Stunning try provides self-belief for Hong Kong women
Rose Fong lifted Hong Kong into the Cup semi-finals of the Women's Asian Sevens Series with a virtuoso try which will give "self-belief" to the home team as they eye a medal at the Asian Games in Incheon next month.
Rose Fong lifted Hong Kong into the Cup semi-finals of the Women's Asian Sevens Series with a virtuoso try which will give "self-belief" to the home team as they eye a medal at the Asian Games in Incheon next month.
Fong shrugged off the defence to run a sizzling 60 metres in the second half and plant Hong Kong's first try against Asian powerhouse China. Though China won 31-12, the points scored by Hong Kong enabled them to edge Thailand and secure a berth in today's semis.
The girls finally showed in that last game what they are capable of
"The girls finally showed in that last game what they are capable of," said Hong Kong Sports Institute head coach Anna Richards. "In the first half we just gave the ball away and every time we coughed the ball up China scored. China is a great team, they have pace and power, but I thought we really did very well."
Fong, 24, a full-time athlete in the rugby sevens programme at the HKSI, said: "Anna is always telling me to back myself so when I found myself in a little bit of space, I decided to have a go. My mind was screaming run, run, run as well as a few swear words, and it was great to cross the line."
China led 24-0 at the break and it looked as if Hong Kong was heading for the Plate competition after having beaten Sri Lanka 22-0 but being held to a 12-12 draw by Thailand. But Fong infused confidence with her try and this was followed by another great effort from Natasha Olson-Thorne who scored from close range to lift Hong Kong's points differential past the Thais.
