early try.

WATCH: Men’s Cup final – Japan 29-22 Hong Kong

Forwards Max Woodward and Nick Hewson were joined on the scoresheet by Keith Robertson, Jamie Hood and Calvin Hunter.

They then dispatched Malaysia 38-7 in the semis with Salom Yiu Kam-shing nabbing a brace and Robertson, who’s return after a lengthy injury absence has added a cutting edge to the back line, also scoring.

The Japan-Hong Kong match will be the first Cup final meeting this season between the two teams who met regularly in tournament deciders in the past two Asian series.

WATCH: Women’s 3rd/4th playoff – Hong Kong 21-15 Thailand

They have played only once this year, with Japan winning 24-19 after extra time in the Thailand Sevens semi-finals last month.

The Hong Kong women’s team edged Kazakhstan 14-7 in their Cup quarter-final on Sunday morning, but despite controlling extended periods of their semi-final clash with Japan, the Cherry Blossoms prevailed 17-0.