Hong Kong U-19s squad round off a successful December for the HKRFU
Joshua Lok
20th December 2016
Player of the Tournament Gregor Ramage kicks off proceedings with Hong Kong's first try against Malaysia inside two minutes.
Photo credit: HKRFU
Hong Kong rugby fans have had much to cheer about in the closing months of 2016, especially with the landmark achievement by the womens' team who have formally secured qualification for the 2017 World Cup in Ireland.
Earlier that day, the U-19s were in Kuala Lumpur for the Asia Rugby U19 Championship, with a spot in next year's World Rugby Junior Trophy Championship up for grabs. To do so, however, they had to negotiate a group of competitors comprising the Top division that included Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Comfortably seeing off the first two teams to the tune of 54-8 and 61-0 respectively, Hong Kong then set their sights on toppling the hosts.
Racing 92's Matt Worley put on an impressive performance in Kuala Lumpur.
Photo credit: HKRFU
In the face of challenging weather conditions, they put on yet another cavalier attacking display that had been the trademark of their tournament, with a hat-trick from Gregor Ramage, braces from Daniel Pusack and James Karton, a try apiece from Kyle Kitney and Cameron Smith and accurate kicking throughout from George Worley making for a final score of 67-10.
Peter Drewett, HKRFU's Head of Elite Coach Development, was highly impressed by his charges.
"It was a great performance from everyone throughout the week and the competition has been a success, especially from the players' perspective," he remarked.
"The Championship has always been a great opportunity to blood young players and judging by the result, the future of Hong Kong rugby is definitely in good hands!"
The victory was all the more laudable given that most of the players had had no prior experience in the competition and means that Hong Kong will join fellow Asian heavyweight Japan in vying for promotion to the World Junior Rugby Championship next August in Uruguay.
Final Standings:
1. Hong Kong
2. Chinese Taipei
3. Sri Lanka
4. Malaysia