亞洲七人欖球系列賽2023：首站賽果 ASIA RUGBY SEVENS SERIES 2023: HONG KONG CHINA FALL SHORT OF GOLD

日本男、女子隊雙雙包攬「亞洲七人欖球系列賽」韓國站賽事冠軍。

中國香港女子隊第二日甫開賽，則於準決賽面對其後封后的日本。日本隊防守嚴密，並能把握一些抄截機會迅速得分，充分發揮其速度優勢。

儘管港隊於組織進攻亦表現出色，惟屢被攔截失球，即便於開球後亦難以維持控球。

然而，港隊亦奮力反撲，包括莊嘉欣一記精彩的攔截，阻止比分被進一步拉開；另高香慧的達陣，終為比數增添至27-7。

其後，女子隊與泰國爭奪第三名，雙方爭持不下。陳穎首先為中國香港隊突破得分；另何維銨把握隊友高香慧的一記短傳後快刀斬亂麻，直搗黃龍而成功達陣，獲得賽事評論員的高度讚揚。

惜港隊最終仍無法找回比賽節奏，應對泰國隊施壓，以22-14告負。

在男子賽事中，中國香港隊在準決賽擊敗南韓。丹馬克(Max Denmark)接應並傳球至 Liam Herbert完成達陣，為賽事打響頭炮。 縱然南韓反撃亦頗具威脅，然而，港隊把握對手無壓力失誤，並再成功達陣兩次，以19-5完賽。

男子決賽向來戰況激烈，港隊望能為較早前在小組賽敗陣日本重振旗鼓。然而，日本隊於整場賽事維持更多控球權，並充分利用他們在外線的速度優勢，港隊苦無突破機會。

換邊之後，香港隊表現更具威脅，丹馬克( Max Denmark)與Liam Herbert合作無間。兩隊龍爭虎，直至最後一刻，日本隊僅以12-10，奪得金牌。

A highly competitive day two in Korea saw the Japan men’s and women’s team crowned the winners of round one in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series.

Hong Kong women began their day with a semi-final match up against eventual tournament winners Japan, who applied good defensive line pressure, won themselves a number of turnovers, and went on to score quickly, putting their impressive speedsters to good use.

Although Hong Kong’s set piece looked strong, they lost the ball a number of times in contact and struggled to secure the ball after kickoff.

There were some special moments for Hong Kong’s fans however, with a memorable try-saving tackle from Ka Yan Chong, and a great try down the middle of the park from Natasha Olson-Thorne. 27-7

The women then went on to play Thailand for third place, in a tight contest that featured highs and lows for both teams. Chloe Chan made an excellent break to score Hong Kong’s first points, and a great short ball popped up from Jess Ho to Natasha Olson-Thorne ensured she was able to take another run and dot down, earning her some well-deserved praise from the commentary team - ‘a hot knife through butter’.

Ultimately Thailand’s improved patience and pressure application proved too much for Hong Kong, who never managed to get fully on track in the second half. 22-14

On the men’s side, they won their semi-final against South Korea, and Hong Kong’s audience would have been pleased to see Max Denmark looking dangerous early as he collected a loose pass and got it away to Liam Herbert to open the account.

Although Korea looked threatening on attack at times, Hong Kong continued to capitalise on their unforced errors and scored twice more to finish the semi at 19-5.

The men’s final was always going to be a big contest, with Hong Kong looking to settle a score after an earlier pool play loss to Japan. However, the Japanese side maintained a lot of possession and used their speed on the outside to full effect to keep Hong Kong at bay.

Hong Kong looked a lot more intimidating in the second half, boosted by a strong lineout and cohesive partnership between Max Denmark and Liam Herbert. The game is tight and goes right down to a nailbiter the final whistle, but Japan hold on to take the gold. 10-12.

The overall result means the men settle for silver while the women take 4th place - we're looking forward to seeing how they progress at the 19th Asian Games next month.

Information and Photo source : Hong Kong China Rugby