New signings make their mark as Premiership storms into action

The 2014-15 Premiership – the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union’s 62nd domestic term – kicked off in style at King’s Park on Saturday, dishing up three vivid reminders of the excitement and quality of last season ... but with a twist.

The match results may sound familiar – Leighton Asia HKCC edged Societe Generale Valley 12-9, Bloomberg HK Scottish mounted a late charge for a come-from-behind 26-22 win over Natixis HKFC, and Abacus Kowloon made their presence felt in the forwards to overpower Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers 41-13.

However, the clubs’ off-season recruitment drives were clearly in evidence as the Premiership’s first Super Saturday delivered intensity on a whole new level.

The showcase game of round one was the re-match of last year’s Grand Championship final between Societe Generale Valley and Leighton Asia HKCC – and the teams picked up just where they left off last season.

After going winless in four encounters against the eventual Grand Champions last term, HKCC made an emphatic statement by outlasting Valley in Saturday’s late game as neither team could penetrate their opponents’ defence and penalties ultimately told the story.