Valley leaving no stone unturned in bid to continue Hong Kong Premiership success, says skipper Tom Broughton
The 30-year-old says the reigning grand champions are getting “better and better” every year after commanding win over HK Scottish
A Societe Generale Valley side that co-captain Tom Broughton says is getting “better and better” every year have stepped up their efforts to land a second successive league and grand championship double.
As of this week the powerhouses added a third session to their weekly schedule and it paid immediate dividends, with Valley thumping Bloomberg HK Scottish 29-3 in the Hong Kong Premiership on Saturday to all but seal the league championship.
“We’ve put a big focus on the next month,” Broughton said.
“We’ve started training on a Monday as well just doing a bit of video work. We are building nicely.”
New Zealander Broughton, who shares the Valley captaincy duties with Matt Rosslee, is in his third season at the club and praised their winning culture.
“Every rugby club likes to think they have got a good culture, but I truly believe we have got a great one at Valley,” said Broughton.
“We are a successful club on the field and we have got a great vibe off the field. We have got a massive group watching here today.”
As Hong Kong keep finding top coaches in Wales, can they grab a few future stars while they’re at it?
Broughton spent a year in the wider training squad for New Zealand National Provincial Championship side Canterbury before heading to Melbourne for three years.
The 30-year-old spent his time there playing for Power House and is thriving on the opportunity to run out with a unique mix of players at Valley.
“You are playing with guys that have played all around the world at a high standard and they all bring something different to the team,” he said. “It’s awesome.”
In a sign that Valley are indeed peaking at the right time of year, coach Andrew Kelly admitted that the win over Scottish was up there with his side’s best of the year.
“I think focus wise it is probably up there,” Kelly said.
Toby Fenn ready to get thrown in the deep end in Fiji as Valley post commanding win
“The guys were really clued in, stuck to the systems we were after and I thought the defence was great. Only letting in three points was superb.”
After Scottish scored first through a penalty to fly half Gregor McNeish, Valley pulled clear courtesy of tries to Tiger Bax, Grant Kemp, Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi and Rosslee, along with a penalty try to round out the rout.
The win puts Valley five points clear of Scottish on top of the table and their far superior points difference means that even a loss next week shouldn’t prevent them claiming the league championship.
Lacrosse stint in England fuels fire for Hong Kong Sevens hopeful Charlie Higson-Smith
Scottish must now beat Kowloon in their final match of the minor round to finish second and earn a week off in the first week of finals after Kowloon posted a 37-20 victory over Natixis HKFC.
In the weekend’s other match, Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC edged Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers 24-20.
