Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Hong Kong relentless in late 19-12 comeback against Madagascar
- Two early Madagascar tries put Hong Kong on the back foot but Monaghan’s team seal comeback with two minutes to go
- Hong Kong and France sit on six points with the pool toppers facing off on Sunday to determine knockout round path
Hong Kong’s women’s team left it late to defeat a stubborn Madagascar 19-12 in their second game of the World Rugby Sevens Repechage pool C match on Saturday.
It was a nightmare start for coach Iain Monaghan’s side after multiple handling errors allowed for two quick tries by Veronique Rasoanekena to take an early lead at the Stade Louis II in Monaco.
Madagascar captain Laurence Rasoananorasana’s yellow card for dangerous play opened the game back up but a jittery Hong Kong failed to fully capitalise.
It was only until Jess Ho finished a run by co-captain Natasha Olson-Thorne that they started to claw back at the half-time mark. Olson-Thorne appeared to be substituted off in discomfort after the exchange.
Hong Kong continued their wide passing strategy but again struggled to make use of their high possession percentage. With just one and a half minutes to go, Stephanie Chan Chor-ki helped take the lead for the first time in the game after being awarded a penalty try, with previous scorer Rasoaneka sin-binned for a high tackle.