It’s that time of year again when the world comes to play in Hong Kong, a shiny new stadium in Kai Tak awaits. It’s also that time of year when a slightly lesser known 10’s tournament takes place. The Kowloon RugbyFest.

This year the mighty Valley RFC entering 2 teams, debuting the Gavekal Valley Mens and the Socially Responsible Knackered Nags returning again to dust off their boots having successfully dodged an appointment with the glue factory.

Our 1st game was due to be played at 0945, but thankfully delayed due to the slick organizational skills of the event management team. Thankfully; because at 0940 we had a total of 5 players ready and mostly willing. Our first battle was with the China Fossils who where almost indistinguishable from the Kowloon Beavers (also in our pool). 10’s rugby is 10 minutes straight through and by the 7th minute we had found our stride but also let in 2 tries. Impact player Andy Nicols came on to make some try saving tackles and also found himself on the receiving end of a pass and the try line beckoning, pinning his ears back he reached maximum velocity of 5pmh and fell over the line to score a try, then converted it! The opposition ran in a late one, but in spectacular fashion dropped it in the deadball area, no try. Alas too late, we went down 2 ties to 1.

The second game was a bye as one team of veterans had obviously forgotten their green octopus cards and failed to show up. A win for The Nags.

Next in line were the Kowloon Beavers i.e. the same team we lost to in the 1st game. The rigorous and thorough training that The Nags had spent in between games (zero) paid off and a much more cohesive team defended strongly with some big tackles winning a great game narrowly by 5-0 with Andy Nicols falling over line again to make him top try scorer thus far.

Next up in our path to glory was a touring team from Sydney, Brent scoring 2 notable tries as the least likely frame to be playing fly half and some thundering runs from Lucas. Onwards to glory…

Having made it to the finals of the vets tournament we were down to 12 players, from a starting squad of 17, due to injury, a slight concussion to yours truly and work commitments. We faced the Kowloon Beavers, masquerading as the China Fossils. 15 minutes for finals proved to be too much for each team’s stamina and a very pedestrian game ensued. Sadly the Nags lost, allowing Kowloon to win their home tournament.

None the less we still collected some silverware as runners up and semi victory beers still tasted pretty good. An excellent turn out with Freddie and Oly lacing up the boots nearly in their 60th year, well done gents!