It was a nail-biter, but Valley hung on to claim the 2012-13 title in a low-scoring affair at Kings Park, Hong Kong, on Saturday March 2.
ONEwork’s Valley clung to the narrowest of margins to win a memorable 15-16 victory in the the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union Premiership Grand Championship Final against Leighton Asia HKCC (Hong Kong Cricket Club). But as expected, it was a very close match and no push-over.
The last 10 minutes of the match in particular were tense and frenetic for the fans of both sides.
Leighton Asia HKCC opened the scoring three minutes into the game from a penalty awarded 30 metres from the Valley line and Ed Haynes slotted the ball over for three points. It was not until two minutes before the break that Valley equalised, making the score 3-3 at half time.
Valley scored a superb try three minutes into the second half with an almost unchallenged run to the corner by Salom Yiu. The conversion was missed, but it put Valley 3-8 in the lead.
A try by Ed Haynes at the opposite corner flag five minutes later pulled HKCC back on level terms, again the conversion slipped past the post. Valley cashed-in on a penalty opportunity mid-way through the half to push the score to 8-11 in their favour.
A try by Damian Bailey with a conversion from the side line by Ed Haynes put HKCC in the lead 15-11 with 15 minutes left to play. But Valley fought back and pushed over again at the corner flag to edge them in front at 15-16.
It was a tense last 12 minutes with HKCC virtually camped on the Valley line, but magnificently, Valley held on for the win.
Players and fans were obviously delighted.
Other Matches
The HKRFU Premiership Grand Championship Final was the climax to a day of nine finals held at the King’s Park ground on Saturday March 2. Grand Championship Finals included Premier, Premier-A, Women’s and Community League matches.
In the other Finals, Newedge Club Dragons beat Abacus Kowloon in the Premiership-A and Newedge Club Scorpions beat Leighton Asia HKCC in the Community League-1 Final.
The women’s 15’s Final was won 7-0 by Gai Wu Ladies playing against SCAA Standard Life CWB Phoenix.
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