Match Preview

The second round of the Saxo Capital Markets Premiership kicks off in earnest tomorrow, with Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay squaring off against USRC Tigers at So Kon Po.

The Bay sit in fifth position on the ladder with five rounds remaining but only eight points separate the top five teams, with Tigers trailing seven points adrift at the basement.

With only four teams progressing to the Grand Championship knockouts in February, all coaches will be acutely aware of the diminishing runway as their teams hurtle towards the Christmas break.

Sandy Bay have the benefit of four “home” games on the chlorophyll-infested grass at So Kon Po Recreation Ground, their temporary residence for the season while the Gee has a new roof fitted.

The two teams met only last week, in the final round of the Challenge Trophy, with the Bay squeaking home near the death with a charge down debut try to Rodrigo Castanheira. The final score was 29-24 with Tigers never ceding the lead until that final act. Brett Wilkinson’s men will need to be quicker out of the gate in the upcoming matches and not over-relying on their ability last the full eight and to come from behind.

Wilkinson welcomes back his Internationals – Liam Slatem, Alex Post, Mark Prior, Seb Brien and Guy Spanton –from the Hong Kong tour to Spain and Belgium.

Alex Post knuckles down against Dan Barlow in round 1. Photo courtesy of HKRU.

Bolter, Cole Mosychuk, continues to impress and is rewarded with another start on the blindside flank, joining back row colleagues, Luke van der Smit and Dean Rossouw, who will look to get on top of the Tigers flank crew. Lawrence Babe locks up with Prior in the second row while Post is joined by bookends, Ash Hyde and Zac Cinnamond.

Lawrence Babe soars high against Tigers in round 1. Photo courtesy of HKRU.

Slatem anchors a steady looking international backline formation. The South African scrum-half is joined by flyhalf Nik Cumming (Kiwi), scorer of a scorching hattrick last weekend, midfielders Gair Currie (Scot) and Spanton (HK/Australian). While the outside backs consist of Brien (HK), Iwan Phillips (Welsh) and Simon Bienvenu (French).

Seb Brien scored the winner against Tigers in round 1. Photo courtesy of HKRU.

The Bay bench will also surely play its part with Wilkinson having some real selection challenges at this stage of the season. Jack Metters, leading points scorer this season, can cover most positions in the back line and is joined by the versatile George Humphreys who plays 10/15 while Brandon Bellamin can cover any of the midfield and outside positions. This week it’s front rowers Sunia Fameitau, Ben Featherstone and Callum Tam that will make their mark from the bench while Alexis Brochet and Moses Bailey ably cover the second and back rows.

Dean Rossouw in action against Tigers in round 1. Photo courtesy of HKRU.

The two sides have met twice this season – with the first round Premiership match shaded by Sandy Bay 21-13 in a scrappy Thursday night encounter.

The season is wide open at this point with just three games remaining before the holiday break. Any coach would like to feel safe after the 14th December match but there will no doubt be more twists in the plot with just two matches remaining on 11th and 18th January.

Four means teams and one boys team play at So Kon Po tomorrow while the Storm are at KGV, talking about a revolution.

Come on down and support the teams but please remember that there is a booze ban at So Kon Po, bags will be searched on arrival.

Following the matches, all teams will head to Rula Bula for the casual Xmas Party, no door charge - just pay as you go.

Up the Bay!

Fixtures - Saturday 30th November
1:15pm@SKP Raiders v HKFC Bulls
2:30pm@SKP U11 Boys V USRC Tigers U11 boys (curtain raiser)
3:00pm@SKP Prems v USRC Tigers
4:30pm@SKP Vikings v USRC Tigers
6:00pm@SKP Marauders v USRC Tigers
6:00pm@KGV Storm v Revolution

Liam Slatem in action against Tigers in round 1. Photo courtesy of HKRU.