The 2015/16 domestic youth rugby season has now come to an end – and as usual it has been a packed 7 months at all age grades, with plenty of fun, friendship, and fantastic rugby played along the way!

The Richard Hawkes Trophy for the Under 12 Minis saw 360+ boys in 20 teams from 10 clubs play the whole season and finish spectacularly with a final day of top quality rugby.

The Shield was won by HKUSB4 1-0 over the Discovery Bay pirates 2, after beating them 4 - 0 in the pool stages - a much improved performance from DB! The Bowl was won by HKFC 2 4-0 Against USRC Tigers 2; a game too far for the Tigers after their epic battle with Valley3 in the semi.

The plate final between USRC Tigers 1 and HKUSB 1 saw the Tigers prevail 2 - 1. A thrillingly close encounter that could have gone either way. A returned kick, ran in to space, with the greatest dummy ever seen at U12 level allowing the Tiger's wing a straight sprint for the try!

Worth noting that all of the games between the top six sides were decided by 1 try!

Although the top six were close indeed, the Final, it has to be said went with the form guide, with Hong Kong Football Club 1 Vs Discovery Bay Pirates 1.Before this final Football Club had taken 1 cup and Discovery Bay 3. There was nothing between the 2 teams for most of the game... But the hard work and consistency of the Pirate machine paid off as they managed the only try of an outstanding encounter.

Meanwhile 8 clubs entered the Kim Lam Cup for U12 Girls this season, including Tsuen Wan Rhinos, the first local club to join the competition.The Cup was won by HKFC1 in a great final against their close rivals HKUSB1, while Valley Fort3 took the Plate, winning in extra time against HKFC2.

The Standard Chartered Boys Colts Leagues were, as always, very competitive all the way from Under 13s up to Under 19s, and there were 20 Grand Championship Finals to end the season…results below…

Standard Chartered Colts Grand Championships Results

The Girls Youth season commenced with 15s leagues running through until January; a total 14 teams participated with a number of combined sides, and the silverware went to DB Pirates/SL Buffalos at U14 age grade, while HKU/Sandy Bay won the U16 Grand Championship, and the Sai Kung Stingrays/USRC Tigers/HKFC combination took home the U16 League and the U19 League and Grand Championship.

In the second half of the season attention turned to Sevens, and 25 teams enjoyed 3 monthly tournaments in January, February and March, with the Pirates again enjoying success at U14 level.

Attention now turns to two of the major annual youth competitions, the Standard Chartered International Youth 7s and the All Girls Tournament.

The International Youth 7s will be held on Thursday 7^th April at King’s Park Sports Ground, running alongside the Women’s Sevens.Teams from China, Macau, Singapore and UAE will join the best local teams to compete at U14, U16 and U19 age group.

Download Standard Chartered International Youth Tournament schedule

The All Girls Tournament this year will be held on Saturday 23^rd April at King’s Park, and as always will showcase the strength of the girls game in Hong Kong from minis up to senior level…

And finally, as always a huge collective thanks to all the volunteer coaches, managers, committee members, referees, medics, parents and of course players who make our youth rugby community the envy of the world…for those who have an “off season”, enjoy it, and see you back next season!