Leighton Asia HKCC remain the only unbeaten team in the Paul Y Premiership after WhichWay Valley stumbled to a narrow 17-13 loss to arch-rivals Newedge Club at Sports Road. Valley were leading 13-6 at the break, but failed to ward off a stirring second-half comeback from Hong Kong Football Club that included a try from loosehead prop Daniel Browne. “It wasn’t pretty to watch but we don’t mind how we win,” said Club director of rugby Kevin West. “We probably shouldn’t have won but we showed immense character to come back and take it.” Valley No 8 Alex Baddeley scored the only try of the first half after a fine move involving both forwards and backs. Khrist Kopetzky added the extra points and also knocked over two penalties as Valley dominated the early play. Club’s only reply came from the boot of flyhalf Gavin Hadley who scored two penalties. As the second half got under way, Club’s forwards asserted themselves at the set piece as well as in the loose, and the tide turned in favour of the home team when Valley lock Chris Mason was sin-binned. During his absence Club racked up eight points – the try from Browne and another penalty from Hadley – to nose ahead 14-13 and snatch the lead for the first time in the game. Solid defence then held Valley at bay and it was left to substitute Robert McDermott to seal the victory for Club with a well-taken drop goal right at the death. “I hope this is the turnaround for us this season, “West said. “We have lost a few games due to some freakish things and we needed a little bit of luck to beat this top-quality side”. “We didn’t control the game enough,” said disappointed Valley coach Dean Herewini. “We were also let down a few times by poor decision making. But all credit to Club whose defence was superb.” The loss, Valley’s first of the season, sees them drop to third place in the table behind second-placed Abacus Kowloon and leaders HKCC, who beat Hong Kong Scottish 31-20 at Shek Kip Mei. “We were poor in the first half but there were 10 or 12 minutes in the second half when we absolutely blew them away,” said HKCC director of rugby Andy Hall. “All credit to the lads for coming out in the second half with a sustained period of pressure. “It was a bit scrappy at the set piece today. We had six players out through injury and suspension but that's not an excuse. The important thing is that you adapt to it. Our line out was poorly executed so we will need to have a look at that. “We face Valley next week in the headline game at the Super Sixes. I imagine that they will be fired up after their loss to Club and this being the first time we will play each other this season we're looking forward to it,” Hall added. HKCC led 14-13 at the break before pulling away in the second half for a bonus-point victory with tries from Tom Marshall, Scott Barratt, Alex McQueen and Brad Raper. Angus Cameron collected 11 points with the boot. Lex Kaleca and Lucas Daley scored a try each for Hong Kong Scottish with Danny Kroll knocking over both conversions and also adding two penalties. HKCC now top the standings with 23 points, four in front of second-placed Abacus Kowloon who defeated Borrelli Walsh Tigers 32-3 at King’s Park. A brace each from Matt Stockdale and Shaun McManus, plus tries for Eni Gesinde and Leon Wei, spurred Kowloon to the bonus-point win.
