HKRU Premiership sides share spoils in frenetic Stadium Showdown
- The action moves to Hong Kong Stadium for a thrilling day of action in the HKRU Premiership
Natixis HKFC and Societe Generale Valley’s men’s and women’s HKRU Premiership teams served up a fine afternoon of action in the Stadium Showdown at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday.
With 2,755 fans packing the lower bowl to watch the day’s action, top-ranked Valley women’s team did not disappoint as they beat Natixis HKFC Ice 25-5, while HKFC’s men’s XV fought back from a 17-3 second-half deficit to win 20-17 with a try in the 78th minute from Callum Hardie.
The treats came early for the spectators, many in Halloween costume, with a cracking women’s showcase as Valley led 12-5 after 40 minutes before extending the margin to 25-5 by full-time.
It was a frenetic start for Valley who had the best of the early scoring opportunities as they dominated the territorial stakes in the opening quarter.
HKFC’s defence was up to the task as Georgia Cutt and Cheryl Gourley lead the charge with some committed tackling to stop the Valley power duo of No 8 Olivia Coady and player coach Bella Milo at the source.
Both sides generated chances in the first half, but ultimately the defences were too strong and it would take individual flair to unlock the match. That came first from Milo who produced a captain’s try to open the scoring on 20 minutes when she wove her way through four defenders before thundering across the line left of the posts. Zoe Smith’s conversion pushed the lead to 7-0.
