he Hong Kong Men’s Sevens team beat defending champions Shandong 26-19 in a tense and exciting finale to the Rugby Sevens competition at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China. Hong Kong’s women’s squad bounced back from a tough opening day to claim 5th place with a convincing win over Shanghai.
Fueled by a deafening 20,000 strong crowd cheering for their hometown heroes, the defending Asian Games gold medallists Hong Kong outlasted a Shandong team stocked with China national sevens players in a tense 26-19 victory in the gold medal game.
In the first half, Hong Kong’s pressure defence forced Shandong into early mistakes as the home team enjoyed the run of play. Hong Kong’s first try came in the fourth minute when Fong Kit Fung crossed the line with Bryn Phillips converting to bring the score to 7-0. Liam Herbert scored Hong Kong’s second in the sixth minute, a just reward for some strong defending that kept Shandong from scoring on two potential breakaways on his wing.
Shandong made their first sustained trip to the Hong Kong half count when they bulldozed through the tackle of Julien Bourron to score beneath the posts with the successful conversion pulling Shandong close at 12-7. Hong Kong nearly scored a third try at the end of the half, but time ran out on their attack leaving the game in the balance.
As expected, Shandong came out hard in the second half and put the home team under real pressure. An offsides penalty and another turnover in Hong Kong’s half helped Shandong take the lead at 14-12 with four minutes left.
Bourron more than made up for his earlier missed tackle when he scored the game winner beneath the posts to reclaim the lead, 19-14, with two minutes left.
With Hong Kong back on the front foot, a fatal Shandong miscue saw the ball bounce across the try-line for veteran sevens star Cado Lee Ka-to to touch down and push Hong Kong’s lead to 26-14. A consolation try for Shandong in the dying seconds closed the final gap to 26-19 but it was too little too late as Hong Kong celebrated its golden moment.
“It was more dicey than we were hoping for, but I guess it makes it more exciting for the crowd,” said a relieved captain Seb Brien after the match.
“The stadium was packed, and everyone was really pumped. Shandong made it tough for us like we knew they would, but we were able to grind out the win. It’s massive. The build-up all over the city was amazing. This moment has been in the back of our minds all season. We always talk about wanting to inspire the next generation, and I think we did that tonight,” he added.
“This is a significant moment,” agreed squad veteran Cado Lee Ka-to.
“We all wanted to win the gold in our home stadium and when we did it, we were all very happy. I’m very satisfied with my try. I always wanted to score a try at Kai Tak Stadium. I didn’t get a chance in the first four games, and I am glad I got the chance today to do it, and to help my teammates get the win, but it’s not an individual effort but the whole team effort.
“It was incredible to see so many people coming to watch us in the final, and they can all see just how much progress Hong Kong rugby has made. I hope this sparks curiosity and interest for kids to try rugby and that some can move up the ranks and play for Hong Kong one day also,” added Lee.
The Hong Kong Women’s Sevens team also finished strong with a convincing 24-7 win over Shanghai to claim fifth place. After dropping their opening day matches, Hong Kong never looked back, winning three games in a row.
The women were in search of a fast start and they delivered, jumping out to a 17-0 lead after a first half where they dominated possession and territory.
Julia Mibuy Mba Oyana struck first for Hong Kong in the fourth minute, collecting her 7th try of the tournament to lead all Hong Kong scorers. Chong Ka Yan followed up with the team’s second score in the sixth minute after a clever dummy pass and sidestep created the gap for her own try.
The conversion from Jessica Ho Wai On was good as Hong Kong’s senior leaders ensured that the game was put out of reach.
Melody Li Nim Yan nabbed the team’s third score to give Hong Kong a 17-0 lead at half-time. It was a special moment for Li, one of two veterans of the 13th edition of the National Games in the squad, and a former co-captain who recently returned to the team after taking a season off to have a baby.
“I’m happy and excited to be back with the team,” said Li.
“I enjoy playing with my mates and being in this environment so much. It took me some time to get back to playing, but my family, coaches and teammates supported me and I’m so happy to be playing in this big moment at home.
“In 2013, I was a newbie but now I’ve been playing for a long time. It’s even more special to be playing in this tournament and in Hong Kong as we don’t often have opportunities to play at home like this.
“It’s getting so much more competitive, the girls are more physical and even the younger girls have much more big match experience now. The competition for places is getting much harder,” said Li.
The second half was more of the same with Hong Kong forcing Shanghai to defend its try-line from the kick-off. The pressure soon told as Jess Eden produced a silky pop pass to Jessica Ho Wai On for a try beneath the posts. Hong Kong pushed its lead to 24-0 after Ho’s conversion.
Shanghai collected a consolation try late to close the gap to 24-7 but Hong Kong refused to allow any further scoring.
“We aimed for the medals. We didn’t make it, and we were disappointed but at least we finished strong and hopefully we can keep that momentum going. Today we challenged ourselves to score first because we hadn’t done that in any of our games, and we achieved that.
“In 2013 we were still part-time, a lot of us were working and putting in our own time to train, and the resources were not as much as now that we are full-time. We have improved a lot since 2013 and we are just grateful to be in this team and to showcase who we are, and I’m very proud and happy to play here tonight with my baby and family in the crowd watching me,” added Li.
