[SCMP Archive] HKIS’ speedy rugby team prevails

[First published on Nov 16, 1985] Hong Kong International School B weathered a spirited late really by South Island School’s forwards to register their first win of the season by 16-9 at Happy Valley yesterday.

Both teams set a furious pace from the kick off, with the HKIS backs running the ball from all sides of the pitch and SIS relying on their tidier pack to make inroads into their opponents’ 22.

The game was 10 minutes old when referee John Brown spied the International backs encroaching in front of the 10 metre line and awarded the South Islanders a penalty, which Jolyon Hillier goaled well.

Retaliation by HKIS didn’t take long as they came storming back with a concerted move involving both backs and forwards and after putting pressure on the SIS line they found No 8 forward Jim Olsen hurling himself over the line following a lineout maul.

Kelly Ostheller’s conversion went astray but the Repulse Bay school had snatched the lead, only to find SIS return to their deep territory with Stephan Glancy goading his forwards on.

Assisted by some excellent rucking and mauling, the Nam Fung Road team left HKIS domain only after leaving their mark through the untiring effort of No 8 Jason Hipkiss, who burst over for a try from five metres out.