D'Acre leads late charge
Four days ago Hamish Bowden turned out in the second row for Hong Kong's crucial game against Japan at the Asian Championships. Last night the nuts-and-bolts forward was playing on the wing for Football Club against Kowloon.
Trading places was not his fault. But it highlighted the problems Club faced as they struggled to field a competitive side against Kowloon, this season's in-form team.
Naturally, the result went in favour of the visitors. But they made heavy weather of it, only finding their feet late in the game - well into the second half.
But with skipper Nigel D'Acre calling the shots and Dean McLoughlin in good support, Kowloon came storming back from a 0-9 deficit at half-time to sweep to a narrow victory.
D'Acre scored all of Kowloon's points - a try, a conversion and three penalties. The midfield general was in unflappable form and came into his own as soon as his pack started going forward.
That only happened in the second half - after Football Club lost both their starting props through injury.
It just aggravated the situation coach Jim Rowark faced before the game began, having to cope with a depleted front row - both hooker Andy Mullins and prop Dougal Finlayson absent - and an equally reduced backline with Chris Gordon and Roger Leeson out.
However, Club started strongly, keeping the pressure on Kowloon and earning the points from three penalties by flyhalf Chris Yates.
The second half was a reversal of fortunes. Kowloon's forwards turned the screws. The scrum kept shunting Club back.
The lineout ball was more efficient and controlled. Rick Shuttleworth began to win all the ball on the ground and put the pressure on Club scrumhalf Alan Clark, disrupting his service.
The turnovers started to come Kowloon's way, as did the penalties.
D'Acre knocked his first one over five minutes into the second half and then scored a crucial try, handling twice, to give Kowloon the advantage. He knocked over a touchline conversion and then two more penalties to give his side a 16-9 lead.
Club came back late in the game with a try by Matt Reede.
Reede's try put Club two points behind. Everything depended on Yates' conversion. He failed, although he should have had a second go because his attempt was unlawfully charged down. But the referee turned a blind eye. Kowloon were worthy winners.
CLUB14 KOWLOON16
