It goes into the record books as the highest score conceded in the 2018/19 season but Sandy Bay did salvage some positives through three tries and 24 points of their own in the 54-24 loss at this Super Saturday fixture.

The damage was done in the first 25 minutes with the home team running in 4 tries. Sandy Bay struggled for any possession or phase play, losing the ball at contact on many occasions. The absence of Alex Post, Alex McQueen, Nik Cumming and Seb Brien was noticable even though their replacements did nothing wrong.

The loss makes a semi-final spot look a little more daunting but there is still everything to play for as the Bay and Kowloon look to make ground on USRC Tigers who have 4th spot locked up - while Scottish, Valley and HKFC duel it out for the top two spots and home semi-finals.

Photos courtesy of HKRU.

Excerpt from HKRU website

Natixis HKFC defended its home turf smartly against Sandy Bay with a commanding first half performance that saw the hosts build a 33-13 lead at the break.

Club’s pack did much of the early damage with hooker Campbell Wakely scoring a first half brace, the first after just four minutes, followed by flanker Sam Pim and No.8 Paul Gualino. Fullback Nate de Thierry represented the backs with a try, before Wakely’s second ended the half. Glyn Hughes added four conversions for Club, while Jack Metters converted two first half penalties for Sandy Bay and scored and converted a try on 40 minutes to leave the score at 36-13.

They kept their foot on the gas in the second half to run out 54-24 winners.