HONG KONG U19S AMASSING MOMENTUM IN MALAYSIA

14th Dec 2016

The Hong Kong U19s men’s rugby team is amassing momentum in Malaysia after manhandling Sri Lanka in a 61-0 mauling today at the UPM Sports Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

The win comes hot on the heels of a 54-8 win over Chinese Taipei in round one, as Hong Kong once again climbs to the top of the table at the Asia Rugby U19s championship.

Hong Kong’s route to a fourth straight Asian U19s championship will now go through a tough Malaysia outfit playing in front of their home supporters and Hong Kong coach Peter Drewett is mindful of the possibility of a slip-up.

“Malaysia is a really good outfit. They nearly beat Sri Lanka in the opening round and they have some very tough and physical forwards and a good back-line. We have been analyzing them carefully since that opening performance to ensure we are ready come Saturday.”

Sri Lanka was initially expected to be the main obstacle to Hong Kong’s title defence but today’s dominant performance put paid to the Islanders’ aspirations.

“We are very pleased with the performance put in by the boys today. The team has worked very hard over the last few days to prepare and I was delighted to see that training come out on the pitch. Sri Lanka is a very good side but we played without fear today.

“It was an all-out team performance. The forwards put in a huge work rate in the opening half and really established a good platform that the backs were able to exploit,” Drewett added.

Flanker Oliver Overman is making the most of his first U19s tour for Hong Kong turning in a hat-trick of scores in today’s eight-try rout. Winger Marcus Ramage, who has already been capped for Hong Kong in the recent Cup of Nations, added a brace while centre Cameron Smith, winger James Karton and fullback Matthew Worley all added tries.

“Oliver did a great job today. He is obviously relishing this opportunity. He is one of the younger players in the squad and that is exactly what we want from the younger players. He really played well today,” noted Drewett.

Racing 92 academy player Worley continues to impress, adding a try, four conversions and three penalties this afternoon, and staking Hong Kong out to a 13 point lead by the end of the opening quarter with a try in the third minute, which he converted, and two penalties by the end of the first quarter.

Worley’s 22 point-haul against Sri Lanka adds to his 17 points against Chinese Taipei in the opening round – coming from a try and six conversions, to bring him to 39 points, comfortably leading all scorers in the competition.

Hong Kong will play Malaysia in the final round on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur. The winner of the 2016 Asia Rugby U19s championship will represent the region at next year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy next August in Uruguay.

Results aside, Drewett is most pleased with the demeanour his charges are exhibiting in the competition.

“After today, the players immediately huddled and started to re-focus for Saturday. This is a really tight-knit unit and after the game they were talking about putting in two hard days of training, focusing on their recovery techniques and getting up again for Malaysia.

“Normally, it would be the coaches leading that but the boys are the ones coming up with it, which is hugely encouraging. The coaches are guiding them of course but it is gratifying to see these young players adapt to the demands of our high-performance environment,” Drewett added.

Hong Kong will enter Saturday’s match in fairly good health, considering the challenge of playing three top-flight matches in a matter of days. Lock Hugo Fernstrom picked up an injury in the opener but is rehabilitating in hopes of appearing in round three.

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