CCC Slip Allows HKFC to Extend Lead in Premier Division

Lawn Bowls – Premier League

The effort of James Po from the Youth Development Team (delivering) is not enough to stop their opponents from the Hong Kong Football Club marking up a 7-1 victory in the Premier League Division 1 match last weekend, Sept 15. HKFC remain at the top of the table after the win. Stephanie Worth

HONG KONG—The defending champions Craigengower Cricket Club (CCC) suffered their second defeat of the season last Saturday, Sept 15, at Filipino Club, allowing the leaders Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) to extend their lead to nine points.

Typhoon Mangkhut bought beautiful sunshine to the territory before hitting Hong Kong hard on Sunday but all games (scheduled on Saturday) proceeded as scheduled over the weekend. This was good news for the teams as most of their games were washed away by heavy rainstorms the over last two weeks.

CCC travelled to lowly Filipino Club with an expectation to narrow the gap with HKFC.  They managed just a single victory with the rink skipped by Jordi Lo to finish the game 6-2.

HKFC played third-placed Youth team at home and only dropped a point on Anthony Yip’s rink.

Fourth-placed Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) beat second-from-bottom, Club de Recreio at home, 8-0 to maintain their pressure to the top teams.

After the game the lead of HKFC has increased to nine points and their game in hand is away to CCC, which is scheduled to be played this Saturday morning.  The game will have great significance in deciding the title but another key influence will be the games in the afternoon this weekend, when HKFC-A are due to host KCC and CCC entertain HKFC-B, with both leading clubs playing at home.

Club de Recreio returned to bottom of the standings after their 0-8 defeat by KCC. Kowloon Bowling Green Club are three points ahead of CdeR after defeating Tuen Mun Sports Association 6-2 at home.

For the women, the title-defending journey of Island Lawn Bowls Club also suffered a big blow when they lost 0-8 at home against KCC.  This slip revived the hopes of 2016 champions Shatin Sports Association as they triumphed at United Services Recreation Club 2-6.  The two teams are now level at the top but STSA are ahead with a better shot difference.

HKFC remain at third place despite losing 6-2 at CCC.  They are just four points from the top but with a game in hand.

Promoted Tseung Kwan O Bowling Club moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season after successive 6-2 victories against KCC and City Lawn Bowls Club.

This week in Lawn Bowls

The top-of-the-table clash between CCC and HKFC-A will be played at CCC this Saturday (Sept 22) at 10:00am, while all other games will start as usual at 2:30pm at all greens in Hong Kong.

Premier Division 1 League Tables

Claudius Lam is an officer of the Hong Kong Lawn Bowls Association.