Asia Rugby Sevens Series: Hong Kong’s men win Bangkok leg after women lose final
- Men’s team follow up their Asian Games gold with victory over Japan in Thailand
- The city’s women’s team, who won bronze at the Games in Hangzhou, overcome China in their semi-final in Bangkok before Japan prove too good
Hong Kong’s men’s team blitzed all-comers to win their Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Bangkok on Sunday – and banish the disappointment of a rare defeat in the competition two months ago.
Fresh from retaining their Asian Games crown three weeks ago, head coach Jevon Groves’ team were ruthless in outplaying Japan to win the final 26-12, following a succession of heavy victories earlier in the tournament.
Two months ago in South Korea, they had lost a leg of the series for the first time in more than three years, surrendering a 22-match undefeated run in the process.
And Hong Kong maintained that momentum in the semi-finals on Sunday, scoring 50 unanswered points against United Arab Emirates – the only team to prevent Groves’ side from winning a match across last year’s three series legs when they forced a draw in Incheon.
