Six-try HKCC extend Premiership lead after Super Saturday favour from Valley
Leighton Asia HKCC moved a step closer to retaining their league crown after Societe Generale Valley did them a favour by defeating closest contenders Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish 42-12 in Super Saturday action.
Leighton Asia HKCC moved a step closer to retaining their league crown after Societe Generale Valley did them a favour by defeating closest contenders Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish 42-12 in Super Saturday action.
Defending champions Hong Kong Cricket Club extended their lead at the top of the HKRFU Premiership standings with a 43-5 bonus-point victory over Abacus Kowloon, during which they ran in six tries, and then watched Valley dominate 14-man HK Scottish in the second match at Sports Road.
"We were just here to get the win. We were not focusing on the bonus point but it is welcome," said pleased HKCC head coach Deacon Manu. "We just need to keep backing up our performances."
All teams have three more matches to play in regular league competition before the Grand Championship playoffs next month.
Against Valley on Saturday, HK Scottish – down a man after centre Lex Kaleca picked up two yellow cards – not only failed to keep pace with the league leaders, they also lost the coveted Broony Quaich.
Valley, who will be missing a number of key players on national sevens duty in Darwin next week, turned on the style as they brought to an end an unbeaten run for HK Scottish which stretches back to October.
"That is probably the best performance we have put on the park all year," said Valley head coach Jack Isaac.
"Obviously the red card to Scottish didn't help them. It probably lifted us as well [and] that was a big turning point in the game. I think we were pretty consistent for the 80 minutes so that is very pleasing."
Dejected HK Scottish coach Craig Hammond said: "Beaten by a better team on the night. They were very clinical and capitalised on our errors and scored some lovely tries. So all credit to them.
For HKCC, fullback Angus Cameron led his side's six-try charge with a brace, while David Panirau, Rowan Varty, Bradley Raper and Jonathan Patterson all added one each. Fly-half Jason Kjestrup was successful on five of the six conversions and slotted over a penalty to add 13 points.
In the final game hosts Natixis HKFC defeated Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers 24-5, with Niall Rowark kicking a penalty and three conversions from tries by Dan Falvey, Jonny Rees and Charlie Higson-Smith.
