ASIA RUGBY EMIRATES SEVENS SERIES LEG 2, RESULTS AND REPORTS

The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) 2025 concludes this weekend at the second and final leg, taking place from 18-19 October in Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the Racecourse Stadium.

Both Hong Kong China Men and Women are in great positions to qualify for World Rugby HSBC SVNS Division 3 2026, following the men’s win in the opening leg and the women’s bronze place finish (behind Japan and China who already hold positions in SVNS Division 1 and 2 respectively). The same expanded format of 12 women’s and 12 men’s teams go ahead in this final leg of the regional qualifiers, with the Asian Sevens Champions crown also up for grabs. 

Fans can read the full preview and see the confirmed squads here, watch all the action live and back (via Asia Rugby Live) and check out the full schedule and results (via Asia Rugby website). 

Reports and reaction for the Hong Kong China teams are shown below:

RESULTS - DAY ONE

Pool Match 1

• Hong Kong China Women 22-0 Singapore 
• Hong Kong China Men 33-12 Philippines 

Pool Match 2

• Hong Kong China Women 31-0 Sri Lanka 
• Hong Kong China Men 50-0 Korea

Pool Match 3

• Hong Kong China Women 5-12 Thailand
• Hong Kong China Men 38-10 Malaysia 

FIXTURES - DAY TWO

• To be determined at the end of the first day.

REPORTS AND REACTION

DAY ONE: MEN'S ACTION

Hong Kong China Men won all three pool games to progress to the Cup Semi-Final on Sunday chasing a place at HSBC SVNS Series Division 3.

Match 1: Hong Kong China Men 33-12 Philippines 

Hong Kong China Men did not start as expected, as the Philippines opened the scoring to lead 7-0. The team had to dig deep, and it was Julien Bourron who levelled it up with Callum McCullough getting the boys ahead 14-7 at the break in a tough contest in the opening half.

The boys didn't deal with the kick-off at times, and the Philippines scored from the restart within 30 seconds, with Hong Kong China leading by two points after the missed conversion. Once again, Bourron dotted down under the posts for the full seven points as the game ebbed and flowed. 

Bryn Philipps made it a more comfortable lead, and he slotted his own try for a 28-12 scoreline. There was a late yellow card for Juan Esono Mba Oyana, but Liam Herbert scored the side’s 5th try with great interplay from the boys, and they closed it out 33-12 to start proceedings with a victory in Colombo.

Match 2: Hong Kong China Men 50-0 Korea

An early set piece move saw Jack Combes play off the back of the scrum and release Liam Herbert for his second try of the day. Juan Esono Mba Oyana showed great feet to double the lead to 14-0 before Max Denmark secured his first try of the series on his return from injury, powering over on the wing. The side was in control with the 19-0 half lead and looked well on their way to securing their second win of the day.

Herbert scored another good solo try to kickstart the second half but Denmark was determined to match him and secured his second, as the two players who started their stints for the Hong Kong China 7s team at the same time, gave the men a comfortable 31-0 cushion.

Sebastian Brien set up the 5th try as Harry Sayers strolled over and Fong Kit Fung showed his power with ball in hand to take defenders with him over for a try. Sayers completed his double as the kick from Matthew Rickard brought up 50 points on the final whistle.

Hong Kong China Men 38-10 Malaysia 

More to follow.

DAY ONE: WOMEN'S ACTION

Hong Kong China Women won the opening two pool games before losing a close encounter with Thailand, but the results and the girls positive points differential means the team still progressed to the Cup Semi-Final on Sunday with a place at HSBC SVNS Series Division 3 still up for grabs. In the Semi-Final the girls will face a dangerous Japanese side who won when the teams faced off in the Semi-Final of Leg 1 in Hangzhou.

Match 1: Hong Kong China Women 22-0 Singapore 

Thailand's women started strongly in their opening match in the same pool beating Sri Lanka 43-0, and with a big showdown between the two sides coming at the end of the day, Hong Kong China Women were looking to rack up points early too.

Co-captain Chloe Chan went over within 30 seconds as the girls showed their intent to lead 7-0. There was a yellow card early for #3 Maggie Sin Yi Au Yeung after the Singapore player dropped as the tackle came in, but the team closed up and defended well while they were a player down.

After a tough, energy-sapping few minutes in which Hong Kong China did well not to concede any points, they also kept the pressure on Singapore. The other co-captain, Natasha Olson-Thorne, added a second try for a 12-0 lead at the break.

Chan got her double with an excellent solo finish, showing strength and speed, to get the second half underway as they started well again. Shanna Forrest added the team's fourth try as the girls did well to keep the opposition out through the match.

They might have liked more points on the board, but it was a good 22-0 win to start the day.

Match 2: Hong Kong China Women 31-0 Sri Lanka 

The home side was humbled by Thailand 43-0 in their pool opener, and Hong Kong China Women knew a win, but also points differential, was also going to be potentially crucial.

The kick-off from Hong Kong China was short and gave the Sri Lankans a chance to attack, but some loose passes and defensive pressure allowed our Leg 1 top scorer, Julia Mibuy Mba Oyana, to get her first try in Colombo and then a second as we led 12-0 early on. 

The girls forced errors from their opponents, and Chong Ka Yan added the team’s third and Gabriella Rivers a fourth before the break (26-0), as they were clinical in turning over possession and scoring points.

It remained scoreless for most of the second period, with the game played in the Sri Lankan half. Jessica Eden finally crossed over for the side’s 5th try and another clean-sheet win, 31-0. 

The final game is against rivals Thailand, with the winner topping the pool and the loser having to see if they qualify for the Cup Semi-Final as the best runner-up.

Match 3: Hong Kong China Women 5-12 Thailand

With the evening seeing rain at the venue, the wet ball was going to potentially cause both teams who like to pass the ball around, some problems. 

Hong Kong China Women did really well for the most part with handling the ball in slippery conditions and at the breakdown where they had the upper hand. Chong Ka Yan had a try scoring opportunity checked by the TMO but it wasn't awarded and the girls were denied scoring a couple of times as the match was played in the Thailand 22m area. The Thais then struck first late in the half to lead 5-0 at the break.

Thailand kicked long at the restart but the girls did really well to shift the ball and Julia Mibuy Mba Oyana broke free on the wing to run it in from 90 meters out to level the scores, pulling up injured as she crossed the line and leaving the field thereafter. Thailand then were next to score to regain the lead and Sabay Lynam made a fantastic try saving tackle to keep them in the match. However, Thailand struck again late in the game to win 17-5.

The result and positive points differential ensured Hong Kong Women do progress to the Cup Semi-Finals as best runner-up and will face Japan on Sunday.

More to follow.

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