BELGIUM WOMEN 7-15 HONG KONG CHINA XVs SELECT MATCH REPORT

Hong Kong China Women's XVs Select Clinch the 3 Lander Cup

The Hong Kong China Women's XVs Select beat Belgium 15-7 in the final match of the uncapped international triangular series to lift the 3 Lander Cup (3 Nations Cup) in Germany on Saturday 22 November at Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark, Heidelberg, in a match that played out in tough below-freezing temperatures.

Hong Kong China had beaten Germany in the opening match 12-10 before the Belgians ran out 23-0 winners against the tournament hosts midweek.

The Select team showed a number of new combinations again, and several players ran out for a Hong Kong China Women's 15s match for the first time. Hong Kong China were the higher-ranked side at 16th, while Belgium is ranked 24th. The Europeans were using this as a platform before they compete in the Rugby Europe Championship which starts in March 2026.

The wholesale changes to the starting 15 for the match allowed all the players on tour to get an opportunity to play. The front row was all changed, with co-captain Kea Herewini starting alongside Tsang Hoi Laam and Leung Choi See. 

Roshini Turner again started in the second row and was partnered by Sabrina Chung (who came off the bench in the opening match). The loose trio were all new too, with Ho Hau Yan, Jenna Potgieter and Fu Tiffany Hiu San starting.

The new scrumhalf and fly half combo saw Li Sze Ting and Montana Heslop partner, with co-captain Fung Hoi Ching having moved to centre alongside Abigail Chan, as part of a new backline with the wings being Shek Ching Yi and Ho Tsz Wun and Ella Lynam starting at fullback.

In the match, Belgium opened the scoring to lead 7-0 through a try from right wing Romaine Yserbyt, which was converted by flyhalf Lara Steurs, and that's how it stayed until half time in a close physical game.

In the second half, much like in the opening fixture, the Hong Kong China women showed their resolve and class to score three unconverted tries and run out 15-7 winners, with the scores coming from fullback Ella Lynam, substitute Zoe Teece and Saracens-based second row Roshini Turner.

Lead Senior Coach Tumua Ioane said, “I am unbelievably proud of the group, with lots of changes made to the lineup, but again, they were totally committed to each other and found a way to win after a tough first half in which we were 0-7 down. The group knew what we needed to do to get back into the game, and we played in the right areas and put pressure on their set piece. 

"I am proud of the girls for coming from 0-7 down and scoring three unconverted tries to turn it around in that second half, in what was another resilient performance for the win. It's a new group and a young group, and one that was committed.

“It is a credit to coaches Conor Joyce and Kevin Moggridge in terms of our lineout and scrum to win us penalties and get us turnovers on their ball to continue applying pressure.”

This article was posted in collaboration with our good friends at RugbyAsia247 – check them out for all the latest Asia Rugby news!