The KPMG Women’s Premiership Development teams will take the spotlight when Transact24 Tai Po Dragons host SCAA First Pacific Causeway Bay Phoenix in the game of the week tomorrow at HKIED at 17.30.

Kowloon will play City in the other bracket of the four-team Premiership Development, at So Kon Po at 18.00, while the top flight sees ECO Gai Wu Falcons, fresh from their inspirational defeat of Societe Generale Valley last weekend, taking on third-ranked Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers at 16.30 at Aberdeen – preceded by Valley versus Natixis HKFC Ice at the same ground at 15.00.

Tai Po has enjoyed the run of results since the eight-team Women’s Premiership split into two competitions in November, turning in four straight wins to top the table by nine points over Kowloon. All eight KPMG Women’s Premiership sides will regroup for the Grand Championship play-offs after the league season concludes next weekend.

Tai Po, who returned to Premiership competition this season after a year in the lower leagues, are the only undefeated side in either premiership competition heading into the penultimate match of the season. Coach Tsang Hing-hung believes that the fruits of that tough decision to take a year off to regroup are being seen now.

“The last two years were a planned development phase for the club. Many of the girls were young and a bit green. We needed time to develop them further, and that year in National League 1, which is still a very high standard, was important for us.

“The results so far showed that our team has re-built as I had hoped, and were ready to return to the Premiership. Our performances are showing the work that has been put in by the club and the players.”

“I’m excited; I think they’re not reaching their target yet, and can go a lot further. If we can strengthen our defence, then I think we can consistently chase the top four teams,” said Tsang.

But up first is Causeway Bay and Tsang is concerned about whether his team can maintain their momentum.

“I am a bit worried about this game. If we lose, we have to face Kowloon, and we might not finish at the top of our Premiership division, which is something that we really want to achieve for a better placing in the grand championship play-off.

“We are going to have to focus heavily on our defence. They have some strong ball carriers and are also strong in the ruck, so our defence is key. On attack, we are confident in our patterns and will make what we can of situations that come along, but everything has to build from a good defence and that is what we have focused on in training,” said Tsang.

Dragons’ will be missing three players on national sevens duty in Fiji with Ivy Kwong Sau-yan, Agnes Chan Tsz-ching and Vivian Poon Hoi-yan, who is making her senior debut, all unavailable.

Causeway Bay lost their earlier meeting with Tai Po in the development grade 22-5 in early December but showed signs of their customary prowess after beating higher-ranked Kowloon 24-10 last weekend.

Coach Chris Lin was pleased to see some confidence returning in his team’s performance.

“In the last game against Kowloon, we were much improved and much more confident. Our patterns are more aligned with our player’s capabilities, and the players know their positions now, so we got the win. Tsang Siu-ching played particularly well in that game and lifted our team to another level, but unfortunately she will miss this week’s game.

“Tai Po will be tough, but we are also improving, so it should be a good game. They are missing players with the sevens while we don’t have that issue. I expect their backs will play a leading role in the game, with a lot of kicking for possession. They have some good kickers, which we lack, and they are aggressive on defence,” said Lin.

“Our aim is to finish second, so a point from this game is important. We are going to be looking for four tries. After the Kowloon game, the team feels more comfortable now and feel they are back on track,” said Lin.

In the KPMG Women’s Premiership Falcons will look to maintain their slim hold on the top spot as they sit on 16 points with Valley on 15 points entering the penultimate weekend of the regular season.