U12B Richard Hawkes Cup Final - HKU1

Match report by Pete Grout

Nerves were evident, there was an uneasiness over the grandstands as the temperature started rising quickly at the Football club. Bakkies Barnes (U9 rugby Coach and fanatic) decided a trip to the beer tent was in order to quell tensions and for pure survival ......he wasn’t wrong .... up to now was all parent perspective.

The Richard Hawkes Cup is at stake ....... anybody who plays rugby under the age of 14 in Hong Kong knows this was going to be a big day out.... who would take the Cup and Bragging rights? After a stellar season HKU1 were definitely the favourites......but hey ...this is why they call it SPORT.

Kickoff, versus DBP
It became obvious that things were not right; our normally ice cool, unflappable, clinical, laser focused demeanor was not on display. The boys are making a myriad of simple errors, dropping balls that would not normally be dropped, missing tackles that would not normally be missed ........nerves ...... BANG, Pirates run in a try .......the Sandy Bay crowd are like stunned mullets. The Boys are trying, but as the temperature soars higher it looks like it is going to be a long day ....Bakkies looks back at Coach Pops and I, and states “the team are choking , right??” He’s watched this team a lot and knows something is not right. We nod solemnly. He dispatches Coach Pop to the tent for more refreshments.

After what seems ages, the team starts to come together, Coops’ trying desperately to make plays, to create a spark ...eventually we regroup and a try-fest is ignited for a convincing 5 tries to 1. The momentum is starting to build.

Second match, vs. USRC2.
We are starting to get into a stride, not as confident as usual but steadily improving, we are starting to do the things we usually do well better. One stand-out moment was a local Dolph Lundgren lookalike coming off the bench for USRC who I’ve never been seen before – looks about 16. Nonetheless within minutes he’s tackled into touch and is unceremoniously carried off. This cheers our boys up and they continue to improve. We win the match 5-2. Bakkies tells me to go fetch more ointment from the Keep COVID at Bay Tent ...to calm nerves before the final.

Cup Finals, versus HKFC1
A bit of history, we have given this team the appropriate respect in the past for good reason – always great competitors. The only team to beat us in the tournament so far was a runaway try in the last minute by Valley -2 weeks previously at Kings Park, other than that we have an unblemished record.
The temperature is still rising, out of the air-conditioned change rooms the Football Club team appears. Home advantage Football Club style. We are on the ropes from the beginning - the heat is getting to us, fatigue is setting in. Our backs are getting sucked into the rucks, I even see Kayden, one of our smaller players regularly amongst the ruck getting sucked in, fighting valiantly for the ball. The football club is picking its way through the big gaps off the ruck. We seem to have conceded a lot of penalties. The football club have controlled the first half. Some great defending by all the boys but it’s not enough. By half time we are 3 points down. The mood is somber ......the air is thick, heavy, polluted. Football club at its best .

After half time we start to come back, these young boys are professionals -they know what’s at stake and that they have to move fast to level the score. We are making progress. The boys are doing what they have to do, Xavier scores a nice try, he’s been on his game today 4 out of the 11 tries scored in total. Even with all the tackling (I always have to mention Joshua Poppleton here as he makes more than his fair share) is not enough. Football club are sucking us in. Then spreading the ball wide. Overlaps everywhere. The football club slow the game so much, it’s getting sickening to watch. Tactically they are playing a shrewd game. “Too little too late” ( I did not coin that phrase .....it’s been around since the Vikings routed Europe in the late 800’s) . The final whistle blows ..... it goads me to say it but FC deserved this victory. A team that hadn’t reached their potential in the past yet played a great tactical game . Every village dog has its day (I think that’s also Viking speak??)

This group of young boys are fantastic. Young warriors. They have played well as a team all season. They are friends through rugby. They play hard. They play fair. They conduct themselves as champions even in a loss.
They are quite rightly proud of their team. Proud to be part of the team. Even in this harsh loss they carry themselves well, hands are shaken, refs are thanked. Sandy Bay style.....this is Rugby.

Players -

RYUTO- a fast wing , knows his position well , prolific try scorer
LUCA - a strong ball carrier , good on defense ,solid player
KADYN- a scrappy player , who reads the game well , a playmaker
KIAN- a strong ball carrier , good on defense , a playmaker
COOPER- thinks/ plays the game at a higher level in all aspects , flair, tackles hard
JACK - a strong ball carrier, good defense , dependable
MILO- a strong ball carrier , good on defense , hard-working
XAVIER- a fast wing , good defense , a prolific try scorer
CHIAKI- strong ball carrier and on defense , hardworking, a dependable player
JOSHUA- thinks and plays at a high level , playmaker , great defense
HENRY- a scrappy player, huge tackles , dependable, makes good runs

Thanks to Coaches JJ, Scott, Brendan, David C, Dirk , Rich , David W , Silvan and Seb for your time , commitment, care and nurturing of these fine boys . You’ve given them a solid foundation; they can all be great players if they choose going forward.

We salute you Coaches and Players.