Hong Kong men and women build momentum as all-powerful Japan complete Sri Lanka Sevens double
Asian powerhouses Japan beat a determined Hong Kong at the Sri Lanka Sevens on Sunday to win back the regional men’s sevens crown they lost to their Cup final opponents last year.
Asian powerhouses Japan beat a determined Hong Kong at the Sri Lanka Sevens on Sunday to win back the regional men’s sevens crown they lost to their Colombo Cup final opponents last year.
Hong Kong finished second in the tournament and claimed runners-up spot in the 2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Series for men, ahead of South Korea and Sri Lanka.
The Hong Kong's women's seven claimed third place in Colombo to tie Japan and China on 14 points at the top of the overall standings for the 2015 Asia Rugby Women's Sevens Series.
We are extremely proud of the women’s team. They have battled for a few years ... and while some of the results didn’t go our way they are in a good position now for the [Rio Olympics] qualifiers
But with overall points difference being the deciding factor to determine who would be crowned regional champions in a three-way tie, Hong Kong (+165) finished third overall behind Japan (+302) and China (+232).
A brave fightback by the men's seven was not enough against the Brave Blossoms’ size and speed advantage, and Japan ran out 29-22 winners in a five-tries-to-four pressure-filled match.
Hong Kong's Alex McQueen opened the scoring, running in the first of a brace, but Japan replied minutes later and quickly took control of the first half.
McQueen got his second just before half-time to take Hong Kong into the break 17-12 down but very much still in the match.