Hong Kong win on return to test rugby

Pictures and report fromSouth China Morning Post

After three years of Covid-related inactivity, the shackles came off for Hong Kong’s women’s rugby team on Saturday as they earned victory over Kazakhstan.

Patience had been a watchword since their last outing in November 2019, and it was a hallmark, too, of their 31-17 triumph at Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground, in the first of two home tests.

Head coach Royce Chan Leong-sze would later describe the hiatus as “a grudge” and this match – her debut in charge – as a chance to “blow it out”. Joy unbounded among Chan’s squad at full-time testified to its release.

An even first half revealed signs of rust before the second brought rhythm and precision, Agnes Chan Tsz-ching’s late try ensuring the scoreline more accurately reflected proceedings.

Fly half Aileen Ryan’s opening penalty was rapidly eclipsed by a determined first quarter from the Kazakhs that brought tries for centre Lyudmila Sherer and full back Galina Krassavina. Hong Kong hit back, working an overlap on the right for Jess Eden to score.

Hong Kong’s Natasha Olson-Thorne is tackled during her side’s first outing in three years. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong’s Natasha Olson-Thorne is tackled during her side’s first outing in three years. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Camped in the visitors’ half and provoking repeat infringements, Hong Kong sought five points rather than three, almost getting them past a vulnerable-looking Kazakh left side before they switched flanks to send in full back Vivian Poon Hoi-yan at the corner.

They led 13-12 at the interval and straight after it battered away in front of the posts until the defence was sucked in sufficiently for Natasha Olson-Thorne to find a gap and touch down.

Her side were bossing the territorial battle and drawing errors from fading opponents, who found themselves scrummaging for their lives on their try line for an extended spell.

Kazakhstan’s kicking could not get them out of their half, allowing the Hongkongers to go again and again. Approaching the hour mark, the inevitable could be delayed no longer as another Hong Kong scrum feed offered a platform. This time, Eden would not be denied her second score of the afternoon.

A 23-12 lead for which they were good value was whittled away almost from the kick-off when a charge-down gave alert Kazakh wing Amina Tulegenova a simple run-in.

But it did not deter Hong Kong as Agnes Chan’s try and Ryan’s second penalty gave them breathing space.

“At half-time we re-emphasised our strengths,” said Royce Chan, adding that preparing for next Saturday’s second test at Hong Kong Football Club would start with mental recovery to “calm ourselves down”.

“It’s not going to be tactical or technical – the teamwork is there,” she said. “We did our first job; now can we do our second job better?”

Hong Kong Team: TSANG Hoi Laam, LAM Tim Yeung, Iris, NG Ki Sum, Roshini TURNER, CHOW Mei Nam, Chloe BALTAZAR, CHAN Tsz Ching, LAM Tsz Yan, HO Jessica Wai On, Aileen RYAN, Sabay LYNAM, QIAN Jiayu, Natasha OLSON-THORNE (cc), Jessica EDEN, POON Hoi Yan, Fion GOT, WONG Yuen Shan, LEE Ka Shun (cc), Micayla BALTAZAR, AU YEUNG Sin Yi, SO Yee Kei Cherly, Georgia RIVERS, Zoe SMITH

Kazakhstan Team: Yakaterina YUROVA, Kxenya KIM, Natalya KAMENDROVSKAYA, Marya GRISHINA, Karina SAZONTOVA (c), Lilya KIBISHEVA, Anna MELNIKOVA, Daiana KAZIBEKOVA, Alyona DROBOVSKAYA, Diana ABISHEVA, Veronika STEPANYUGA, Alina ASKEROVA, Lyudmila SHERER, Amina TULEGENOVA, Galina KRASSAVINA, Darya SIMAKOVA, Moldir ASKHAT, Karina TANKISHEVA, Svetlana MALEZHINA, Balzhan AKHBAYEVA, Milana ALAYEVA, Balzhan KOISHIBAYEVA, Anzhelika PICHUGINA