Valley 31 - 16 HKFC

Valley ease to league title
Alvin Sallay/SCMP
Photo: Martin Chan/SCMP

The grass was green for Tradition Valley at their beloved home. Playing for the first time this league season on home soil, Valley out-smarted and out-played CBRE Hong Kong Football Club 31-16 to claim the First Division league title last night.

A brace of tries from big, bustling centre Ally McClay knocked the daylights out of Football Club midway through the first half and was the signal for the home team's vocal supporters to start partying.

"Two down, one more to go," said overjoyed Valley coach Brian Higgins referring to his team's total dominance this season. But if you add all the other tournaments at the start of the season, we have overwhelmed the opposition." The Knockout Cup and now the league title are the prize possessions in Valley's overflowing cupboard this season. They have also won preseason events like the Kowloon 10s and the Valley 15s. Now they have just one more piece of silver to get and complete a fantastic 2008-09 season - the Grand Championship.

"The aim is to finish the season unbeaten. It has been a case of taking our opportunities," Higgins said. "The key has been the unity within the club, not just the first team, but throughout the entire club."

Club captain Peter McKee lamented: "Lapses of concentration at key moments in the game cost us. It is hugely disappointing."