U12B - A Cracking Start !

The Richard Hawke's cup has been contested by the U12 Boys since the 2000/01 season ahead of their "graduation" from Mini Rugby.
It was set up to recognise the contribution of Richard Hawkes, Hong Kong Chief District Court judge, former New Zealand Davis Cup tennis player and popular mini rugby coach for the Hong Kong Football Club. This year, teams play 3 matches a week over 3 weeks. With the tournament cancelled for the U12's in 2020/21, we are very grateful to everyone who worked so hard to enable it to take place this year with full adherence to COVID19 guidelines.

Our U12 boys started the 2020/21 Sandy Bay campaign with games against Valley Fort 1, USRC Tigers 1 and HK Football Club 1.

Match 1, against Valley Fort, was a nervy start by both sides as they got into their stride. Sandy Bay kept the pressure on securing the first try of the match - but Valley Fort responded not long after with a full length run of the pitch to even things up. It wasn't long before Sandy Bay responded with another try making it 2-1 at the water break.

The team were clearly refreshed and ready after the quick break and in the second half they demonstrated their strength as a team with two superb tries with input from the whole team from one side of the pitch to the other and through to score each time.

The final score HKU1 4 v Valley Fort 1 - Sandy Bay held their heads high going into the break before the second match.

Match 2, against USRC Tigers was a feast of rugby to watch - from the get go, Sandy Bay kept the pressure on, demonstrating their abilities at the scrum and line out and powerful tries down the wing. The Sandy Bay boys scored four tries before the water break.

The boys, refreshed, came back from the break strongly - with a full length of the pitch try, and a fantastic turnover steal and storm to score the 6th try. The final try for Sandy Bay came from a great ruck, releasing the backs to score. USRC Tigers scored a great consolation try in the dying seconds of the match - really good to see they maintained their focus despite the inevitable outcome of the match by then.

The final score HKU1 7 v USRC Tigers 1

Match 3 - formidable opponents over the years, HKFC didn't disappoint today either. Right from kick off, HKFC applied significant pressure on the Sandy Bay team for the first few minutes. Sandy Bay's defense was rock solid and even though HKFC edged closer to the try line, Sandy Bay never gave up. The commitment of the Sandy Bay boys paid off - they were rewarded with a turnover which led to the team storming down the wing to score the first try of the match. Sandy Bay built on this to go on to score another couple of tries either side of the water break.

HKFC kept the team on their toes responding with a try after the second half. The final Sandy Bay try of the match saw the lads pick up a few knocks as they continued battling on to score. With a couple of minutes to go, the Football Club took a very quick tap penalty to score. A great lesson in staying focussed at all times for our boys. However, with the final whistle just a minute away, the late try wasn't enough to overcome Sandy Bay!

The final score HKU1 4 v HK Football Club 2

Three wins out of three. A few bumps and tired legs but some huge smiles - those boys played with passion and did the club proud!
Looking forward to their next round of games in a couple of weeks!