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Paul McNamara

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.
But they came out with all guns blazing at Royal Thai Police Stadium, scoring 43 points against both Malaysia and Singapore but reserving their stand-out pool performance for a 61-0 crushing of the South Koreans.
Hong Kong’s women’s rugby sevens stars eye Olympics after Asian Games bronze
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.
In the final, Japan were a clear second-best to an unstoppable Hong Kong and did not come close to repeating their recent victory over them in Incheon.
Andy Vilk’s women’s team, meanwhile, produced arguably the result of the weekend, when they thrillingly toppled China 17-14 in a gripping semi-final.
It was a stunning turnaround from the 33-0 defeat Hong Kong suffered against the same opponents in their Asian Games semi, representing progress for a side who have tended to lose in the last four, typically to China or Japan.
The Hongkongers came up short in the final, losing 29-5 to Japan, who had inflicted their only pool-stage defeat.
Both the men and women received a boost before next month’s Olympic qualifiers in Japan as they clinched spots in next year’s second-tier Challenger Series, which offers promotion to the elite World Rugby Sevens Series.


Head coach switch designed to maximise Hong Kong ammunition for Rugby World Cup quest

Asia Rugby Sevens Series: ‘ruthless’ Hong Kong men lift cup, women proud after final loss

Asia Rugby Sevens Series: Hong Kong men storm into semi-finals, women make dramatic escape

Hong Kong rugby sevens add ex-GB star Robbie Fergusson to coaching team for Asia Series

Hong Kong Rugby Union

Asia Rugby Sevens Series: Hong Kong’s men win Bangkok leg after women lose final

Hong Kong’s women’s team, pictured in action in the Asian Games bronze final, made it a stage further in Bangkok. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong rugby sevens star Doherty on regaining his focus, Asian Games gold, and not getting stressed over Olympics bid

Hong Kong defended their Asian Games crown following an inspired final display from Liam Doherty. Photo: AFP

Liam Doherty scores against South Korea in the final of the Asian Games men’s rugby sevens tournament. Photo: Xinhua

Max Denmark scored the decisive try when Hong Kong beat Japan in a thrill-a-minute semi-final. Photo: SF&OC

Super Saturday fizzes on Hong Kong Premiership rugby’s return as 15-a-side fights to flourish in sevens-crazy city

Hong Kong Football Club shared a keenly fought battle with Valley in the opening game of Super Saturday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

All six Premiership teams played on the same day at King’s Park, in a bid to pique interest. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Jim Lauder of HKFC bulldozes over for Sunday’s first try, but some prefer free-flowing sevens. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sport

Rugby

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


The city’s men’s team beat Japan in their final, after the women produce a stunning improvement to overcome their mainland Chinese compatriots in the semis.


Asia Rugby Sevens Series

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

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