It was another case of “shoulda, coulda, woulda” as the Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay Men’s Premiership team lost against Valley for the third time in the season.

Zac Cinnamond dipping into contact [Photo credit: HKRU]

Mistakes by both sides marred the round nine clash at King’s Park but Sandy Bay’s errors came at crucial killer junctures that could have swung the momentum and the game in their direction.

As early as the first minute of the match, the Bay came perilously close to a five pointer but moments later, Nik Cumming, against all odds, challenged Valley’s Penikolo Latu over the try-line and knocked the ball out of his hands as the big Tongan international looked certain to dot down for Valley’s opening score.

Sunia Fameitau gets lower than most [Photo credit:HKRU]

Neither side was able to exert sustained pressure, but it was Valley who took their chances, eventually nailing the bonus point four tries, including a charge down to Latu.

Sandy Bay dominated the second half and scored two fine tries to Cumming, his seventh of the season, and the dynamic Canadian, Cole Mosychuk who is having a whale of a season with his new Hong Kong club. Jack Metters had chipped in with four from four from the tee to take his season tally to 82. More chances were squandered by forward passes and untimely handling errors.

Cole Mosychuk heads to the sticks [Photo credit:HKRU]

The Bay trailed by just four points for the final quarter of the match but couldn’t manage to convert their domination of possession and territory into a hard-earned victory and to spoil Valley’s chances of the Premiership title.

In the end, it was Valley who had the last say in the 79th minute. A rare foray into the Bay’s red zone resulted in a try under the sticks to replacement hooker, the Creature, securing the bonus point and a 31-20 victory.

Luke van der Smit clears from the scrum {Photo credit: HKRU]

Valley will go on to face HKFC in the final round in a home match that will be a proxy final for the Premiership, with Club ahead on the ladder by just two points.

Meanwhile, HK Scottish have leap frogged Sandy Bay into third spot and the two teams will meet next Saturday at So Kon Po to decide third and fourth spot and the semi final placements.

Sandy Bay have again shown more than enough ability to encourage their fans and themselves that they can beat any team in the league and they’ll have just one more match to build some form of momentum by eliminating errors and maintaining possession that will allow them to inflict damage on their opponents - as they are surely capable of.

Open the window, it’s getting hot in here.

Full match video: https://www.facebook.com/hkusandybayrfc/videos/476169323092123?ref=tahoe

Liam Slatem ducks under a couple [Photo credit:HKRU]