USRC Tigers roar in flying start to HKRU Premiership season

Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers, under new coach Craig Stewart, stormed to their first win in more than two seasons with a 26-14 victory over Natixis HKFC as the Hong Kong Rugby Union Premiership kicked off on Saturday.

“It was a really positive start to the season,” said Stewart. “We controlled the game throughout and when we had momentum, we kept it. We didn’t let them create anything.”

Tigers opened the scoring against HKFC in the fourth minute when prop Dan Barlow bulled over from in close.

Scrum-half Matt Price added the conversion and would go on to add three successful penalties in the first half alone en route to a man of the match performance.

HKFC and Hong Kong fly-half Niall Rowark uncharacteristically missed two kickable penalties to keep his side in contention early on.  

The other Premiership matches followed the form book with defending grand champions Societe Generale Valley and league winners Leighton Asia HKCC both winning.

HKCC turned away the challenge of Sabre Kowloon 26-10 to retain the Broony Quaich, Hong Kong rugby’s Ranfurly Shield-style competition.