Premiership buzzing as title race goes down to the wire
League crown and last Grand Championship place on the line in final round of matches
Four of the six Paul Y Premiership clubs have it all to play for on Saturday when the final round of league action takes place. The league title is as yet undecided and the fourth and final play-off spot for the season-ending Grand Championship is still up for grabs.
Title contenders WhichWay Valley and Leighton Asia HKCC are being coy, with both sides playing up their rival’s chances of winning the crown.
Valley, who come up against Abacus Kowloon at King’s Park, claim they have an “outside chance”, while Hong Kong Cricket Club, who will be away to Newedge Club, have said the “cards are stacked against us”.
We have an outside chance for the league, but what is important to us is getting our game right with the Grand Championship coming up
This might all be pre-match posturing, but on paper the view of HKCC coach and director of rugby Andy Hall is spot on. His team face a huge ask as they attempt to score a bonus-point victory over Hong Kong Football Club.
A bonus-point win is a must for the cricketers, who are tied with Valley on 54 points at the top of the standings. Valley are just behind on points-scored but they have a much easier task against Kowloon this weekend.
“We had always hoped that come the last game of the league season we would still be in with a shout for the title, and while the cards are stacked somewhat against us, with Valley facing an injury-ravaged Kowloon, we will be working hard in the hope we can finish on top,” said Hall.
HKCC will have to take their A-game to Sports Road with Club having shown game-by-game improvement in the run in to the Grand Championship. Last Saturday, Club defeated the feisty Hong Kong Scottish 23-21.
