Hong Kong U19s survive Sri Lanka scare to stay perfect in Singapore
Hong Kong’s junior national side needed a late rally to defeat Sri Lanka 24-13 in the second round of the Asia Rugby U19 Championship in Singapore on Wednesday.
Hong Kong’s junior national side needed a late rally to defeat Sri Lanka 24-13 in the second round of the Asia Rugby U19 Championship in Singapore on Wednesday.
Reigning champions Hong Kong were severely tested by the 2014 runners-up in what was – barring an upset Saturday when bottom-placed Singapore play Hong Kong – the de facto final for the competition.
Hong Kong emerged as deserved winners in a tight contest at Yio Chu Kang Stadium, despite holding just a one-point lead (14-13) entering the final five minutes of the match.
The juniors failed to fire in attack in muddy conditions but put in an impressive defensive performance as Sri Lanka’s pacey backline kept up sustained periods of pressure right from the opening whistle.
Hunkered down in Hong Kong’s half for the first 10 minutes, Sri Lanka were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts but Thuwan Reeza Raffaideen missed the kick – an early indication of what was to come as the fullback finished just one from five with the boot.
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After being let off the hook Hong Kong resumed normal service with fly-half Hugo Stiles, winger Hugo Chui Ho-ching and centre Matt Worley all figuring prominently in contributing to a 14-8 lead at half-time.
Worley put Hong Kong on the board after finishing a good passage of play by the back three.
Fullback Liam Owens corralled an errant Sri Lankan box-kick and quickly put width into the counterattack with a delightful long pass to Chui, who accelerated through the gap before offloading to Worley who sprinted 30 metres to collect his third try of the championship.
Sri Lanka brought the score to 7-3 before Hong Kong’s two Hugos combined for what must be a contender for try of the tournament.
Hong Kong gained possession off a scrum 10 metres from the Sri Lankan line and Stiles showed great vision with a cross-kick into the arms of an on-rushing Chui who showed deft touch to dot down just in front of the dead ball line.
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Another Stiles conversion gave Hong Kong a 14-3 lead, but Sri Lanka struck back quickly following a second sustained attack which was finished by number eight Omalka Gunaratne who crashed over near the posts from the base of a ruck.
Sri Lankan spirits were lifted further after they started the second half camped in the opposition half, but with their backs against their own try-line the Hong Kong forwards were immense in defence and kept the junior Tuskers off the scoreboard.
That passage of play was emblematic of a day when Sri Lanka had the sharper attack but lacked execution, though they finally found a gap in Hong Kong’s armour as their wing and fullback turned on the afterburners to score their second try.
Undeterred, Hong Kong calmly marched back up the pitch, controlling the ball – and the clock – for an extended passage of play deep in Sri Lanka’s half. The pressure was rewarded with a penalty-try after repeated infringements by Sri Lanka at a five-metre scrum.
Stiles converted to give Hong Kong some breathing room at 21-13, and he added a late penalty to put Hong Kong in the clear. That last kick was Stiles’ fourth success of the day, giving him nine points and bringing his tournament record to 14 of 15 with the boot.
The win extended Hong Kong’s lead at the top of the championship standings with nine points, followed by Sri Lanka on five, Taiwan on four and Singapore on one.
