Photo: May James Photography
The Hong Kong Sevens Qualifiers officially kicked off at So Kon Po this morning, with teams eager to secure a strong start to the two-day tournament.
This proved elusive at first from a Hong Kong perspective; a late comeback led by tries from Chong Ka-yan and Shum Wai-sum were positives in a 22-14 opening loss to Papua New Guinea.
Hong Kong would find little luck in the next game with a 36-5 setback against Kenya, though many sections of the Hong Kong support shared in the celebrations as USRC Tigers' Sarah Lucas clinched her first Hong Kong Sevens try.
Thankfully, this early setback served to galvanise the side, as Iain Monaghan's charges took to the pitch against Uganda with renewed energy and purpose.
Photo credit: May James Photography
Gai Wu's Chong Ka-yan set the tone for a Hong Kong blitz, surging into space on the left wing with her trademark acceleration after brilliant play from 18-year-old Amy Pyle, notching their first try 2 minutes into the game.
There was to be little rest for Uganda, as Lucas sent Vivian Poon through to grab Hong Kong's second try of the game a minute later.
A penalty try just before half-time was followed up with a captain's try as Melody Li drove the ball across the line and a consolation try from their opponents did little to dampen the feel-good factor permeating the Hong Kong camp.
Hong Kong veteran Royce Chan praised with Hong Kong's latest performance in her commentary.
"The first half was awesome by Hong Kong - they managed to keep possession, speed and kept moving the ball around," said the Hong Kong Football Club forward.
"If that wasn't working, we set the ruck, stayed patient and scored again."
Hong Kong Women's Sevens face Japan at 11.06am, with the Hong Kong Men taking on the Philippines at 1.24pm and Zimbabwe at 4.30pm tomorrow. Full fixtures available here.