HONG KONG—Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC consigned Societe Generale Valley to their first defeat of the season winning 15-10. It was Valleys first defeat in the Premiership since January this year; and first home defeat since the season before that! Unusual territory for Valley but HKCC did enough to deserve victory and heighten the competitiveness of the Premiership this season.
In fairness, both sides were without key players; and then unfortunately for Valley the unfamiliar player combinations did not work effectively enough. HKCC edged the forward battle, dominated lineouts, and their flyhalf/scrumhalf combination of Jason Kjestrup and Liam Slatem controlled possession and dictated play more assuredly than their Valley counterparts.
It was a dogged first half. HKCC won the possession and territory battle, but both teams squandered kickable penalties.
A harsh yellow card against Valley centre Ally Maclay, towards the end of the half, gifted HKCC a man advantage, which would proved expensive for Valley. HKCC immediately capitalized on their numerical superiority with winger, Rowan Varty, scoring in the far left corner. The conversion was missed, but HKCC had a vital confidence boost going into half time.
HKCC continued in the second half, where they left off in the first, with an incisive break finished by Liam Slatem who out-sprinted the Valley defense to score by the posts. It was an easy kick for fullback James Love, and extended the HKCC lead to 12-0.
Doug Fluker, the Valley fullback soon reduced the deficit to 12-3 with a penalty to bolster Valleys’ confidence, but despite much huff and puff in the second half, Valley was unable to dent the HKCC defense.
In final 5 minutes, Love restored HKCC’s 12 point margin with a penalty making the score 15-3, and seemingly putting the game out of Valleys reach, only to see Valley respond with a lightening try by winger Jean-Baptiste Aldige, duly converted, to reduce the deficit to 15-10.
With a minute on the clock, it was mathematically possible for Valley to snatch a most unlikely victory, but HKCC held firm, and celebrated victory once they bundled Valley into touch. Final score 15-10 to HKCC: Valley earned a losing bonus point to salvage some pride for their effort, but bragging rights go to HKCC.
It was not an attractive game to watch: but HKCC will be pleased with victory, looked the sharper of the two sides and know, that this season, Valley can be beaten.
In other Premiership matches, Natixis HKFC continued to build momentum in the league with a 29-13 win over Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers: and Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish beat Kowloon 28-13.
After Round 4, Valley still lead with 14 points (3W, 1L, 2BP’s); HKCC is 2nd on 11 points (2W, 2L, 3BP’s); Scottish 3rd with 10 points (2W, 2L, 2BPs); HKFC 4th on 9 points (2W, 2L, 1BPs); Tigers 5th with 8 points (2W, 2L) and Kowloon 5th with 4 points (1W, 3L).
Grahame Carder is a sports enthusiast, former player and now resident in Hong Kong.
