Men’s premiership: Valley slip by Sandy Bay, Scottish stay on top and Tigers edge HKFC
- Hong Kong Scottish trounce Kerry Hotel Kowloon in the first week of action after a break in the Hong Kong men’s rugby premiership
- In a close match, the Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers edge HKFC
Societe Generale Valley looked “fit and fresh” to edge Herbert Smith HKU Sandy Bay 32-27 as the Hong Kong men’s rugby premiership resumed after a five-week break.
The lay-off came as a result of the national side competing in a repechage tournament in France to decide the final spot for the 2019 Rugby World Cup – Canada securing that place.
Valley director of rugby Dean Herewini noted after the win over Sandy Bay that they played three of their eight national players – Nick Hewson, Matt Rosslee and Grant Kemp.
“It was definitely a bit interesting going into the game after such a break,” Herewini said. “But the guys seemed to be able to flip the switch pretty quickly.
Valley bolted out to an early lead after a seventh-minute score from Ryan Duplooy, with fullback Scott Davidson nailing the conversion. Jack Metters, playing at scrum half for Sandy Bay, then went on a personal rampage as he scored all of his side’s 14 first-half points.
Hong Kong Scottish showed no signs of sluggishness as they trounced Kerry Hotel Kowloon 45-13 in the other early game.