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Andrew Cesare Richardson

The hosts suffered double final defeat at the Hong Kong Lacrosse Open on Sunday, with both the men’s and women’s sides beaten in their showpiece events.
First, the women faced a repeat of last year’s final against Second Era Leaders of Lacrosse (SELL), but could not reverse their defeat of 12 months ago as they went down 16-5. Then the men were unable to retain their title as they lost 10-7 to Shenzhen Lacrosse Development Ltd (SLDL).
Hong Kong players and coaches were able to find positives, however, with women’s forward Lam Wing-yi saying her side “executed our plans well” before their youth was trumped by SELL’s experience.
“I can’t say I’m really disappointed,” said Lam, who scored three times in the defeat. “We came into this game with personal goals we had set ourselves regarding offensive plays – and the goals all came from good teamwork.”

For the men, it was a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive tournament after they beat favourites Fogo 10-5 in the semi-finals. In a topsy-turvy final, played in front of a fervent crowd with both sides receiving raucous support, they were 3-1 ahead at the end of the first quarter and 4-3 behind following the second.
The home side levelled at 7-7 early in the fourth before a collapse saw SLDL score three more.
“I totally believe that the quality is there, but there was a lack of concentration in the middle of the game which cost us greatly,” said Glen To, whose hat-trick was in vain.
But the future appeared bright, with the men’s and women’s sides already the city’s highest-ranked sports teams globally, at No 13 and 16 respectively.
Chan Hon-kei, who coaches the senior and junior men’s teams, felt the under-20s had shown progress despite a 4-3 defeat by Valley Lacrosse leaving them in sixth place.
“Last year, we didn’t perform, and this time, we lost a tight decider against a team with some players who just retired from playing in the men’s team and we were able to tie them until the final 18 seconds,” he said.
The weekend’s youth tournament, contested by under-eights through to under-16s, showcased the six-a-side format that will be played when the sport joins the Olympics in 2028.
It offers a pathway for new fans to start following the game, according to Hong Kong, China Lacrosse Association chairman Warren Allderige.

“Sixes is the preferred international format for two main reasons: one is it requires a smaller field space, fewer places, which allows more countries to field teams,” he said. “Two is it requires a very sophisticated but simpler set of skills.
“It has fewer rules, which means people who aren’t used to lacrosse can understand it more easily. It’s also a much faster game. It’s a similar comparison between rugby 15s and sevens.
“[World Lacrosse] is trying to grow the game. In 2000, there were 20 competing nations. Now it’s nearly 100 – and sixes is the easier way to engage new nations because it’s less equipment, less field space, fewer players and simpler rules.”


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Sanshiro Nakanao (centre, in white) scored twice for Hong Kong’s men as they lost to SLDL in the final. Photo: Hong Kong Lacrosse Open

SELL’s Chisa Kobayashi (white) was a menace with five goals in the final. Photo: Hong Kong Lacrosse Open

Haydn Cheung Hoi-yin (left) in action during Hong Kong’s final defeat. Photo: Hong Kong Lacrosse Open

Hong Kong beat Singapore in nail-biter at Lacrosse Open but Japanese rivals await

Hong Kong’s men began their campaign with victory over Chengdu University. Photo: Hong Kong Lacrosse Open

Hong Kong’s women opened with victory over Chengdu University. Photo: Hong Kong Lacrosse Open

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The Philippines’ Jon Dugenio (left) battles with Hong Kong’s Lai Kwok-wang during a World Lacrosse Super Sixes game at Wong Chuk Hang Sports Ground last December. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Members of the men’s and women’s Hong Kong lacrosse teams take part in a press event to announce the return of the city’s Hong Kong Lacrosse Open in April. Photo: Handout

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Double final defeat for home sides, with men unable to repeat last year’s triumph after women and under-20s see signs of progress


Double final defeat for home sides, with men unable to repeat last year’s triumph after women and under-20s see signs of progress.


Hong Kong teams beaten at Lacrosse Open but Olympics gives youngsters a pathway

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Double final defeat for home sides, with men unable to repeat last year’s triumph after women and under-20s see signs of progress

Double final defeat for home sides, with men unable to repeat last year’s triumph after women and under-20s see signs of progress