Sandy Bay blitzed the Tigers at King’s Park this afternoon – racing out to a bonus point in the first half after tries from wings Jack Metters and Sebastian Brien, fullback Angus Cameron and hooker Alexander Post.

Metters added a penalty and three conversions to give Sandy Bay a 29-7 lead at the half, with fly-half Liam Gallaher accounting for Tigers’ only try of the half and full-back Robbie Keith adding the conversion.

Tigers fought hard to reduce the gap after the break, ultimately pulling to within 10 points with ten minutes remaining. Wing Casey Stone started the fight back with his 44th minute try, Keith’s conversion bringing the score to 29-14. Their effort was derailed by a yellow card against scrumhalf Cado Lee shortly after Stone’s try, which soon created space for Lee’s opposite number Liam Slatem to score as Sandy Bay pushed its lead to 36-14 after Metters’ conversion.

Keith replied with a converted try to narrow the margin once again, this time to 15 points 36-21. Tigers were then given another chance when Sandy Bay flanker Matt Lamming was sin-binned. Zac Hrstich capitalized with a try to pull Tigers to within eight points after the conversion from Keith left the score at 36-28.

Having been on the wrong end of numerous close losses this year, Sandy Bay refused to be drawn into another tight affair and exploded for two tries in the final minutes as Hong Kong backs Tom McQueen and Seb Brien scored in the late stages to see Sandy Bay run out 48-28 winners.