ASIA RUGBY SEVENS SERIES LEG 3 - RESULTS AND REPORTS
[10 Nov 2024] Hong Kong China Men's and Women's 7s have headed to Bangkok, Thailand, this weekend for the third and final leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2024 (view squads). You can also check out the write up from the first leg and from the second leg, which have placed both teams in a strong position to secure qualification to the HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025. The qualification spots are allocated as follows:
In the men’s competition, the top two sides at the end of the competition will qualify for the Challenger
In the women’s competition, as both Japan and China have qualified for the SVNS Series 2024-2025, the top sides at the end of the competition (apart from the SVNS qualified teams) will earn qualification to the Challenger
Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Leg 3 – Results
Saturday 9 November
Hong Kong China Men 22-7 Singapore
Hong Kong China Women 45-0 Kazakhstan
Hong Kong China Men 49-0 Malaysia
Hong Kong China Women 43-0 UAE
Hong Kong China Men 50-0 Korea
China Women 29-19 Hong Kong China
Day 1 – Stream (can be watched back anytime)
Sunday 10 November
Hong Kong China Men 26-5 China (Cup Semi-Final)
Hong Kong China Women 10-14 Japan (Cup Semi-Final)
Hong Kong China Men 26-15 Japan (Cup Final)
Thailand Women 24-5 Hong Kong China (3rd Place Final)
Day 2 – Stream (can be watched back anytime)
DAY TWO REVIEW - MEN'S AND WOMEN'S 7S BOTH QUALIFY FOR WORLD RUGBY CHALLENGER SERIES
DAY ONE REVIEW - BOTH TEAMS REACH CUP SEMI-FINALS
The Boonyachinda Thai Police Stadium proved to be a happy hunting ground for both the Hong Kong China Men's and Women's 7s squads on Saturday 9 November 2024.
Both teams delivered exceptional performances throughout the day. They collectively won five out of six games, had debutantes score their first tries, and both teams reached the Cup Semi-Finals at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Bangkok 7s.
Paul John, Head Coach of the Hong Kong China 7s Programme, said of the opening day's play:
"The boys had three really solid performances, scoring some very good team tries and only conceding the one try in the first game. The senior boys also led really well to help our debutants get a chance to make an impact.
"The girls have done really well to secure qualification. In each of the first two matches, they scored over 40 points and were really ruthless. They won some very good kick-offs, scored some great tries, and defended very well in not conceding a try in either match.”
He added “It has been a very good Day 1 for both teams in securing Challenger qualification. The coaches have done an excellent job in preparing the squad, not only for this Thailand leg, but also throughout the Asian Series.”
Hong Kong China Men 22-7 Singapore
Harry Sayers got the opening score for the Hong Kong China men on a sweltering hot and humid day after a great break and an around the defender’s back pass from Liam Doherty put him through to lead 7-0.
Max Denmark scored first of plenty on Saturday with the sides’ Movember moustaches in full flow.
James Christie added a 3rd before the half for a 17-0 lead, and Denmark got his double to start the half and open the lead to 22-0.
Unfortunately, a dangerous tackle from Juan Esono Mba Oyana saw him leave the field with a red card and Singapore scored after the hooter for a 22-7 final score win.
Hong Kong China Women 45-0 Kazakhstan
Natasha Olson-Thorne secured a early trademark turnover which shifted defence to attack in the Kazakhstan match. A win over the rivals would effectively end their chances of qualifying for the Semi-Finals and Challenger qualification.
The team had some excellent offloads in the contact areas which resulted in the first of several Ka Yan Chong tries.
The women attacked the fringes well, and with sniping runs and quick hands, Sabay Lynam added the team's second to lead 10-0.
They were clinical at restarts, and Natasha Olson-Thorne claimed the ball to run in a third. Well after the hooter, Lynam scored her second for a 22-0 halftime lead.
A wonderful set move with a short running line off a scrum saw Gabriella Rivers power over as the side put on a dominant display.
Ka Yan Chong scored two more late on to secure a hatrick and claim a big win.
Hong Kong China Men 49-0 Malaysia
Bryn Phillips got the opening score under the posts and converted his own before Sayers claimed the restart and passed to Ka To Cado Lee, who added a quick second try to lead 14-0.
Denmark pounced with a quick-fire double and Doherty another try for a 35-0 halftime score.
With the side winning the restarts, Julien Bourron scored his first senior sevens try and converted, with Doherty capping off a great game with a great try.
Hong Kong China Women 43-0 UAE
Lynam opened the score to nab her 3rd try of the day, with Ka Yan Chong scoring shortly thereafter. Not be outdone, Lynam added scored again to put them in command before completing her hatrick after the hooter secured a 29-0 halftime lead.
Ka Yan Chong and Jessica Wai On Ho added more points in the second half for a comfortable win.
Hong Kong China Men 50-0 Korea
A dominant display from the men saw them beat perennial threats Korea with a resounding 50-0 in their biggest win of the day.
To cap it off, debutantes Blake Elliot and Wesley Yuk Shing Ng both scored their first senior tries.
China Women 29-19 Hong Kong China
In what was expected to be the toughest pool encounter, Olson-Thorne opened the scoring and Lynam prevented a try with a great cover tackle, but eventually the Chinese got over the line to tie it up.
A great solo break by Ka Yan Chong saw them retake the lead, but China struck back with two scores just before the break to have a narrow 17-14 lead.
Hong Kong China Women edged ahead thanks to an Olson-Thorne score but China bounced back wit two more of their own to beat the girls 29-19, but it was fantastic effort.
Debutants for the Men
Paul John explained of the five debutantes, “The coaches showed confidence in our debutants, as they trained well with the senior group over the last month.
"In particular, Blake (Elliot) and Julien (Bourron) dictated the tempo and tactics in the third game from half back, which was great to see. It was also great to see Wesley (Shing) get on the score sheet; he has worked hard and really matured over the last six months."
Semi-Final Qualification and Reaching the Challenger
The men’s team will face China on Sunday in the Cup Semi-Fnal while our women’s team take on Japan.
John confirmed both sides had already achieved one goal of playing in the HSBC Challenger series.
“Reaching the Challenger was the obvious goal for the series. The boys have now secured the series; however, they are not content with that and want to go on to be successful in this tournament too. The women showed that they are more than capable of progressing tomorrow to the final, with only small margins costing us against China in the last group match.
"Day 2 is the business end of the tournament. Our physios and S&C coaches are worth their weight in gold and will do all they can to get the players ready for Sunday.”
Information and photo source : Hong Kong China Rugby
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