SCOTTISH OUT TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM AT HKFC IN SAXO CAPITAL MARKETS PREMIERSHIP

05th Oct 2018

The Saxo Capital Markets Premiership Game of the Week pits the HKRU’s last two unbeaten teams against each other as Natixis HKFC host Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish at Hong Kong Football Club tomorrow evening at 18.15.

 

In other Premiership action, Societe Generale Valley host Kerry Hotels Kowloon at 16.30, while Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay host another “home” match on neutral ground as they play Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers at So Kon Po due to the ongoing closure of Aberdeen Sports Ground, also at 16.30.

 

Scottish, who were active in the recruitment market in the off-season, have impressed with their strong start to the campaign, topping Grand Champions Valley in week one and adding a comprehensive win over Kowloon in round two.

 

Football Club claimed its first scalp over Sandy Bay at the Super Saturday kick-off, and then outlasted Tigers 15-12 in a defensive battle at Kings Park last weekend.

 

Scottish coach Craig Hammond knows exactly what to expect as his side travels to Sports Road for a battle of the last two undefeated Premiership sides.

“We’ve done a bit of homework on them, but it’s only a few games in. They have two good wins against top opposition; they like to throw the ball around; and they are a really tricky threat defensively.

 

“Football Club don’t make mistakes and are really strong across the board, even the guys not making the team are good players. They have strength in depth across their bench and they are going to test us.

 

“They’ll be a tough challenge, but we’re focusing on getting our house in order and our set piece functioning, so we can get over the gain line and score tries. We need to make sure we go there and get our basics right, and then we can see how we go. It’s as simple as that,” said Hammond.

 

A solid club culture has kept Scottish in the heat of the battle in previous seasons, even when the size of their army was impacted by injuries and unavailability.  This year’s intake of players has been key for the Shek Kip Mei side in welding strength in depth on to that solid club culture.

 

“The new guys have put their hands up and are putting pressure on other guys,” said Hammond.

 

“We’ve worked hard to get our balance right, to bring in the right people where we needed them and with a focus on bringing in good guys - on and off the field, that’s a big one for us.

 

“We’re improved up front. Bringing the likes of Dayne Janes over from Valley and prop Owen Evans in from Wales has improved our scrum and built a bit of depth throughout that area now as well.

 

“We also have a couple of guys in the backs that can really throw the ball around and are scoring score some good tries as well.

 

“We were able to meet and play with a few of the new guys on our pre-season tour to Scotland and we built those relationships on tour, as you do. That has helped early on. The guys have all gelled in really well.

 

“It’s the first time in a few years we’ve had a good start to the season. I’m pretty happy with the last few weeks, but it’s early days yet. We’ve got a good couple of games under our belt but we’re going to be tested on Saturday.”

 

Scottish will run out a similar squad to the group that has brought them early success to face that test. Dayne Jans returns from injury to start in the front row moving Lewis Anderson to the replacement bench. Nathan Tweedy starts in the back row in place of Luke Papworth and Asian Games Gold Medalist, Ale Nardoni, makes his way onto the replacement bench where he will be looking to make his first appearance of the season for Scottish. Welsh prop Owen Evans starts at loose head prop and former Scotland U20 utility back, Matt McPhillips starts on the wing in place of the injured Conor Hartley. 

 

“Everyone’s pretty fit and we’ve been able to be pretty consistent in selection. We now have some strength in depth of our own and a lot of competition for places in the squad, which is helping with training.

 

“Really, it is the senior players that are driving things now. The guys trying to make that November trip [ed note: RWC 2019 qualifiers] are putting their hands up and putting good performances in, and everyone else is following their lead.”

 

Hammond and HK Scottish will be hoping that they lead the club to the Saxo Capital Markets Premiership title this season.

 


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