Societe Generale Valley will host Comvita City in the final KPMG Women’s Premiership match of 2016 on Saturday at Shek Kip Mei (18.00). The match is the sole fixture this weekend as the league’s national team players have been released from club duties ahead of next week’s Women’s Rugby World Cup qualifier.

Despite the international hiatus and some injuries, Valley is keen to take the pitch and further sharpen their sword for another tilt at the league and grand championship double after the break.

“We didn’t play last week, and don’t really want to stretch the break any longer than necessary,” said Valley coach James Elliot.

Valley have the second most internationals in the Hong Kong squad with six, trailing CPM Gai Wu Falcons with nine and ahead of Tigers with five.

“We are actually missing eight players to national duty – six in the senior squad and two of our girls are away with the Hong Kong U18 girls sevens in Dubai. Plus, we have eight injured players, so we only have 16 regular squad members to select from but we’re still confident about putting out a good team.

“It’ll be a challenge but it’s a good opportunity for some of our NL1 players to get experience. They are ready to step up – they have the experience and knowledge – they just need playing time,” Elliot added.

Valley will seek to resume the juggernaut performances that have them comfortably ahead of the rest of the league on the table and undefeated across the last two and a half seasons.

“Over the break, we’ll work on our fitness and train with the men’s side. Our goal is to strengthen how we play as a unit. We want everyone to be able to follow our patterns and to be on the same page - not relying on key individuals to execute moves,” said Elliott.

Valley will also look to get healthy over the break. “We’re looking after some niggling injuries, but after the break it’s full steam ahead,” said Elliot.

A battling City continues to throw their hearts into every fixture as they hunt for a first win to back up securing their first point on the table, a bonus point for a 12-5 loss to Kowloon, on their last outing.

As the Premiership enters the homestretch, coach Fung Kai-hang understands that his side, in its debut season in the top flight, is facing a long-term development process and gaining experience is his priority.

“We’ve learned a lot already this season, especially against the tougher teams. We’re growing and learning how to manage the pressure and intensity of Premiership rugby. The spirit is high throughout the squad as the players see that we are progressing,” said Fung.

With the spirit willing, Fung hopes that the flesh will be ready after the break: “We have a few injuries and hope to get to the break without any more, and then have everyone back in shape for the new year.”

Defence will be a key priority for the debutants in the second half of the season.

“That will be a focus for us. There has been improvement in how we react and adapt to changes and unexpected situations during play, but defence is an area I want to work on quite intensively. The contact area is our biggest problem and we’re focusing on the techniques needed there: the need to front up in the tackle and push the ball carrier back.

“Right now we’re too reactive and a bit heavy in our tackling. We’re pulling opponents down not tackling them, which allows them valuable yards. The players need time to change their mindsets; bad habits have developed over the last few seasons and we are working to eliminate them,” Fung said.

But Fung sees light at the end of the tunnel: “I definitely expect one or two wins in the back half the season. We have had two close games, where we lost in the final ten minutes. We just need to play at a consistent level for 80 minutes; 60 or 70 isn’t good enough. We need to build that mental toughness.”

City will have an ideal opportunity to turn things around against an under-strength Valley - and a chance that its first ever Premiership win could be the most impressive result recorded in the last two seasons of elite Women’s rugby.