VALLEY NEXT SAXO PREMIERSHIP SIDE SEEKING TO STOP SCOTTISH SUPREMACY

18th Jan 2019

Societe Generale Valley are the next contenders to unseat Saxo Capital Markets Premiership leaders Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish at the top of the table in tomorrow’s Premiership game of the week. 

 

The fixture tops an entertaining Saxo ‘Super Saturday’ slate with all Premiership matches at Hong Kong Football Club. Scottish will open against Valley at 15.00, followed by Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers versus Kerry Hotel Kowloon (16.45), before hosts Natixis HKFC attempt to extend their stranglehold on second against Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay at 18.30.

 

Closing 2018 with some momentum and poised to make their traditional late season charge for league honours, Valley’s progress hit a speed bump with a 23-13 loss to a consistent HKFC outfit that have held off all comers below them on the table to maintain a firm grip on second place.

 

Third-ranked Valley will now have to move up the table the hard way as they seek to record a first win of the season over Scottish in their last meeting of the competition bar a potential face-off in the Grand Championships. 

 

Valley Director of Rugby Dean Herewini says that his side has shrugged off the loss to start the year and keen for the challenge ahead.

 

“HKFC are playing really well, so not to take anything away from them here, but I think that they got a jump on everyone after Christmas with a bit of extra training after the break. They had one more training than everyone else and after that game, we felt that that was what was missing for us, and that they were, ultimately, that one session sharper than us on the day.

 

“Despite losing and not getting a bonus point, our mindset is still really good and there was a positive vibe after. The players know it’s getting to the business end of the season and the senior leadership group is really stepping up to that challenge and setting the tone for the rest.

 

“We want to get back that momentum we had pre-Christmas, and to get back to what we were doing right, structurally and individually. We’re still in contention and the way the results are this season, everyone is going to need their calculators after Chinese New Year to figure out who is where on the table.”

 

Herewini acknowledges that getting a first scalp off of Scottish would be a big way to regain Valley’s momentum.

 

“100 percent. We left the last game with them at Shek Kip Mei feeling like we created most of the opportunities but we couldn’t take advantage of them. I know that Scottish are the form team and playing really good footy, but we felt that we lost that game more than we were beaten last time,” said Herewini.

 

“But that just goes to show you how hard they are to beat. When they are on they have a great set piece and lineout, and [flyhalf Gregor] McNeish controls their game well.

“They are the team that holds on to the ball for the longest periods in the league, so it just shows how important it is that when you do create those chances against Scottish, you take them, and you savour them, this season at least.”

 

Scottish will place the Broonie Quaich, the HKRU’s Ranfurly Shield style silverware, on the line for a second week running after holding off a challenge from Tigers last week in Shek Kip Mei, 31-14. The Quaich is contested at every home match by the holders and on all Super Saturdays throughout the season.

 

Coach Craig Hammond is under no illusions that there is a target on his side’s backs and that Valley will be aiming to hit their mark.

 

“It’s not getting any easier now. Six games to go and Valley up next, it just keeps getting harder and harder. It’s exciting but we have to keep pushing on, there’s still a lot for us to work on.

 

“Valley are getting better and better. Credit to the coaching staff there, they have kind of turned the corner and are playing some really attractive rugby. They are physical and dominant up front and we’ll have our hands full against them for sure.

 

“Ultimately though it’s about us, if we can get our house in order we will be in good shape. We’re looking forward to it. We pride ourselves on our defence and the guys are working hard for each other, which makes my life a lot easier.

 

“Defence is all about attitude and effort,” Hammond added.

 

As is winning games, and Hammond knows that his team will need to bring that attitude and effort to every match here on out to continue their wire-to-wire dominance of the Premiership this season.

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