Resurgent HKFC and battling Tigers add shock potential to Premiership match-ups

While most fans will be focusing on the Premiership’s top three teams come Saturday, two of the clubs at the foot of the table may offer a few surprises if last weekend’s competition is anything to go by.

Natixis HKFC – who last Saturday dealt Leighton Asia HKCC their first defeat of the season – will come out all guns blazing against Bloomberg HK Scottish as they bid to move into the top four and seal a place in the end-of-season Grand Championship play-offs

Hong Kong Football Club director of rugby Kevin West believes his team have turned a corner following last week’s 16-8 triumph over the league leaders, and he is keen to see that momentum continue as they host second-placed HK Scottish at Sports Road on Saturday.

“That win [over HKCC] was significant for us on a number of levels, not least because it was against the league leaders and also because we were short of a number of players,” West said.

Fly-half Niall Rowark scored all 16 points for HKFC, including a second-half try, as they won only their second game in seven attempts. The win drew them level on points with fourth-placed Abacus Kowloon, but narrowly behind on point difference.

With only the top four entering the Grand Championship, West admitted that is the only realistic goal left to his team after their poor start has already put the league title out of reach.