Hong Kong’s sevens squads are on target for the cup semi final stages after a tough day at the China Sevens in Huizhou, the second of three events on the Asia Rugby Sevens Series.

The women beat Sri Lanka 22-7 to open the tournament but suffered a heavy 45-0 loss to China in their last pool match of the day. The men’s team emerged unbeaten after a physically gruelling day with 22-7 and 19-7 wins over the UAE and China. Another tough task awaits in tomorrow’s first hit-out against the Philippines, who round out the pool of death this weekend in Huizhou.

Raef Morrison made his impact felt in his first game back, scoring one and contributing to another of Hong Kong’s tries as they fought back from a 7-0 deficit against the UAE at half-time to win 22-7.It was a more challenging, if less physical, test in the final match of the day in what was effectively the pool decider against China.

Morrison was influential again, linking up well with fly half Russell Webb to score two quick tries and get Hong Kong off the mark with a 12-0 lead. The game waxed and waned in the middle periods, affected by the high temperatures and humidity this afternoon, but China eventually found space for its first try from speed merchant Shang Changshun, closing the gap to 12-7 at half-time.

The second half was similarly lethargic and frenetic in waves – and remained well in the balance, until veteran Salom Yiu Kam-shing dialled up some clever footwork at the base of an attacking ruck five metres out from China’s line to seal the win with his first try of the day, 19-7.

Hong Kong have done enough to finish as top seeds in Pool B, lining up a likely semi finals clash against Sri Lanka, who after not performing in Korea are firmly in the frame this weekend - while the Koreans, who pushed for the podium at home languish at the bottom of Pool A after their opening matches.

Coach Paul John was pleased and relieved to have emerged relatively unscathed after a trying day, saying, “It was a tough old day, the conditions were really hot and humid and playing in a massive stadium like that it was just a bit different from other events, but I’m pleased that the boys came through and did ok.

“We managed to get all of the boys involved and into it today and come through some hard games. Hopefully, we have some momentum building and we can carry that forward tomorrow. It was a good day, but tomorrow is all that counts,” added John.

The narrow pitch in China is contributing to teams playing a very physical and direct style of attack, and may have played a factor in Hong Kong’s loss to China in the women’s competition, while also likely playing a factor in Kazakhstan’s upset of Japan in pool play.

Hong Kong have set a target to bounce back strongly tomorrow morning against series newcomers Malaysia, said coach Iain Monaghan.

“The girls are disappointed certainly. We were second best in that game and we have to accept that.

“The game got away from us, as it can in sevens. We had a minute or 90 seconds when we lost our composure slightly and the score ballooned from 7-nil down to the 20s. These tournaments are proving to be really information and experience rich environments and it was another lesson for the girls, but that result was not a good reflection of their preparations or their efforts.

“Now we have to stake some pride in some key elements of our game. Some of our defensive sets against China were superb, but at this level, and against teams like that, you have got to have consistency.

“We came away seeing that when we keep hold of our possession we can play with anyone. But we have to put that game in the car park now, our challenge is to go three for three from our games tomorrow and get back to that position of building on day two,” added Monaghan.

Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Squad (13-woman, Huizhou, China, 14-15 Sept 2019): Melody Li Nim-yan (Captain), Natasha Olson-Thorne, Sham Wai-sum, Chloe Baltazar^, Jessica Ho Wai-on*, Au Yeung, Sin-yi; Poon Hoi-yan; Nam Ka-man, Chong Ka-yan, Stephanie Chan Chor-ki, Jessica Eden, Amber Tsang Wing-chi*, Agnes Tse Wing-kiu*              ^ First senior sevens cap; *Season debut

Hong Kong Men’s Sevens Squad (13-man, Huizhou, China, 14-15 Sept 2019): Max Woodward (Captain); Seb Brien*, Michael Coverdale, Jamie Hood, Lee Jones, Cado Lee Ka-to, Alex McQueen*, Raef Morrison*, Jack Neville, Hugo Stiles, Russell Webb, Yiu Kam-shing.  *Season debut