ESF sides shine in Hong Kong rugby’s traditional new year youth tournament
- English Schools Foundation boys and girls’ teams win both under-19 encounters
- Hong Kong Clubs Select takes under-16 girls affair, with boys battling it out for a draw
Hong Kong rugby kicked off the new year with its traditional youth tournament on Saturday, and a series of games between club select sides and the English Schools Foundation (ESF).
ESF had the better of the day at Hong Kong Football Club, winning the boys and girls under-19 encounters, 19-10 and 27-26 respectively.
In the day’s under-16 games, the clubs won the girls’ match 12-7, while the two sides drew 12-12 in the boys’ encounter.
It was a successful day all round for ESF, with u19 player Micayla Baltazar, who plays her club rugby at USRC Tigers and attends King George V School, taking home the Larry Abel Trophy for best and fairest player.
James Farndon, general manager of performance at Hong Kong Rugby Union, said he had been impressed by Baltazar’s all round game “notably the number of really positive impacts she had in the match”.
“Micayla made powerful carries, consistently making important yards. Her work rate was excellent and she is a player who clearly sets high standards. Micayla also plays selflessly doing a great deal of the unseen work around the pitch to enable the team to be successful.”
