Hong Kong fell to the USA 32-12 in the second round of pool play at the World Rugby U20 Trophy in Zimbabwe.Hong Kong pressed the Junior Eagles XV to the limit with the match only sealed by a two-try surge from the USA in the final quarter.

The USA took the lead in the 13^th minute after centre Brian Hannon broke the gain-line with a clever dummy before offloading to winger Travis Heer who crossed over untouched. Fullback Ben Cima added the extras with his conversion giving the US an 8-0 lead.

World Rugby are experimenting with new scoring systems at the World Rugby U20 Trophy with six points for a try and two for the conversion, penalties and drop goals are being scored as two points under the trial laws with penalty tries awarding eight automatic points without the need for conversions.

Hong Kong struck back five minutes later after Stiles opted to kick a penalty to the corner instead of going for goal. The pack executed a perfect catch and drive off the lineout to perch on the USA try-line. Alessandro Nardoni took the first pick and roll from the back but was stymied at the line with the ball coming out to hard-working flanker Jonathon Healy who quickly collected and burrowed his way across the line. Stiles’ conversion cannoned back off the upright, leaving Hong Kong adrift 8-6.

Superb handling from USA led to the next try of the game. The Junior Eagles produced offload after offload with the impressive Malon Al-Jiboori supplying the telling pass for number 8 and captain Hanco Germishuys to rampage his way over the try line for a 16-6 lead. Germishuys was in the thick of the action for the second game running in Zimbabwe, adding to his hat-trick of tries in round one with a brace against Hong Kong.

Hong Kong had another opportunity to reduce the margin late in the first half, advancing the ball to the USA try-line after the Junior Eagles were penalized six times in succession for infringing, eventually leading to a yellow card for the South African-born Germishuys a minute before the break. Frustratingly, Hong Kong were unable to score with the man advantage late in the half, a try that could have had a momentum lifting effect. The USA defence held strong and took a 16-6 lead into half-time.

Hong Kong had a superb start to the second half, enjoying significant periods of possession and consistently making the gain-line on phase play, but the USA defence was impenetrable until a great solo effort in the 57^th minute when centre Liam Owen showed great foot speed, negotiating a packed group of defenders from ten metres out for Hong Kong’s second try. Owens’ couldn’t convert his own effort leaving Hong Kong four points adrift entering the last quarter.

In the 61^st minute, Germishuys took it upon himself to make sure there wasn’t a repeat of Tuesday’s heartache for the USA, when the Junior Eagles lost their opening match to Namibia 46-44. Germishuys caught the Hong Kong defence napping, collecting his second try off of a quickly taken tap penalty five metres out and pushing the USA’s lead to 24-12.

Al-Jiboori concluded the scoring in the 68^th minute after Hong Kong failed to cleanly field an up and under on halfway. The ball fell to replacement prop Mason Pederson who expertly drew his man and passed to Al-Jiboori who had plenty of gas left in the tank to finish from 25 metres, putting the Eagles home 32-12.

Hong Kong coach Peter Drewett noted improvement in the second round saying, “The players made a step up from our first game and should be proud of their improved performance. They were disappointed not to get a result against USA and will be looking to eradicate any defensive errors against Namibia on Wednesday.”

“This has already been an outstanding tournament for player development and the players are benefiting greatly from the experience so far,” Drewett added.

In other tournament results, Samoa beat Fiji 32-8 in a match refereed by Hong Kong’s top match official Tim Baker. Uruguay beat Zimbabwe 50-22 while Spain beat Namibia 40-22. Spain and Samoa currently top their pools.Hong Kong’s final pool match will be against Namibia on Wednesday, 27 April, before the final placing games are held on Saturday, 1 May. Hong Kong are still hunting for their first win on ten outings at the World Rugby U20 Trophy.