Penguins clinch title after extra time head-to-head battle with Samurai in Tens final
UK-based touring side score winning try in the second period of extra-time to seal one of the most physically draining victories seen at the GFI HKFC 10s
Penguins beat Samurai 5-0 with a try in the second period of extra-time to win one of the most physically draining finals ever seen at the GFI HKFC 10s.
After more than 30 minutes of scoreless 10-a-side action, Waikato flanker Josh Tyrell picked up a loose ball following a line-out near the Samurai line and powered over in the second five-minute period of extra-time, following two 12-minute halves where both teams cancelled each other out.
We lost a couple. They also lost a couple. Both teams were battling out there and it was a good, tough final
In a rematch of the 2013 final that Penguins won with a late end-to-end try, the historic UK-based touring club prevailed again and prolonged the heartbreak for Samurai, who have now lost in three finals in 10 appearances at the GFI HKFC 10s at the Hong Kong Football Club.
Scott Waldrom, who was capped by the All Blacks, co-coached the third seeds with long-time Penguin playmaker Willie Walker, who moved into a coaching role after competing in last year’s GFI HKFC 10s.
“I’m just really proud of the boys,” Waldrom said. “We went from one metre from our own goal line to come all the way down the other end to score in some pretty tough conditions. There will be some pretty tired boys out there.
“It was such a stalemate because you had two very similar teams. We both had some good front-rowers, some solid locks and some good bench, so it was much of a muchness and that’s probably why the game went on so long.”
