Journey To South America (25/02)
The Hong Kong boys packed their bags and gave their Mummy's a peck on the cheek as they took the flight over to South America to take on the Uruguayans.
In what was a tight and nitty gritty match, the youngsters were holding out the opposition well. Breezy chose to set out a mixed squad of our youngest and oldest players to give some valuable experience to the S16 youths. More Surprisingly the lads held out 20-21 till the very last minute when Corbet barreled through our very own Sushi Fridge, Modegi. It ended in disaster with our U20 players left eating dust as the Uruguayans finished us off in the 80th minute to make it 25-21 and then finally 27-21 with the final conversion. Breezy wasn't happy with the boys performance but couldn't fully complain as we came out with a bonus point (loss). The U20's looked to the future as they had a flight in the afternoon to get over to South Korea for the next match and hopefully some redemption.
In It, To Win It (26/02)
Breezy prepped the team for another big match, this time against Asian rivals South Korea in Seoul.
No risks were taken on that day as Breezy sent out the S14 Veterans in what was to be a hard match to win away from home. The start was nothing but spectacular as the Hong Kong side raced to a 19 point advantage at halftime. In recent shifts to our starting line-up, Hamish Hu was called up to replace the injured Jay Haynes and newcomer Jack Schwalger was given a go at Number 8. At the final siren the score was 24-41 as Hong Kong came away with a destructive victory over Asian rivals, South Korea. A great redemption indeed following the shock loss that the Uruguayans delivered the day before.
Home, Sweet Home (02/03)
The team returned home the day after the Seoul match to be greeted by proud parents and siblings. It was a joyous sight to behold, but U20's Manager Breezy was too busy at the time thinking and planning for the next match at home against the Ivory Coast.
The Ivory Coast team has taken a different route to this Season's World Cup with no S14 veterans included in the squad. Instead, they have brought in their most skillful 17/18 year olds in the hopes of giving them enough valuable experience for the following World Cup. The U20's Manager saw this as an opportunity to use his 17/18 year olds in what was to be a mighty test for the youngsters.
Our U20 players came out swinging with our full S16 forward pack used. Cecil Instone was brought in for 1 match as the niggling injury to Jay Haynes' ankle had not fully healed. This gave Breezy the opportunity to test out new combinations for the Ivory Coast game with Brad Barnes at Scrum Half, Justin Reid Kay at Fly Half and Bryan Hohia at Inside Centre. Modegi-play-a-like, Minarii Apiata, was given a go on the Wing were he dazzled the crowd with multiple linebreaks in the very first half. Our S16 boys impressed the U20's Manager with a feast of tries and linebreaks which lead to the halftime score of 31-7 Hong Kong's way.
That was only the beginning of it, in the second half the Hong Kong side was able to put on another 21 points till the final hooter to make it 52-14. A great victory indeed with Hohia and Hugh both scoring a double. A good way of going into the next round with a bye, most of the boys will be having some valuable rest. But come next week, they will be jetting off to Kenya for another tough match. Hope you all tune in next week!
Breezy,
Under 20's Manager
