Sandy Bay run out of time at HKFC

The bad news: Sandy Bay went down 19 points to 10 against Hong Kong Football Club. The good news: we scored more tries than them, we demonstrated greater ambition and fluidity in attack and had we enjoyed more luck from the kicking tee we might now be reflecting on an impressive away win. The game started as expected with both teams battling ferociously at the breakdown in an attempt to establish an early advantage. The Sandy Bay pack was well marshalled by Brendon Nell from scrum-half as he enjoyed his first start due to co-captain Liam Slatem being rested. This season’s stricter interpretation of the laws meant that the referee’s whistle was a constant, leading to multiple penalties which Football Club were able to translate into a 6 point to nil lead at halftime. The frustration at not getting on the board was tempered by a hugely resolute defence which saw Sandy Bay repel multiple waves of attack on the stroke of halftime without conceding an inch on our own line.

After the break Football Club continued to accumulate penalties, stretching their lead to 12 before they managed to cross the line for a try through a driving mall. Rather than let heads drop, this seemed to spark Sandy Bay into life who began adopting a more expansive game as the phases started to flow. Quick hands meant that Dean Roussouw was able to cross for the Bay’s first points of the game, but time was now against them. Jamie Grist came on at fly-half and impressed immediately with his distribution and overall composure. The highlight of the game however was his sublime chip which he regathered himself before passing to the left for Sandy Bay’s second try of the game. Unfortunately, Nik Cumming suffered a nasty injury in the act of scoring which will see him miss the next few games.

Any loss is tough to swallow but there was plenty to be optimistic about at this stage of the season. Defence was again aggressive and organised, new imports Brendon Nell, Harry Laidler and Jamie Grist all looked sharp, and with two potential gamechangers in the form of Tertius Kruger and Lewis Wilson yet to make their debut the return fixture could well have a very different outcome.