HKFC hang on to beat Valley to take men’s rugby premiership for second straight season
- The Hong Kong Football Club downed Valley in a nail-biting game as the first try came in the 78th minute
- The premiership play-offs are now set as HKFC play Sandy Bay while Valley take on Scottish
Natixis Hong Kong Football Club had to earn their second straight Saxo Markets Premiership title on Saturday against a stubborn Societe Generale Valley club, who they beat 15-10 at Happy Valley.
Fans had to wait until the 78th minute for a try to be scored, as full-back Whiria Meltzer gave Valley a fighting chance, but they were unable to close the gap and could not muster a final goal line push as the seconds wound down on the game.
HKFC coach Jack Wiggins, who has now won two titles in as many years at the helm for the side, said he was proud of the effort that put his team back as the favourites heading into the two round play-offs, which will end with the Grand Championship Final on February 8.
“We controlled territory and possession well in the first half,” said Wiggins. “We didn’t over play and took the points when they were on offer.
“We knew it would be tight and I was happy with our approach at the end. We could have got in under the sticks for seven points, but the momentum changes and suddenly we are down to the wire. The character we showed at the end to hold them off and come away with the win was huge.”
However the play-offs did not go to script last season as Cinderella side Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay, who spent most of the season in the basement when it came to the standings, ended up winning the Grand Final over Bloomberg HK Scottish in another thrilling final game of the season. Wiggins said they will not be surprised this year heading into the play-offs.
“It is always a challenge to repeat. We made our mark in the first year, but I think we are a better team now than last year. We proved that over a 10-game season we are the best team, but now it is knockout rugby. Last year we fell short in the semi-finals. We were hurting bad after that. Our goal this year has been to win everything on offer.”
In the other game of the day Scottish beat Sandy Bay 25-17, who claimed the final play-off spot once again. Wiggins said play-offs were a different beast given it comes down to who has it on a specific day, not over the course of a whole gruelling season.
“[The play-offs] are the most difficult to win, because it is a one-off game and you have to be on it. We are in a good place and hopefully we can prepare well over the next two weeks and hit the ground running.”
