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Alvin Sallay

Hong Kong looked good in beating Sri Lanka, Croatia and Uruguay on their way to a Bowl victory at the Hong Kong Sevens last weekend.

 But that is no consolation at all when one considers the hopes the SAR had before the tournament began.

 Everyone, from chairman of selectors Pieter Schats to other union officials, was talking of the 1999 tournament as being one of Hong Kong's best chances of entering the Cup competition.

 But it was not to be. As has happened so many times in the past, Hong Kong began sluggishly and only gathered momentum as the tournament went on. But by then it was too late. The hopes of emulating the 1989 side had been shattered.

 Former Kowloon stalwart Eamonn McManus and one of the stars who played in that Hong Kong side who entered the Cup (Schats captained the team), was sympathetic to the plight of the class of '99.

 'They had a tough draw. They are a talented side but it was very hard,' said McManus, who was spotted on the final day of the Sevens.

 Back in 1989, the format of the Hong Kong Sevens was different. The team had only to play two games in the preliminary round - and they beat the United States and the Netherlands to top the pool and qualify for the Cup.

 This time, Hong Kong were up against New Zealand, a very impressive Ireland and guts-and-glory Croatia. The Pool of Death as it was dubbed.

 The way to Cup glory was hard. But on reflection, it seemed as if Hong Kong lost out because they lacked match fitness.

 For the first time this year, Hong Kong did not take part in the Fiji Sevens, a fortnight before the local event. This tournament is ideal preparation. Assistant coach Rodney McIntosh admitted it would have suited Hong Kong perfectly if they had played in Fiji.

 'We missed tough match preparation,' said McIntosh, soon after Hong Kong had been relegated to the Bowl competition last Saturday.

 In hindsight, it was clear that Hong Kong also lacked a genuine flier in the team. Chris Gordon, who was struggling with a groin injury before the tournament, was a shadow of his normal self. At the 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens, Gordon showed his dash and flair.

 But this time he seemed to have lost a couple of yards. A clear example was against Ireland, when he was caught 20 metres short of the line despite having started with an advantage as the Irish defence had to back-track.

 Once Luke Nabaro pulled out of the team on the eve of the competition, Hong Kong's speed capabilities hit rock bottom.

 It would have been better if the selectors had brought in Football Club's Matt Reede as a replacement for Nabaro.

 Meanwhile, we lost the chance of witnessing a superb final in the Bowl. China's 17-7 loss to Uruguay in the semi-finals denied spectators the opportunity of watching two teams with links beyond the field. China are coached by former Hong Kong coach George Simpkin and it would have been wonderful if they had made it through. That match would have been steeped in significance - the past taking on the present, perhaps.

 Hong Kong would have won. But China would have put up a better fight than Uruguay.

 Credit must also go to China for winning a match - they beat Singapore 24-19 in the quarter-finals - in only their second appearance at the Hong Kong Sevens.

 With time and resources, China can only improve.



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